The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1897-05-01
PICTURE FORECAST.
Thos. G. Sherman. Of New fark, Says
Free Silver Will be Successful
Dingley Tariff Bill Digging
the Republican Grave.
New YORK TIma

c. ~ HUI DIT VI hAAIG4 y ~ 49,
anticipate this defeat. l may. how
ever, be permitted TO say that | have
constantly predicted Republican defeat
in both 1898 and 1890. ever since the
night of the elections in 1894. when II
seemed, 10 superficial observation. as II
the Republican party had been restored
10 power for twenty years. Last
October you published a report of some
remarks in a Brooklyn meeting. in
which l distinctly foretold, not only the
great Republican victory of 1896. but
an equally great Republican defeat in
1895 and 1900.
This forecast of the future was not
founded upon any guesswork. but was
based upon long study of political
history and upon knowledge Of the con-
ditions surrounding and controlling the
incoming administration and congress.
have never for one moment shared In
the hopeful views of those Democrats
who believe that the tax on raw wool,
once repealed, would not be restored.
On the contrary. il has been my firm
conviction, constantly expressed. that
the restoration of the Mckinley duties
on wool would be the first act of the
Republican party on its restoration to
power. Neither have ever been
deceived for moment By the ostenta-
tious professions Of Republican
managers during the last campaign as
to moderation in dealing with the tariff
Moderation is impossible to protec-
tionists Each wants something ex
cessiye and outrageous for his own
peculiar benefit; and therefore be is
forced to concede to everyone else the
same excessive privileges. Moreover,
the very certainty which all protection
list managers now feel of defeat in 1900
impels them to excessive impositions
during the short period of their power.
If TREY had any hope Of retaining power
for twenty years they would be content
with more moderate amount of extor
ton prolonged over that period, but as
they know that their time is short they
resemble another parsonage who Is
described, on high authority, as greatly
enraged by this consciousness. They
want TO make as much in their four
years of power as they would be con
tent, under other circumstances. to
make in twenty
For one, do not regret in the least
this prodigious scheme ofpublic plumber
for private benefit This new tariff.
which is. upon all points in which the
protected plunderers are really
interested, from 20 to 30 per cent higher
than the Mckinley tariff, will produce
tremendous reaction in favor of free
trade. The majority against the new
tariff, in 1898, will be greater than the
majority against the Mckinley tariff in
1892, and in 1901 the new president and
congress will be prepared for measure
of far more sweeping reform than even
the original Wilson bill, much more
than the German bill of 1894.
The cause of free trade will take
abundant care of itself. It's victory is
assured. A vastly more important
question just now is; What will be the
effect of this reaction on the currency
question: | regret TO say that all
present appearances indicate that in
1900 the country will be swept over the
silver precipice. The silver men have
complete control over the Democratic
organization, and they will, with
justice, feel so certain Of regaining the
votes of one million gold Democrats. in
the reaction against the Dingley tariff,
that the prospect Of any terms Of
reconciliation being offered on the silver
question is very doubtful. Moreover,
by adherence to the free silver issue,
they will have thirty five electoral votes
guaranteed to them from the mining
states for any kind of tariff. or no tariff
at all, which they would lose on any
other issue. Nothing will induce them
TO risk the loss of these states except
such united action on the part Of New
York, New Jersey and Connecticut as
would convince them that the votes of
those states could certainly be had for
the Democratic party without silver.
and could not probably be had other
wise. But the probability is that by
1900 New York and New Jersey will be
ready to vote for any Democratic ticket
in preference TO any Republican.
The manifest bad faith of the Repub
lican party in postponing the settlement
Of the currency question to the next
session of congress, in which, more
over, it is unlikely that anything what
ever will be agreed upon. is likely to
make gold Democrats feel that the
Republican party cannot be trusted for
any purpose or under any pledges
whatever
Another important question looming
up in the near future is that Of the
income tax. The Democratic party
will certainly be united in 1900 in favor
of some kind of income tax. The New
York brokers, who raised the fund by
means of which litigation against the
income tax of 1894 was successfully
maintained. have entirely forgotten, in
their rejoicing over the dangerous
decision of the supreme court in their