Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-09-29
On the Defects of the God and
Morality Party.
A PARTY FOR sPolLs ALONE.
A Platform That Promises Reforms Never
Dreamed Of, and Which is Con-
spicuous for Evasion.
HOW TAXES MAY BE REDUCED.


made by Speaker Carlisle, of the House of
Representatives deserves fuller mention. The
distinguished Kentuckian came over with
Congressman Wilson, of this district, to
carry out a promise made by that gentle
man, that he would make one or two
speeches in aid Of the West Virginia Demo
cratic canvass, and his address here and
one tomorrow at Martinsburg will probably
wind up his work in this State. While suf-
fering to some extent from cold and sore
throat induced by outdoor speaking, his
general health seemed better than when l
last saw him in Washington, and his clear
and vigorous oratory held the crowd closely
through two hours address. Owing TO
imperfect announcement and the rainy af-
ternoon the outdoor meeting when he be-
gan his remarks, was not as large as had
been anticipated, but an adjournment to
the Court House had the effect of bringing
considerable acceSsions. and before he con-
cluded the building was filed to overaOwing
great
Many Ladies
being included in the audience. Intro
duced by Hon. B. +. Martin as a statesman
whose reputation was not bounded by State
lines, but was as broad as the continent,
Mr. Carlisle said that in accordance with
promise made to his young friend, Con-
greSsman Wilson, Of your district, he was
here to talk on such subjects as occurred to
him. am not here to discuss your State
politics, for l am not familiar with them,
and in considering national affairs | am not
here to denounce or abuse anybody. The
great mass OF voters in this country are
honest sincere and patriotic. Republicans
as we'll as Democrats deserve good govern
ment For this reason desire to appeal to
reason rather than passion. If there was
less abuse and more reasoning in polite Al
campaigns it would be better.
Spoils Alone.
II would be matter OF little concern if
the contest in which we are engaged were
waged for Spoils alone. If not divided on
principle it would make but little difference
which party dispensed the offices. If the
gross and corrupt expenditure of public
monies, the waste of the public domain,
the unjust systems OF taxation, the rapid
march toward Capitalization of the national
government, and the other evils Of which
we complain, are to go on it would make
no difference which party should carry the
coming election. The people who are de-
msnding q change are demanding it on
principle. They desire new policy and
new men to carry it out. The policy of
the older governments OF Europe has been
to entail government as well as property
In this country the people choose their own
officers and regulate their own government
The Republican party has he'd lease Of
power for the past twenty-three years. 1t
has had full control of the army the navy,
the postal service, the public lands, the sub
sidized railroad companies, the currency,
and all other matters connected With the
administration of the national government.
Shall such control be continued for four
years longer? The reasons for its perpetua-
ton have long since ceased to exist. There
should be a settlement of accounts. The
questions Of the war are settled. Slavery is
dead and secession was buried with it.
The constitutional amendments have been
accepted. The Republicans dictated the
terms of settlement and should be content
with them. A peace policy is now needed,
Commerce needs to be nourished, fair
wages fol labor secured, and some steps
taken to prevent the accumulation of vast
fortunes in the hands of the few through
the impoveriShment of the many. The
Republicans have failed to do this. Gross
abuses have grown up under their admin
istration. Their platform, adopted at
Chicago, Confesses this fact.
Every Plank
in it is an admission. The great monopo.
les of the country, have grown up under
Republican care The public lands have
been given away to favored corporations
and syndicates. The public money has
been squandered. Official responsibility
has been abolished The Civil Service has
been proStiIuted. Forced contributions
have been levied upon Office holders
Elections have been corrupted by money
and interfered with BY the military power
and at least in one instance the decision Of
the people has been thwarted by open aud
undeniable fraud. Our carrying trade, once
the pride and glory of the country, now
languishes. Labor, the foundation of indi-
yidual and wealth, is suffering. Strikes
abound and lockouts are Of frequent occur
renee.
These evils must continue as the practical
results of the Republican policy.
The Democratic policy as set
forth in the Democratic National
while the people under the homestead laws
have O little less than $4,000 900 acres.
And vet the Republican platform talks Of
public lands for small holdings for the
people.' They are likely to be small, in
deed. Under the Republican policy it will
not be long before there will be an agent of
q corporation on every acre to warn of
settlers. These lands were intended as the
refuge oflabor when wages were cut down.
This refuge is being rapidly destroyed. 1t
has been charged that the Democrats in
augurated the system of granting lands to
corporations, but their donations we're made
10 the States for the benefit Of
The People.
Their grant to Illinois gave back over Sll,-
600 600 to Illinois citizens.
The figures under Republican rule are
suggestive. Three hundred and ninety
millions of dollars is the estimated value OF
lands granted to corporations who now owe
over sixty million dollars interest, and the
loss of SiOO, 900, 900 upon bonds guaranteed
is more than probable Our taxes are more
than 800, ,OO0, 900 annually, upwards OF 81
GOO, 900 for every day in the year. Only
the enterprise of our people enables them to
bear this burden, and yet there is no excuse
for pyesent taxation. After all expenses we
had 81 S8. .OOO, 900 Of surplus hast year, and
this surplus viii continue annually nn-
I'll the
Every business man knows, and l speak
in from, of a bank whose officers
will confirm the statement, that
T this surplus were boarded
tbe country would be ruined. The oaiy
method of disposing Of it is in extinguish-
;ng the public debt, but only. some $780,
400 600 Of matured bonds can be paid with
in the next two years, and then until 1881,
wben $2O0, ,OO0, 900 more only are payable,
# The government would buy bonds it must
90 into open market and pay whatever
15remium is asked The premium on the 4
par cents is now about 20. What would II