The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-10-08
Another Report.

To the Western Associated Press.
FoRT WAYNE. Oct. THE first of the series
of four joint discussions upon the political issues
of the day, between Hon. w. H. Calklns, candi-
date for Governor of Indiana on the Republican
ticket, and Colonel Isaac P. Gray, Democratic
candidate for the same Office, was held here this
afternoon. A vast crowd assembled in and
around the court house yard to listen to the de
bate, which took place from a stand erected
upon the courthouse steps. Colonel Gray, upon
being introduced by Hon. Robert c.. Bell, made
a speech of one hour. The main question dis
eussed was the tariff. Colonel Gray arraigned
the Republican party for the system of imported
foreign labor under contract: for the decline of
American commerce; denounced the tariff as
robbery, but said tbs Democratic party was not
in favor of free trade; denounced civil service
reform as "a fraud, saying the State of Ohio
was swarming with Republican Office
holders to carry the State for
Blaine: a~rraigned the Republican par
ty for the decay of the American navy, be-
cause, under the tariff laws, American ship
builders cannot compete with foreign ship
builders, adding that reform must come through
the Democratic party. In reviewing Mr..
Biaines record, each time Blaine's name was ut
tered it was greeted with cheers which drowned
the speakers voice. During his speech Col.
Gray devoted considerable time to Mr.. CaIkins's
record in Congress. to. which Mr.. Calkins in his
speech subsequently, replied
Major Caikins was then introduced by Col. Il.
s. Robertson, and was received with enthusiastic
cheers. He opened his speech by saying that
the Republican party docs not deal With issues
of twenty years ago, but settles issues
as it goes along, and is now dealing with the
questions of to-day. He quoted Col.
Gray's speech at Richmond, Ind, March
II. 1866, and said it was not the
Republican party which was responsible for
the destruction of American commerce, but 1t
was the confederate cruisers, built in England
and sailing under the confederate flag, which
were responsible for its destruction He said
the Democratic party had been advocating free
trade since 1856; reviewed the Morrison bill at
some length, and quoted prominent free-trade
Democrats as say ing the idleness of mechanics
in this country is due, MOTTO protection, but to the
last Democratic Congress and the Morrison bill,
that threatened everything, from a pin factory
to a rolling-mill. A voice in the crowd cried.
'Give us Know-nothingism," referring to Colonel
Gray's record, to which Major Calkins replied,
mo sir; | do not deal in personalities" He
paid o compliment to Mr.. Blaine, and closed
with a glowing tribute to General Logans war
record.
AT the close of his speech Major Calkins was
loudly cheered
Colonel Gray then spoke in reply to Major
Calkins for fifteen minutes. during which he
said; "The speech purported to have been made
by me at Richmond, March II, 1866, was writ
ten by a man named Wood, fourdays after had
left that city. Some things in the speech i said,
and some l did not say After touching upon
the tariff again, Colonel Gray closed and was
greeted with enthusiastic cheers. Both candi-
dates held an informal leyee upon the platform,
shaking hands, etc, after the close Of the de
bate