The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1884-09-27
DR.. shaw's Speech of Acceptance.

Following is DR.. Frank 7. Shaw's speech
at the Towson Convention last week. accept
ing the nomination for congress:
Mr.. President and gentlemen Of the conuen-
ton: The pleasure experience in accepting
this nomination at your hands does not, in any
sense, render me unmindful of the difficult
task that lies before me should | be elected
to the high office for which you have made
me candidate. To represent constituency
of more than hundred and fifty thousand
people, with all their varied interests, agri-
cultural, manufacturing and commercial, to
watch, guard and promote, fills me with anx-
ious forebodings which the greatness of the
charge and the weakness of my powers so
Justly inspire. But | am sustained by the
thought that in the Constitution of my coun-
try have an unerring guide, and that in the
discharge of official duties strict adherence
to its provisions will be the best service can
render you.
If chosen to be your representative, shall
earnestly unite with the Democratic party in
its effort to reduce Federal taxation to the re-
quirements of economical government, believ-
ing that this policy will not only relieve the
people of an onerous burden, but the Treasury
of a large surplus which is a continuing temp
tation to the weak and corrupt. The collec-
ton and disbursement of enormous revenues
is the greatest source of mischief IN the ad-
ministration of our governmental affairs, max
ing necessary an eXtravagant number OF OIL
GERS and agents to collect and dispense the
same. The cutting down of those revenues
to the most economical needs of the govern
ment would at once dispose of large number
of these officers and agents, and thereby re-
move one of the greatest distractions now in
the way of the will of the people to change
their administration of government.
The number of employees under the FEEDER
al Government has increased from $4,000 in
1860 to about 120, 900 in 1884. This immense
body of men, increased and more than dupli-
Gated by those Immediately interested in their
retention in office, thoroughly organized and
wisely distributed, by pecuniary aid and per
sonal effort has heretofore made it possible
for the party in power to set at defiance public
opinion, and thus to menace Republican in
situations.
1t should be primary maxim under our
system to collect no more money than is ne
cessary TO the economical and constitutional
wants of the government. Nothing can tend
more powerfully to the corruption OF public
and private morals, or to increase the patron
age of the government, than an excessive sur
plus revenue, as recent experience has album
dainty proved. :.
Our excessive surplus revenue is to be cred
tied to excessive tariff duties, which the Re
publican party levies ''professedly to protect
all American industries, but which in fact
has impoverished many to substitute a few.
In imposing these duties that party has sought
to favor the great and powerful classes of So
ciety, with the view of binding them, through
their interest, to its support, 1t uses the tax
ing power, which is granted expressly to raise
revenue, as a protective power for the en-
couragement.o of any branch of industry which
Congress may choose to foster; and thus it is
perverted from revenue to penal power,
through which the entire capital and industry
of the country may be controlled. BY dis
eliminating application of this policy, the
wealth of the country has been forced into the
Golfers of favored class, who having been
enriched by legislation do not scruple to cor
ruptly use their ILL gotten gains to control leg
iSlation The one is but sequence of the
other This policy then becomes at once the
prolific source of bribery, corruption and the
lobby To the same cause may be traced
those arrogant corporate monopolies which
exercise a controlling influence upon our
legislation, name our Presidents, select
our Cabinet Officers and place the ermine of
the Supreme Court upon the shoulders of him
who will do their bidding.
When our fathers abolished the law of pri-
mogeniture they supposed the country was Sc
cure against the evils of vast individual wealth
accommodating from generation to generation,
because the certainty of death would bring the
certainty of distribution. But this wise pre-
caution has been partially defeated by the per-
petual charter. In it the Corporation has
found the elixir of life, and though soulless it
| is yet immortal. These, though briefly stated,
are some of the causes, as | understand them,
| of some of the abuses which have crept into
the administration of national affairs, and
which are slowly, bat surely, sapping the very
vitals Of our government. 1t is useless 70 look
to the Republican party for their correction.
As well expect an insane mind to right itself
| by the power of its own will. But am thor.
oughly impressed that the election of Grover
Cleveland will be step in the right direction.
As Mayor of Buffalo and as Governor of New
York he has shown the courage and resolu-
ton necessary to resist the unfair demands of
corrupt politicians of his own party, and to
defy their influence though backed by many
votes. He has evinced those sturdy qualities
of mind and heart which especially fit him as
the pioneer or pure and better government
These are the qualities which commend him
| to thousands of voters too honest to hatter
power, too independent not to speak their con-
dempation of its abuses, and bave enough to
unite in the effort to overthrow their own
party for the good of their country"
| The promised support OF such men in this
canvass makes the election of Cleveland and
Hendricks reasonably secure. But will not
detain you longer, as yon are doubtless wear
led and tired, and hope to have ample OPP
portunity, between now and November next,
to address you more in detail upon the i'm
portant issues involved in this campaign.