Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-07-16
Democratic Promises.
}. o. SMITH. Secretary.

Among the resolutions adopted at the
Ohio was the following:
Resolrsd That the interests of the industrial
wealth producing classes IL OF param,ant interest
10 the people of the United States. Those whose
labor and enterprise produce wealth should be Sc
cure in its enjoyment. Our warmest sympathy
is extended to the lsboring classes who have beer
thrown out Of employment by the ruinous hnan-
cisl policy and unjIs. legislation of the Republic
car party, and we pledge the Democratic party to
reversal of this policy and to restoration of all
the rights they are entitled to, upon its sscenden
cy to power
"And we pledge the DEMOCRATIC purity
to a reversal of this policy, aud to a
restoration of all the lights they are en-
titled to. upon its ascendeney to power"
indeed. How highly they rate the intel
lgence of 1.-THE laboring clssses" when
they ding them such sop a this. The
Democratic party has been in power for
four years in the House of X presenta
tiyes. where all financial legislation has
originated, and what have they done for
1.-THE laboring classes?" In all tn con
ventions held by that party they have ex-
tended their "yarmest sympathy" AMI
made clsp.trap promises OF relief, but
they cannot point to one solitary act OF
legislation which has been designed or
has had the effect to revive The industries
of the country, the only mode of relief
for the unemployed. Ga the contrary,
by useless, resultless, and extravagant in
vestigations. by reckless and hap.hazsrd
reductions of necessary appropriations.
and by ruinous attempts to change the
tariff and revenue laws, they have been
o constant menace to all manufacturing
and business interests. Particularly is
this true of the session inst closed. SO
utter was their failure TO redeem their
promises OF relief, and so threatening to
the best interests of the country were all
their attempts at legislation, that the Hon.
Hendrick B. Wright, Democratic member
from Pennsylvania, and assumed special
champion of the workingmen, was forced
to protest. We quote from the Con-
gressional Record of April II
Mr.. Wright. When came to this House last
October heard the expectation expressed outside
il not inside, this f1ouse, that Congress was go
ing 10 do something to relieve the condition of the
starving population of the country. We have
been here nearly five months, but we have not
yet done the first thing for the relief of the
starving poor; and my judgment is that Con-
gress is going to adjourn without an effort to do
anything for the relief of the country. Look at
the statistics and you will see that 1000 900
Of men are out Of employment in this land.
Z Mr.. Dunnell Ironically Is not the gentle
man aware that we have tariff bill pending
which is intended to relieve the poor of the
countryi
Mr. Wright. And what kind of tariff bill is
i'll 1t is pretended that it is to increase the
revenues; but ! say il will reduce the revenues of
the country. OF all times, this is the last when
you should sgtate q change of the tariff. The
country is 10 state of disquietude and want
your public industries are all parayzed. To in
troduce q tariff bill now only adds to the sgita-
ton aud makes things worse. ! suppose we
shall go on perhaps for the next two weeks dis
cussing this tariff bill. But the people do not
want II. will venture to say that there is not
upon your tables petition coming from the peo-
pie of the country asking that there be change
in the revenue laws. l will venture TO say that
there is not desk in this hall that does not con-
tain letters upon letters begging Congress not to
interfere with that question.
Mr.. Reed Undressing Mr.. Wright, who spoke
from the republican side Of the House, You
carry this part of your audience.
Mr.. Wright. / came over here in order to get
some encouragement. Laughter. When the
attention Of Congress is called TO the consi1ers.
ton Of change in the tariff laws by petition then
II is our duty TO listen to and obey the popular
WILL bat in heavens name do not disturb the bust
ness of the country with an agitation of this kind
when II is in a worse condition than 1t has been
at any period for the last twenty years. Can
not you permit the men who are engaged in the
Industries Of the country to have a voice in the
formation Of laws which not only affect them but
the whole country Is il the part Of wisdom to
keep them 10 constant state OF alarm They
know not whether TO stop or proceed how to
buy or how to sell. Better for the trade and pros
periiy OF the people did Congress never assemble
The body Is an element to disturb 1t cannot be
content to let well enough alone. Trade, manu-
factures, labor and all the industries the mere
sport OF political adventure Ii is stability and
disposition not to change that assures prosperitv
aod gives labor to the unemployed because on,
people engaged in the industries know the situa
ton and conform to it, Constant change means
constant trouble. and why should Congress desire
TO volunteer in q matter about which il knows so
little
Now, gentlemen on this side must not indulge
the hope, because have come over here to make
asPeech' that have abandoned nv colors or
changed my political situation. TLsughter1 |
shake bands with gentlemen on this side when
they JOIN me 10 oppos ltion to tariff bill that con
tains 10 i no feature that can afford relief Upon
thst subject am with them honestly, fearlessly,
aud earnestly; aud Tor the reason, as Web.ter
said on one occasion, that voice has come nm
from the land or the sea, asking for q change mr.
IN Interference with regard TO the revenues Of
this country. bv the introduction Of bill 10 re-
model the tariff. There has been no such appli
cation. No petition. 20 far as l understand, has
come from the people ofthis country asking for a
change Of the tariff. fCries of THAT is so ~
Mr.. Dwight is not this change proposed by
the democratic majority Of this Housei
~ Mr., Wright--I have no hand nor part nor loi
In II. That assure the gentleman OF.
And this party, thus arraigped by one o
Ito own members, now that political