New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-08-28
1T WAS DIFFERENT THEN.
WHEN MR.. CLEVELAND WROTE TO CHAIR
MAN WILSON.
THE PRESIDENTS ATTITUDE NOW CONTRAsTED
WITH THAT OF sIX WEEKS AGO-NO REVENUE
ELL EVER ALLOWED TO BECOME
Law UNSIGNED BEFORE.
Br TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.I

Br TELEGRAPH TO THE IRIBUNEI
Washington. Aug. 27.-The die was cast when
to-days sitting Of the House OF Representatives
ended and the Gorman-Brice "Bill OF Sale be-
came n law in such a manner as no other revenue
bill ever did before since the foundation or the
Government. II has neither been formally ap-
proved nor disapproved by the Executive, but
like any unmportant and insignificant private
measure overlooked in the expiring hours OF a
session has been allowed 10 go upon the statute
book without such approval. President C'eve-
land has simply shirked his constitutional duty
and thereby earned not only the contempt OF
brave and honest men, irrespective OF party VINO
detest cowardce applaud courage and admire
conscientious devotion TO professsd principles but
the censure OF a large majority OF his party in
both branches OF Congress. who contend that the
least he could do was to give his signature to a
party measure which. 1t is at least pretended Is
a partial fulflment Of party pledges and which
IS all his party car show as the fruit OF twelve
month OF effort in behalf OF the sacred cause OF
tariff reform" He refuses to swallow In public
the dose prepared for him by his party In Con-
,ress and AT the same time lacks the courage to
dash It TO the ground.
AS an irate Democrat to-day remarked: MT
Cleveland Is trying TO do the ostrich act, ana ne
will utterly fail TO succeed. Neither his physcal
nor intellectual proportions will allow that Only
two courses were open TO him; one Was 10 veto
the BILL the other 10 approve II. and ne mas laeu
TO do either in the manner prescribed py Tue
Constitution. II Is said that silence gives con-
sent and / suppose that Is true ana yet the
latest public expressions OF President Cleveland
q, reoord 70 this measure were such as 10 forbid
any sane sensible man to entertain the hope
TIM. no would consent to allow 1t TO become
law unless his opinions should undergo radical
change There is no evidence OF any such radical
change"
MR.. CIEVELANDS REAL VIEWS.
In this relation It Is pertinent to recall some OF
the --latest expressions of Mr. Cleveland In re-
gard 70 the bill which he has to-day allowed to
90 mon the statute book without word OF
public protest or objection These eXpr' ssiohs are
TO be found in the letter which was addressed 10
Chairman Wilson OF the Ways and Means COM
r,ttee and read in the House of Representatives
on July 49, less than SIX weeks ago In the
second paragraph Of that letter he wro'e'
NV public life has been closely related to the
subject. I have so longed for It's accomplishment
and I have often promised Its realization 70 my
feow-countrymen as result or their trust anu
confidence in the Democratic party that hope no
excuse is necessary for my earnest appear 10 you
that I'm this crisis you strenuously insist upon party
honesty and good faith and sturdy adherence 10
Democratic principles I believe these are aoso,
lutely necessary conditions 10 the cohunu"'"'A Va
Democratic existence.
Everybody who present remembers "Ha'
an outburst Of Democratic applause the reading
OF that paragraph provoked. The letter con-
tinued:
I cannot rid myself OF the feeling that this con-
ference will present the best II not the only hope OF
true Democracy Indica tons point TO Its action as
the reliance OF those who desire the genuine fruiton
OF Democratic effort the fulhment OF Democratic
pledges and the redemption Of Democratic promises
70 the people To reconcile differences in the details
comprised within the fixed and well-defned lines OF
nrncipe will not be the sole task Of the conference.
but as 1t seems TO me. Its members VIII also nave
in charge the question whether Democratic prlne'-
ples themselves are to be saved or abandoned Tnere
IS no excuse for mistakng or misapprehending the
feeling and temper OF the rank and ME OF the De-
mocracy. They downcast under the ASSERTION
that their party falls in ability TO manage the Gov
ernment and they apprehensve that enorts
to bring about reform may fail. but they are much
more downcast and apprehensve in their fear that
Democratic principles may be surrendered
PARTY PERFIDY AND DrsHoNOR.
This passage also was received with hearty
Democratic applause. but the demonstration was
tame indeed compared with the uproartOus
shouts OF appreciation that greeted the following:
Every true Democrat and every sincere tarf-re-
former knows that this bill In Its present form and
az II will be submitted the conference falls far
short Of the contamination for which we have long
abored, for which we have suffered defeat without
which In Its anticipation gave US
a raIying cry In our day Of triumph and which
In Its promise Of accomplishment Is interviewer
with Democratic pledges and Democratic success
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