Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1885-09-10

JUDGE FORAKER, at Portsmouth, on
the 1st inst, made his formal opening
speech of the campaign. He began by
stating why the Democracy went out of
power in 1860. Then follows a histori-
cal sketch of the work of TIE Republi-
cans. In their recent defeat, the speak,
er proceeded to show that even in defeat
they achieved victory. This victory
is found in the fact that prior to being
returned to power in the National Cow
ernment, the Democracy found it neces-
ssrp to formerly declare that, if return
ed, it would not disturb any of the res
suits of the war. The sole claim last
November was that there ought to be "a
change After counting the money the
new administration is satisfied that the
defalcations and peculations since 1860
have been greatly reduced as compared
with former administrations. Figures
are given to illustrate this point.
On the Southern question Judge Fora
ker correctly states the position of the
Republican party and of every right
minded citizen. He says:
The Republican party cares nothing
whatever how people vote in the South
or any other place, so long as they vote,
as American citizens ought every where
to vote, according 10 their own free will
and choice.
Reference is made, by way of illustra-
tion, to the act of the Georgia Legisla-
ture in providing but one voting place
for Chatham county. This is the county
in which is situated the city of Savannah
The county has about 5000 white and
1000 cOlored voters. 1t is simply inn
possible for 12.OOOvotes to be polled at
one place between 6 am. and 6 pm.
The alleged purpose of this law is to
prohibit the ignorant population from
cIntrolling the property and other inter-
e5ts of the intelligent white people. The
first duty of these States and of the
country is to educate and qualify this
ignorant population for sharing more
generally in the problem of self>govern
ment. This particular feature of the
situation was not touched upon by Judge
Foraker.
In support of his theory that these
outrages. against the franchise of the
colored men are inherent in the leaders
of the Democratic party. the Mullen case
is reviewed at considerable length, and,
it must be confessed, with great force.
The reason assigned as to why pros
perity has not returned to the country is
a strong point in the speech. If Mr. |
Blaine had been elected the business
men of the country, So far as they are
affected by the tariff, would have pro-
ceeded as usual. But in the election of |
Mr.. Cleveland, and in the absence of any
proclaimed policy upon this subject ei>
ther by Congress or by the Chief Execu-
tive, the business affairs affected by the
tariff stand comparatively idle and will
remain so until the President speaks, |
and Congress takes action upon this
subject Ne definite action, judging the
future by the past, can be taken before
or next spring.
1t is not of any moment who fills the
postotfices or represents this Government
at Berlin and st. Petersburg, says Judge
Foraker; it is the policy of the home
government in relation to the business
affairs of its own people that gives or
takes away prosperity. Proceeding on
this basis. the speaker referred to the
well understood division of sentiment
upon the tariff, existing between Mr..
Carlisle and Mr.. Randall and their re-
spective followers. This division does
not promise good results. The free
trade wing is too powerful to be down
ed by the other faction.
The next matter of Importance is the
liquor question. Upon this subject
Judge Foraker truly states that the Sur
preme Court has never presumed to say
that it is unconstitutional to tax tie
liquor traffic. The people of Ohio want
another such law as the Scott law wasl