New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-06-04
RADICAL ON THE TARIFF.
DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.
pieIcs of the German Conservatives
Likely To Be Rejected.

IFRoM THE TRIBUNE BUREAU
washington. June 3.-The framing OF tariff
plank for the ST. Louis convention. TO be held
next month. is the occasion Of almost as much
anxiety 10 prominent Democrats as is the choice
OF nominee Three types Of tariff pronounce
ments have been adopted by as many state con-
ventions, and the national plank must resemble
one Of the three. Mr. Bryan has undoubtedly
struck the keynote Of the Western Democrats
with his radical declaration for free trade, an in
come tax and the wholesale destruction Of the
trusts. Mr.. German. the other hand, has
gone 10 an opposite extreme, which is anything
but attractive 10 the old fashioned Cleveland
Democrats, although ii may please the men
from whom the "sinews Of war will have TO be
obtained Judge Parker's plank, as adopted at
Albany, is materially different from the
Maryland declaration. and is open TO the objec-
ton that it is as equivocaI as the Sage OF
Esopus" himself.
Platforms have more than once defeated the
aspirations Of wouId-be Presidential candidates,
and II is recognized that the tariff plank may
prove stumbling block to the Senator from
Maryland. Both he and his friend Colonel CUT
fey, Of Pennsylvania, are naturally opposed 10
the type Of so-called tariff revision which is de-
manded by the West and which the Western
spellbinders regard as calculated 10 serve their
purpose best. And yet. if Mr.. German adheres
run the danger Of defeat which befeu the con-
servatives in 1892 and in many ways the pres
ent situation IS analogous TO the conditions pre-
vaing that year. Then the free traders won
with radical declaration. Notwithstanding the
fact that the committee on resolutions was con-
sentative. The plank which was reported 10 the
convention Of 1892 read:
We reiterate the oft-repeated doctrines Of the
Democratic party. that the necessity Of the gov
ia ~Tr,~, FFfaV
and whenever a tax is unnecessary it IS un-
Justinable; that when custom house taxation is
levied upon articles OF any kind produced in this
country lhe clr1erence between the cost or labor
here and labor abroad. when such differences
exist, fully measures any possible benefits 10
LABOR ana the enormous additional impOSltlOuS
OF the existing tariff fall with crushing force
upon our farmers and wOrktngmeu. and, for the
mere advantage of the few whom it enriches
exact from labor d grossly unjust share Of the
expenses OF the government; and demand
such a revision OF the tariff laws as will remove
their iniquitous inequalities, tighten their op-
pressions and put them on constitutional and
equitable basis.
But in making reductions IN taxes IT is not
proposed 70 inture any domestic industries. but
rather 10 promote their healthy growth From
the foundation OF this government taxes col
lected at the custom house have been the chief
source OF federal revenue. Such they must con-
tinue 10 be.
Moreover. many industries have come 10 rely
upon legislation for successful continuance. so
that any change OF law must be at every step
regardfuI OF the labor and capital thus involved
The process or reform must be subject IN the
execution 70 this plain dictate OF justice
This plank was discarded. however. and the
following adopted BY & vote OF J64 TO 342:
We denounce the Republican protection as q
fraud, robbery OF the great majority Of the
American people FOR the benefit OF the few. We
declare II 10 be a fundamental principal of the
Democratic party that the federal government
has no constitutional power to impose and col
lect tariff duties except for the purpose OF reve-
nue. only and we demand that the collection Of
oh hall ia tad - no. ties of
the government when honestly and economically
administered.
We denounoe the Mckinley Tariff law enact
I'd by the List CONGRESS IS the eliminating
atrocity % class Legislation We fndorse the
efforts made by the Democrats % the present
Congress 20 modify IT'S most oppressive features
IN the direction OF free "a materials and cheap
manufactured goods that enter into general
consumption. and We promise its repeal as one
OF the heuelCent results that viii follow the
action Of the people Ia intrust!ns power 70 the
Democratic party.
The former IS apparently the pattern after
which the German plank Of this year was
modelled. but that his views will receive the
support Of the convention seems 20 be a matter
Of grave doubt
Regardless Of what Mr.. Bryaus personal in
huence in the convention may be. his declaration
that the tariff creates the trusts. and that It
should be removed from all trust made goods.
which means almost all classes Of goods very
meet with considerable favor Notwithstanding
the fact that II has been demonstrated I'm re-
cent Congress debates over and over again that
England. free trade country. has more trusts
than any other nation in the world Every
Democrat who essayed TO discuss the tarirf at
the last session Of Congress began and ended
his argument with the assertion that the tariff
was responsible for the trusts and now thou
sands Of copies OF those speeches are being
mailed 10 the voters and 10 the men who will
be delegates 10 the nstional convention II will
be the occasion OF LITTLE surprise therefore II
the conservative tariff views of Mr.. German are
rejected
Bourke COCkranites and Bryanites viii doubt
less stand shoulder 10 shoulder the floor OF
the St Louis convention, and the Gormanites
will have 10 show an unusual mastery OF tactics
10 prevent the adoption of a free trade anti
trust. cute -wide-Open' tariff plank which,
while accurately representing the views Of a
ajOrity OF the Democracy, will prove painfully
suggestive Of the Wilson bill and all the ills
that followed its enactment.
DOESN'T THINK G0RMAN 4 CANDIDATE