The times., 1897-03-22
MR.. BA|LEY'S DEMOCRACY
1t Opposes the Principle of Free
Raw Materials.
POSITION OF MIR. McMILLIN
The Texas Leader Quotes the Demo-
cratic PlatfoI of 1896 as His
Appeals to Record of Sixteen
Years, But Makes No Criticism.

In view of the approaching debate on
the tariff, which will begin today, the
views of the leader-elect of the Democratic
minority will be OF interest. These views
may not reflect any of the principles OF
the minority report, which will be sub
mitted today, but they will, no doubt, en-
tighten the public as to what kind OF
Democratic doctrine Will he opposed to the
they will he more interesting because 1T is
believed that, with the exception OF Hon.
Benton McAiillin, all of the Democratic
members of the Ways and Means Com
mittee, subscribe TO Mr.. Bailey's economic
propaganda.
Mr. Bailey was outspoken on the sub
iect of free raw material, and what he
considers the true Democratic position on
the subject.
Outlining the general policy of the party.
as he would have it Mr., Bailey said, last
hight, TO u reporter for The Times: 'Our
policy viii be to discuss the tariff bill
as fully and as fairly as the time allows
and, when the debate has been exhausted,
we are ready to take the vote, leaving
the responsibility for the passage of the
bill where it properly belongs with the
Republicans"
Mr.. Bailey was asked To speak with
reference to certain schedules. He said
that there We're, OF course a number of
schedules on which they would expect
to make a direct issue and get vote
but the rules had been reported in such a
way that it would be very difficult 10
get such votes.
He was asked what should be the policy
of the party as to the schedules Which
involved the taxing of free raw material.
Speaking for myself, am unalterably
opp osed to the doctrine of free raw
material and taxing the finished product.
Inmy judgmentit isillogical. .undemocratic,
and indefensible to say that the manufac-
turer may buy his material free OF duty
and then have duty laid on his finished
product Ii is equivalent to asserting
that there is a class of people in this
country who are entitled to buy what
they want free of tax while all the IeSt
of the people shall be compelled to pay
tax on their manufactured comforts and
necessaries of life.'
a departure in Important particulars from
what was generally accepted as Demo
cratic doctrine.
'Oh yes:" he said, Il notice that
there has Eeen such an impression abroad;
and | am informed that / have been Sc
verely attacked in private and public
for this alleged heresy. 1t is very true
that the Democratic platform of 1892
t5o
Congress in the direction of free raw
material. but it is also true that the Bemo-
cratic platform of 1896 onits that in
dorsement and declares for tariff which
shall operate equally and justly upon all
classes and sections without discriminating
against any class or section. This decla-
ration was insertedin the Democratic plat
form at Chicago expressly for the pur-
pose of repudiating the New England doc
trine of free raw material and taxing the
finished product"
Mr. Bailey said that his views applied
to free wool, free coal. free iron, etc, in
the manner he had stated his position.
MI McMiliin was asked if he would state
his views. He has been very busy since
Saturday, and was busy yesterday at the
times calls were made upon him for an
interview. Mr. McMillin, however, said
that the country was familiar with his
views on the tariff. He had been in Con
gress for sixteen years, elected every time
by Democratic constituency, and he still
stood on a Democratic platform. He did
not care to critcse the Democracy or any
one else, nor would he discuss, for the
lack of time and opportunity, the duty
of the party as it might be developed in
the coming debate. Mr.. McMillin, how
ever, left no impression of doubt that he
would continue to advocate the kind of
Democracy on which he had stood re-
peatedly for election, and successfully, for
so many terms in Congress.