The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-08-17
The Island AElow Last Nigbt-Speech
by Ross ]. Alexander Of bridge
port-Exeellent Music by the Band
An EnthuatRstfc Meeting.

An Enthusiastic Meeting.
The Tilden and Hendricks club room
on the Island, was we'll filed last night
to hear the remarks of Ross j. Alexan-
der, Esq., the speaker of the evening.
The Wheeling City Band was present
and after a couple of airs the meeting was
called to order by DR.. Chambers, who,
after the calls Tor Mr.. Alexander had
sutslded, introduced that gentleman to
the audience. The speaker opened his
remarks by paying his compliments 10
the htelligencer, for certain misrepre'
sensations of speech he made at Bel
laire, recently, and abuse OF himself. He
then opened his argument, and the way
he did go for the RAIDS and their corrupt
and mismanaged government, was eau
ton. HIS attention was chiefly given to
the unjust ana discriminating taxation
that has existed ard been enforced by
the Federal GoverI ment since the close
of the war. He reasoned logically with
the matter in hand, and IN plain ar
gumentative way explained intelligent
" and satisfactorily the injurious effect
the course OF the party in. power was
having on both the country and people
His remarks were listened to with the
utmost attention and repeatedly applaud
ed. We only regret our space
will not permit a larger synopsis Of
his speech. Some of the points that he
made are too important not to mention.
For instance: He called his hearers at
tention to the fact that Mr.. Hayes was
not the original choice of the convention,
but was merely selected as compromise
by the party and administration leaders,
who could not agree upon any one else to
do their bidding. But Tilden was the
first and unanimous choice OF the whole
Democracy throughout the country in
convention assembled. Hayes never in
tertered or attempted to investigate the
extortionate charges laid AZ the door of
General Noyes, while public officer OF
Hamilton county. But as Park
Goodwin said, Governor Tilden not only
Investigated, but punished the thievery
and corruption in his own city. He
proved blmssf and is so considered by
the New York bar and generally among
his equals. In referring 10 the inequali-
ties OF the tariff, the speaker stated that
diamonds were only assessed at 10 per
cent, while the cloth that we wear on our
backs was made to pay 40 or 30 per cent,
with an ad ualorem duty besides.
To show the manner in which legislation
was had tor the benefit of the bond
holder at the expense of the INDECENT,
he stated that under the law as original
ly framed for the issue of United States
bonds, the interest on certain issues was
made payable in coin and the principal in
currency. After they were all purchased,
law was made'to pay the principal also.
When silver was scarce it was legal to
pay the public debt with it. Now that
it is plenty, it has been demonetized, and
will not answer the purpose. The bond
holder has no taxes to pay, yet he rides
over your roads, bridges, and streets, and
is protected in life and property by your
municipal and state governments, and
you are taxed for it, while he
enjoys all the benefits. Hero was
where reform was needed. The rapid
extinction of the national debt
that was consuming our very vltals, was
the great need of the hour. Economy
and rctrenchment in high places was
what was required to bring about
the need. The Radicals had
promised it for eight years and to-day
they were as far of as ever. They were
too corrupt 10 accomplish change
for the better. Hayes has 8
collar around his throat and could
not attempt, even were he ever SO will
ing. But Tilden had done it and dare dc
it again.
The meeting voted Mr.. Alexander
their hearty thanks for his kindness in
addressing them, and then adjourned tc
meet at the call of the President.