The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-09-29
MASSACHUSETTS Politics.
Speech of General Banks mt Charlestown-
Secret Attempt to Defeat the Generals He.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Mennness or Puri-
tnn Politicians.

Secret Attempt to Defeat the Generals Re.
elcction-Characteristic Mennness or Puri-
tan Politicians.
CHARLEsTOwN, Sept. 49, 1870.
The Congressional fight of Massachusetts this
year VIII be transferred from Buffers to Banks
district. General Ben viii be renominated and re-
elected without much show OF opposition, and, even
although Banks Is likely to be returned there will
be determined fight against HIM. In fact the war
has already commenced In the shape OF
secret political or Know Nothing sort OF an
organization in this City, which seeks to
stock the preliminary caucuses and convention
aDd secure the nomination and election OF d. w.
Gooch General Banks Congressional predecessor.
The workings Of this opposition element have been
SO quietly conducted that its full strength was not
dcovered until q day or two since, when as may be
supposed, there was great CONSERVATION among the
friends of General Banks It was clear that some
thing must be done very quickly, and as CharlestOwn
and the Navy Yard the great stronghods 1t was
arranged that General Banks should deliver an ad-
secured FOR the purpose seats for the listening
multitude were To be obtained from one OF the pub
mised but as the hour for the arrival OF General
Banks approached the TACT was disclosed that the
the anti Banks movement and they refused to allow
them for the purpose for which they had
employees, had assembled and when the trick
played upon the meeting had been. dts
were very great. They resolved, however, to make
the best Of 1t and listen to General Banks, If
they could not be provided with the comfort OF
seats.
Having been introduced In complimentary man.
ner. General Banks commenced, expressing his
pleasure at meeting so many OF his fellow citizens
lie was particularly glad TO NEE: them, be-
cause they were entering upon new era
to Examine examine the grave public questions
fairly and squarey. Referring to the position OF the
French empire at this Jime he attributed 1t to the
| that all wa a n tfiN
people at large had voice in the direction pub
lie AFFAIRS. 'If,, he added, 'they had the privilege
do, all their present caamities and woes
might have been avoided The attendance Of
is Of the highest and most solemn Importance, and
| unless the people do so attend the government
shows it In iamentaole s acS Of prosperity and in
der have reference to the future rather than the
past We have saved the government and the liber
ties Of the people, and we must now consider what
to do preserve the sacred institutions OF the gov
| He then paid compliment to the domi-
nant party for ITS success In reducing the
national debt and also expressed admiration
at the manner IN which our millions OF soldier. fell
| industry and generosity, contributed SO much TO-
wards wiping out the millions Of the country's In
| debtedness The republican organization, there
fore, he added, was the one which he appealed to
the people to sustain. The subject of taxation he
a most woS not a1a y was
even the republican party was yet able to
grapple Ii perfectly. Common discussion, universal
| study tile wits OF men and a proper lapse Of time
would work the proper reform. He remembered
that within year the taxes had been reduced eighty
millions, and he hoped for further reduction and
would labor for that end in the future the past
| declaration which excited the applause OF his
hearers. The income tax he declared particularly
offensive ana pledged his untring Efforts TO have it
abolished. He believed that the debt would be paid
voluntarily by the people, and therefore, forced and
obnoxious taxation was unnecessary. The business
OF the country was next In importance TO taxation.
He knew IL was stagnant, but with reduction Of
taxes ana the expenses OF the government IL would
soon revive.
The labor question, too was another problem
| which called for grave deliberations. This govern
ment he said, the first to labor in the direction
or reduction OF the hours OF work, by making
eight hours legal days labor In view OF this ac-
| ton OF the government he asked what more
| could be required The law fOrbidding naval OIL
| cers-mcn who know nothing OF mechanical labor
| from governing skilled labor In our navy yards,
traton he promised would be enforced by President
| Grant He then dwelt at some length upon the
laws enacted by the present administration for The
| protection abroad OF all natives and naturalZed
| citizens or the United States and tie enactments
| placing all citizens upon an equality and allowing
| he claimed was made for the express purpose OF
protecting every class Of people, aud when In few
| months they were called upon 10 cast taeir votes
| he believed they would show wisdom in giving them
to those who had in the past guarded Their interests
and who would guard them with fidelity In future
When General Banks had concluded there was
round OF cheering, and tue workingmcn declared
that they would see him reelected. Subsequently
there were groans and exciting discussions about
the anti Banks element so suddenly discovered, and
the last of the crowd did not disappear until an
hour after The meeting was over.