The Cecil Whig., 1882-11-04
THE IMPORTANCE OF MR.. BLAIR S
ELECTION

Ctli ucIHIItt ltl ,thSItSS III luiS-GilS
Second Congressional district of Mary
land.
1t is scarcely necessary, perhaps, for
Us to point to the fact, that the almost
even balance OF parties in the Legislative
branch of the National government for
several years past, has naturally inspir-
ed the Democratic party with tue hope
of obtaining, at an early day, a decided
preponderance of power i'll the National
legislature, and induced on its part, more
than ordinary effort and a most lavish
expenditure of means, with a view to
the realization of that hope.
Unfortunate dissensions. not unusual
among the friends of, and indeed almost
inseparable from, dominant party en-
trusted for number of years with the
administration of government, have furn-
ished additional incentives to the Demo
cratic opposition, and already have been
successfully availed of Gas in Ohio, with
a political wisdom woi thy of imitation,
to increase the strength and the hopes of
the opposition.
That the danger of sim lar results, from
like conditions existing in other Repub-
lican States, is to be feared. it is not the
part f wisdom to conceal, but rather to
prevent, by a closing up Of the Republi-
can ranks, and by ignoring all minor is
sues.
Fortunately, while no dissensions in
respect to the Republican Congressional
candidate in this district exists, of which
advantage can lie taken in the interest of
his Democratic opponent, the political
party Of the latter is by no means har-
monisus. It's Congressional candidate is
Handicapped in the race with the reputa-
ton of having obtained his candidacy a
second time, by Il bargain most obnoxious
to some of his competitors for the nomi-
nation, as well as to their numerous
friends.
The bitter contest among the Cecil
county Democracy over the judicial NOM
ination in this Judicial district, supple
mented by another Democratic cempli
cation i'll the judicial district adjoining
ours on the west, and the independent
candidacy for that district of Hon. Stew
enSon Archer, furnish indication of an
amount of Democratic diSharmony in the
crnnnl fFnn,ryacri,n,1 ,1iy+,;,t
to justify the belief that, with "har-
moned effort" Mr.. Blair may be one OF
three Republican members from Mary
land in the next Congress.
Democratic lust for power is however,
but one, and that the least important of
the elements of the political problem de-
lnanding solution in the pending Com
grcssional canvass. 4 plethoric Nation
al treasury. the result of tariff legislation
which, in amassing revenues in excess of
the actual demands of the government
has protected and sustained American
industries against foregn competition.
furnished To the opponents of the pro
lVSliNC III tlC SSSSltli vi SlCSs
a pretext and an opportunity for deter!n-
ined efforts in favor of the revenue theory
of tariff legislation, to be continued and
consumated at the next session, or by
the next Congress. The Democratic re-
cord on this subject at the last session OF
Congress is conclusive of the fact that
tariff legislation cannot be safely entrust-
ed to that party. and the same record
shows that the Democratic members
from Maryland-among them the pres
ent opponent of Mr. Bair-are all ON the
'crong side Of this preston Of orerShador.
ing Importance 10 tie people cf Cecd roan-
ty, all o: whose interests are so vitally
connected with the prosperity Of their
iron and other important manufacturing
enterprises.
Let it be borne in mind, that with a
Democratic Congress comes a tariff for
revenue only-a long stride in the direc-
ton of free trade-and an abandonment
of the American protective theory of
tariff legislation.
But single reference to the proceed
ings Of the last session of Congress will
show the free trade tendency of the Dem
ocratic party, it being remembered that
the present tariff on iron in which so
large a proportion of the Cecil county
Republicans are interested. is practically
a pIohibitory one. On May the sixth.
while the Tariff Commission Bill was
pending il the House, Mr.. Mills, OF Lou
isiana, looking in the direction 0f free
trade moved the following amendment to
the bill:
3 That no luty be imposed on any ar
ticlc above the lowest rate that will Weld
the largest amount OF revenue.
3. That below such rate discrimination
may be made descending in the scale of
duties, or for imperative reasons the ar
tcle may be placed on the list of those
free from all duty.
As every intelligent voter will perceive,
this amendment contemplated the tariff
for rere""e only policy, upon which, in
direct issue the Democrats were beaten
in the last Presidential canvass, the Re-
publican party in that contest having
stood upon the full and unconditional
platform of protection to American in
dustries. This amendment by Mr.. Mills.
embraces practically the principles and
provisions of the free trade tariff of 1916.
Now notice the vote on this amend
ment. The House refused to adopt it by
a vote of one hundred and fifty-two nays,
to seventy-tive yeas, yet on this amend
ment, which had it finally been passed.
wGuld have proved SO serious a blow
to the manufacturing industries of
this country, was voted for by every
Democratic member from Maryland in
Congress, the only negative vote being
that of Mr.. Urner the single Republican
representative from this State.
Mr.. Chapman voted for it.
Mr.. C0vington voted for it.
Mr. McLane voted for it.
Mr. Hoblitzell voted for it.
Mr. Talbot voted for it.
And Mr.. Urner atone voted against it.
Every Republican voter in G Gil coun-
ty who values the maintenance of the
present prosperous condition of our man
ufacturing interests, will vote for Mr..
Blair. and against Mr.. Talbot. who has
shown by his vote, that he is not a safe