The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1886-08-19
THE DEMOCRATIC CHESTNUT.
Representative Owen Summar-
Tres the Democratic
Shortcomings.
Without Single Pledge Redeemed, the
Democracy Have Poor Record on
Which to Appeal to the Country.


sions, but the difficulty is he is about the
only man in his party who even makes pro-
fessions that way" said Representative
Owen, of the Tenth Indiana District, in
conversation with the Journal correspond
ent, just before leaving Washington for his
home at Logansport. There is no meas
ure of national importance" continued Mr..
Owen, "in which his party stands with him.
/ saw him the other day, and he looked to
me as If he was dying from lonesomeness.
Firmness is his leading trait, and he Is
likely to continue his present course to the
estran cement of his party. He has indi-
Gated that his recent order concerning post
masters, revenue agents, and other Govern
ment employees taking part in politics would
be enforced. Ii is understood that he VIII
pick out some shining examples in Indiana.
After the election this fall, If he should re-
lieve few postmasters and route agents
because of proprietorship of papers or for
party work. il would go far to convincing
the country of his sincerity, and would be
q redeeming feature in an administration
that up to date has exercised no aggressive
qualities
THE Democrats promised, in the last
campaign to reduce the tariff. Why have
they not done so?" l asked.
Eyes, they made the campaign of 1854
on the promise to reduce the tariff, and 1t
will keep them busy explaining why the
'robber was not downed, and good times
brought 20 the country and wheat worth
$l.50 per bushel." said Mr.. Owen. The
facts are, the Democracy is rapidly disin-
tegratng on the tariff issue. Thirty of
their members voted not TO consider Nor
risons bill, and twenty others announced
that they would vote against it on its final
passage. One third of the party marshaled
against its chief theory-a respectable
minority. Louisiana, Alabama, Mlssissip
pi, Georgia, Florida, and Virginia are
rapidly falling into the protection column.
One member from Georgia and one from
Virginia have been defeated for renomina-
ton because they were free-traders. The
new South is to be az industrial coun-
try. As the appropriations off the river
and harbor bill passes at Sl5,OOO,OOO)
amount 10 $3.50, 900, 900, and as the
estimates of receipts only show 1862, 0OO,-
900. there will be heavy deficit at the close
of the year, and it certainly would be dis
astrous policy TO reduce the tariff so, OOO,-
600 more. Mr.. Morrison seemed determin-
ed TO obey his platform without reference
to the Treasury. The Democratic party
has had control of Congress for fourteen
years, with the exception of two years,
every campaign having been fought on the
war tariff issue, and they have not Yet
passed bill. The only reduction the
tariff has had in that time was by its Re-
publican friends in 1881. Isn't it strange
how long some people can keep chest
NUT"
"And the Democrats, said /, promised
financial legislation?"
Il had confidently expected legislation
on money matters" replied Mr.. Owen.
"Ths country was very much disappointed
when President Cleveland showed himself
to lie an ally of Wall street. He is the
most enthusiastic champion the money
power has ever had in the Presidency.
You will remember the administra-
ton existed a full year without
making bond call Two resolutions
were introduced into the House, and the air
grew thick with imprecations before the
Secretary yielded. He has since last March,
with an announced reluctance, made a
monthly call, and during all that time the
surplus has gone on piling up in the Treas
ury until there are S75, 600, 900 there. There
was but SS,000,000 of surplus when the
Secretary took possession of the Treasury.
It was always the policy of the Republican
party to pay out the surplus on the public
debt. The 800, 200 that Mr.. Hen
bricks talked about was not a surplus. Sec
rotary Manning wrote a letter, which was
read in the House during the session. in
which he said that was a fund specifically
set aside for certain uses, and that to use il
for any other purpose he would be guilty of
misrepresentation of trust funds and as
Mr.. Morrison admitted that the 800, 000,-
900 was only used for campaign purposes,
it is not necessary to speak further of that
matter"
"A good deal of important legislation has
been defeated by the Democrats, has it not
during the session."
Eyes. One of the most important meas
ures was to pay SS00.OC0 FOR increased
mail facilities with the South American
States, and with China, Japan, and Aus
tralia. We pay more money than this for
carrying our mails from the postoffices to
the depots. The bill did not allow over
fifty cents per mile travelled to be paid to
vessel, while the lowest pay by any of the
great nations for like service is 81 .03 per
mile. Every nation that has secured large
foreign trade has done so through the
channel of mail ships. When there is no
mail there is no trade The South Amer
lean countries import annually five hundred
million dollars worth of goods. England
crosses the ocean and takes $500, 900, 900.
and the rest of Europe 100000, 900, and
the United States S40,000,Q00. We have
one million idle men, and yet we are suffer
ing from overproducton. If We would open
up the gateway of trade to these states and
secure this trade which lies at our very doors,
our one million men would be called to
work and the country filed with prosperity;
but the measure was cruelty defeated by an
almost solid Democratic vote. Our produc-
ing power, like every great nation, is be-
yond our consuming power, and like these
nations We must ind an emptying house
in the semi-civilized countries or be smoth-
cred under our productions. Eng
lands foreign mail ships are considered by
political economists to be the master COM
mercial stroke of our century. Yet We re-
fuse TO pay one-half the lowest sum for
such ocean mail service. Our men are idle;
our mines and shops are closed or on half
time; the country is filed with strikes;
there is condition of disorder and unrest;
more families are i'm want than ever before;
business is stagnated, while We look across
the Gulf of Mexico and view a country of
measureless demands for our goods. but
the Democratic party says they can't go.
We are like Tantalus, surrounded with wa
ter and parched with thirst, and, viewing
banquets, we starve to death.
"The great scheme of coast Notifications