Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1883-12-05
FREE TRADE.

The nomination OF John u. Carlisle, OF
Kentucky, for the Speakership of the
Forty Eighth Congress by the Democrats
at the caucus of Saturday evening. a NOM
ination being equivalent to an election, is
significant politically in this respect, that
it commits that party fully and irrcversi-
bly, to the flee trade issue, and defines
clearly the central issue of the next Pres
idential campaign. With the nomination
of Randall, the winter session Of Con-
grcss would have been restricted to bust
ness matters, and the tariff question kept
largely in the back ground, with the ex-
pcctation that in so doing, the prospects
of Democratic victory next fall would
be increased.
With the nomination of so radical an
advocate of free-trade as Mr.. Carlisle, all
this will be reversed, and he will use the
great power conferred upon the Speaker
in selecting the chairmen of the respec
tive committees so as to shape the work
in Congress according to his pet theories.
This will challenge opposition on the part
of the Republicans, as has been manifest
ed already in the complimentary nomina-
ton of ex-Speaker Keifer, and we expect
the preliminary battle of the coming po-
litical campaign will be fought this win
ter in the halls of Congress.
Another feature of interest, and one
that will have bearing on the political
situation, is the fact that the nomination
of Carlisle is the victory of the Southern
wing of the Democratic party. While it
is not anticipated that this will revive the
ante-bellum conflict on issues now dead,
it will rcsuscitate in all its intensity
the struggle between the free trade ideas
of the South, and the tariff interests of
the North.
While it is impossible to define positive
ly what is the actual sentiment of the
country upon these great questions, if
tain, that the great money centers of the
East, whence the bulk of the contribu-
tions for campaign purposes come, will
oppose all tendencies to radical and sud-
den changes in the financial management
of our national affairs. In such case,
the Republicans, as in the Garfield cam
paign. will find strong ally in the money
interests of the country, thus giving them
a great advantage. In the opinion of
many close observers Democratic as we'll
as Republican, the nomination of Carlisle
is more favorable to the Republicans than
that of Randall.
Aside from political considerations,
when we come to speak of the man, Mr..
Carlisle is admirably qualified to fill hon
orably the important position to which he
has been elevated He was born in Ken
ton county, Kentucky, Sept. 5, 1885 COM
menced his career as a school teacher !;
studied law and has held various impor
tant political trusts, including the lieu
tenant governorship of Kentucky 1915,
afterwards he entered Congress where he
has served several terms with the record
of being an able and diligent man. AS a
statesman, he has the reputation of being
singularly sincere and straightforward.
He never cajoles or tlatters, and his hon
esty and ability is manifest at q glance.
He combines with extensive attachments
and wide experience, great modesty and
sweet temper, and will guide the affairs
of Congress with discretion and ability.