The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-09-28


enabled capitalists to use deprecated currency
worth fifty cents the dollar for the purchase OF
bonds, and quoted at premium above par In
gold; paid two millions of soldiers not more than
half that was due them, while bondholders re-
ceiyed in gold double the amount of their origi-
nal investments. On the subject of public lands,
he held the following Republican plank to be
especially audacious: I'VE favor reservation of
public lands for small holdings by actual set
tiers. and opposed to the acquisition OF large
tracts or the public domain by corporations and
nonresident aliens American lands should be
preserved for American settlers" He charged
the Republican party with having voted away
millions of acres to corporations He claimed
the Democratic party to be the true friend of the
working classes that it had done much for them,
and would do more in the same direction when
It's opportunities are increased. AS to taxation,
he Endorsed the plank of the late Democratic
State convention, end said that 'the seductive
but delusive and impracticable theory of free
trade is not to be found in this comprehensive
statement of Democratic principles.
de said that in order properly to estimate the
value of the loud profession in favor of small
holdings by actual settlers" it only neces-
sary to state the fact that from July l, 1862 to
March 3, 1871 less than nine years, public lands
were voted away to corporations to the amount
of IA, 538, 1874 acres"
There was extensively published less than
two years ago, carefully prepared table, show
ing that 20, TAI, 900 acres of land had been taken
up and was then held by foreign syndicates for
eign land companies and members of the En-
glish nobility, in vast estates ranging from B GOO
to a, DOC, 600 acres. It was also estimated that
between 5000, 900 and 6000 900 acres of public
land were illegally fenced and shut up against
emigration, by large cattle Companies, some of
them English, and others Scotch, besides. the
rapacions American always present.
Mr. Voorhees, next attacked the arrangement
of the Democratic party In the State Republican
platform as false and virulent, and alleged that
Pension Commissioner Black had made a
-
within the appropriations made for the first year
of Democratic administration. but had saved to
the government and covered back into the
Treasury the sum of $500, 900 as All unexpended
balance, and with such record assaults on
General Black have fallen harmless at his fees.
Nor" says Mr.. Hendricks, 'shall it be over
looked that at the head of the vast Department
of the Interior, wherein such grand results
have been wrought for the Union soldier, the
great Mississippian, Secretary Lamar, presides
with commanding intellect and lofty patriot
ism which, oblivious of past conflicts, embraces
in its affection and sense of justice every Sec
ton and all the people of the United States.
The orator denounced the position of the Re-
publican party on the temperance question, and
said that the position of the Democratic party on
that subject lis clear and unmistakable." He
declined, however. ''to enter into discussion of
the merits of the license system over all Others"
and said in an ambiguous way that it has had the
| sanction of every Democratic statesman in the
history Of the Republic from Thomas Jefferson to
Grover Cleveland He said the Democratic party
believed in the influence of the schools, the col
leges and churches to elevate the people to high
er, purer and better lives and denied the power
of coercive or prohibitory legislation to accom-
plish such results" In answer to Senator Har-
risons assertion that the legislation of this State
is not abreast with the times, and an advance
must be made he said:
When the laws on that subject already enacted are
fully and faithfully executed it will be found that the
best public sentiment of the State will be satisfied and
the cause of order and good government will be amply
upheld In the midst of the noisy camor in favor of
prohibition, the provisions of the present license sys
tenn of Indiana apt to be overlooked forgotten
That system is full of stringent enactments which if
enforced would repress all the evils growing out of
the sale of spirituous, vinous and malt liquors.
Mr.. Voorhees, briefly mentioned the Demo
cratic gerrymander and palllated the offense by
calling attention to the Republican apportion-
ments of 1867 and 1873. OF the Democratic
gerrymander he only said:
The present ap3ortionment may be defective and
in respects for the work of human hands
is perfect, but it is truth equity honor AMI
mated from the high councils of the Republican party.
The werecognzed doctrine of estoppel applies to all
complaints from Republican in regard to the
present apportioument OF Indiana.
OF the administration he said:
The administration of the federal government by
Grover Cleveland has been bitterly assailed misrep-
resented and slandered by the Republican State con
venton and by the leaders of the Republican party in
everything. does it follow that supporter of
administration necessarily in all its official
Details but am here tonight to declare far my
words will go, that the administration of Grover
Clevelands strong, Clean faithful to public duty and
worthy of al acceptaton by the Democratic party and
by the country. What public interest has suffered at
his hands2 What public duty has been neglected!
What public trust has been betrayed In the more
than electric light thrown upon every act of his adj
minstraton. and every step of his public life by
the powerful and seepless newspaper press of the
United States he stands clear and above reproach in
his great Office.
Tho recent Democratic State convention of
Indiana. in a very comprehensive resolution indorsed
the ability the ntegtv and the economy of the pres
ent administration Its ability is conceded by the peo
pie of all parties and its integrity has not been ques
toned and its economy has been proven by the record
Mr.. Cleveland has broken no pledges. May not
expect the support of all classes who boeve in an adj
ministration which, under the most trying circum
stances has had the of its convictions has
been faithful to all its pledges, either express inn
piled.
The public debt is being paid more rapidly than the
public creditors desire the surplus in the Treasury
enormously overstated two years ago by the Repub
can candidate for Governor is being rapidly reduced
notwithstanding the President withheld his signature
to the Morrison resolution. emasculaed and rendered
worthless, it by the action of the Senate.
There is feeling of confidence in business circles,
and signs of returning activity and prosperity are
| abroad in the land.
Let US join voices hands and hearts once more in
the of good government Let not Indiana falter
| now. and thereby open breach through which the
Republican party with its evil methods its perncous
principles. and its rapacious hordes may return to
power in 1883. Indiana holds the key to future
Democratic national and to the prolonged SUI
premacy of Democratic federal administration. If
voice which in storm and disaster we'll in
shine and victory has always been heard in the battling
ranks of the Democratic party will still be listened TO-
invoke a united. harmonious and determined effort
at this time in behalf of the present and future well
fare of American people.
A TALK WITH SENATOR VOORHEES,.
He Thinks that Prohibition Is Not Much of
Factor in Politics.