The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-07-27

for free coal and free iron ore?
,,.d,15 Inc PRESIDENT knew too each house ist
duplicity, but with openness and boldness
that always characterized him, Mr.. Cleve-
ways and means committee the hope that
the result he desired should be accom-
TO say it after his conversation as detailed
by Senator Jones. He had right TO dis
courage ii by any proper means But it
was said that the Presidents letter consti-
tuted an encroachment on the prerogatives
OF Congress. His right 10 write. and send
it was right Mr.. Villas quoted the text of
the letter. Was that the language of
man who sought 10 reach beyond his
power. he asked Was ii not rather the
honest Outpouring of a genuine Democrat
addressing his fellow-D Democrats in support
of principles he had so nobly carried
Ny Villas then quoted and ranged along
side Of Mr. Cleveland's utterances. the
could not pass the bill if il did not have
the hearty support OF Mr. Cleveland. AT
the Yery. time when the President was
writing his letter TO Mr.. Wilson" Mr.. Villas
went on dramatically. 1.-THE Senator from
Maryland and his coadiutors were appeal
ing 70 Mr.. Cleveland TO induce him TO sup
port them in an effort to qualify the en-
actment of Democratic principles instead
of cryStalliZing them into law How utter
ly w@nton is this cry of interference now.
Because he has seen fit to throw the
weight of his influence with the House in
favor of Democratic principles, because he
refused to stand with them, they make
his action ground of complaint here and
feren4e." '''''''
PRECEDENTS ESTABLISHED.
Mr.. Villas referred to the fact that Pres
ident Washington came to the same cham
Der occupied by his secretary, TO urge in
persoA the ratification of treaty he had
negotiated. President Jacksons course in
making his views felt by Congress was
also referred to. Mr.. Villas said he was
content to leave to fair minded men
whether the President had wantonly en-
croached on the rights of Congress- The
charge was made that the Senate had been
traduced. Extracts from the letter to Mr..
Wilson were read TO show that the Pres-
dents purpose was not to traduce the Sen
ate, but to plainly state his aspirations to-
ward tariff reform. The President had
stated that the abandonment of that great
honor. '''''''s "O''' &c ps''''Y anu ''''
No one would question but that such an
honorable. The shaft was not aimed at
any Senator. 1t was not a personal ac-
eIed at the Senator from Maryland (dr.
Germany. or the Senator from Missouri,
t4ir Nesu, or the Senator from Arkansas,
Jones), or against any other Senator. The
President understood the situation in the
Senate. He knew the stanch adherence 10
tarin reform of the Senator from Texas
tAtlls), the Senator from Delaware (Gray).
and the two Senator'S from Arkansas
Zones and Berry,. but there was no ar
The Presidents letter was wholly imper-
sonal. Mr.. Villas said the views of the
senator from Maryland (Gorman could
mean only one thing. 1t was effort to
array Democrats together in spirit of
promise of tariff reform. The Wilson bill
had passed amid public acclamation. The
people mad accepted It as the honest exc
when the tariff reform measure reached
the Senate ore and coal were placed on
the dutiable list. Moreover, 1t was debated
week in and week out. The public was
weeried at the debate. yet the Senate
couln reach no result. 1t was at this juno
ture that the Senator from Arkansas
hundred amendments. These were to he
tbe eolntion of The ,rohIo,,o o~S - ~ oo .o
bring the debate to a close. Still the dis
cussion proceeded ffty-seven days. Mr..
of yielding to these amendments. 1t was
ttssentlai 70 ,ile, nave revision OF the existing
TO reinforce a depleted treasury.
FUMING WITH CHAGRIN.
Meantime, under the operation of the
rules of the Senate, we encountered the
!. taunt of our skillful friends on the other
side that we were dumb, we who felt that
we were gagged and smothered by our
anxiety, fuming with chagrin and yet sub
dued by overruling necessity, enjoyed
that blessed freedom of debate which our
rules secure only to the obstructing minor
ity. Can anybody suppose for instant
that there is such compulsion, OF that
there could be such compulsion placed on
Senators by their effort to pass the bill
through the Senate, as TO make them reck-
less Of their obligation under the Consti-
tuition to any other branch OF the legisla-
ture? AsSuredly not sir. Nobody in this
chamber would have pretended so to yield
up in advance the measure of his duty
his recognized obligation. Was not this his
tory well known to the President? Has he
not invariably often sympathize with the
declamatlon OF party loyalty by the distin-
suished Senator from Missouri, the distin-
guished and able Senator from Texas (A1r.
Mills and others upon this floor?
'"rhe President could not know all the
details of this bill. He could only deal
with it in general respects to its prin-
ciple, and therefore he wrote, not to dispar-
age the Senate. not 10 traduce a Senator.
He was not only excused. but justified, and
his countrymen will justify him and Gp-
plaud, as they have already done, his un-
fiinching fidelity to his views 1t is not
resentment that / feel for the distinguished
Senator from Maryland. The consequence
10 him of this assault on the chief magis-
tr-te in the judgment of his fellOw-country
men he must endure, for, in my humble
opinion, he has made a mistake He has
made fearful mistake. The American
people will never tolerate in any man treat
ment of this nature of their great chief
magistrate, except on ground so solid as
would warrant accusation against him,
even accusation i'm form and manner.
Not only in his official capacity, but also
in his admirable his wonderful individ-
known 10 every man of intelligence and
strength of mind. Grover Cleveland stands
perfectly recognized as himself, the full
measure of man worthy OF his great
office. He is not now for the first time
President, but with a peculiar glory shared
by no other hitherto. he is a second time
President after a defeat for reelection
which all his cOuntrymen knew augmented
his honor, not diminished it. None, he,
was ever third time nominated and a
second time elected None, as he, ever did
right rather than be President, and by his
cOurageOu rectitude won the confidence
and became President again. Above ALL
how ShOckingly inOpportune comes this ac-
of character He had but just won the
applauding admiration; nay, more, devoted
respect of the entire people of this land
by tie fidelity by which he has maintained
the Constitution and the laws in a trying
emergency, and by the tenderness and eau
tOn which at the same time he displayed
in the use of the Nations mighty power
i'm his hands, by the noble dignity of his
figure as, with serene and unruffied com
pOsure and Justice. he ruled that storm
which for time seemed TO our minds tC
threaten civil composure.
CLEVELAND IN HISTORY
''The Senator from Maryland, | fear must
Grover Cleveland can suffer no impairment
of his stature in history from this unjusti-
fable assault. He will stand as he de-
serves to stand, conspicuous in the noble
line of illustrious public servants of his
country, and long years hence, when the
actors of to-day's tempestuOus scene shall
have passed away the accessories of our
political strike the misunderstanding. the
msinterpretation and all uncharitabIeness
he N oblivion h.a ia