The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1886-12-11


Would we, the people, surely be,
For putting on our coins, you see,
In God we trust
The tariff sections Of the message are ad-
mirable. In very clear and very concise
language he has stated the democratic po-
sition upon the revenue question, He has
not only ranged himself upon the side of
right and justice, but he has placed him,
self in accord with the sentiments of the
majority of the democratic party, Mr., Ran,
dali may say he enjoys Mr.. Clevelands po-
sition, but Mr.. Randall does not mean il.
Neither he nor any other protectionist en-
joys seeing system they contend right
held up 10 public gaze as the President
holds it up. When the President speaks
of extortion In connection with the tariff
tax of this country, the Randallites, con
scious that he has spoken the truth, are not
made 10 feel more comfortable When
the President says that federal taxation
SuDulu VIC W ltiiTl al utStSSIlItS, tIlt
protectionists know that he speaks the
truth. When he says that the necessary
things of life should not be burdened with
tariff tax, the protection people, knowing
lhat he Is absolutely right, can only make
grimaces and say; 1--WE will fight him in
II anyway"
The President has now given adherence
to the ideas that are ideas of common sense
and common justice, and the majority
party in the house of representatives, as
well as the democratic party at large, owe
it to him to stand firmly by the position he
has assumed. Every democratic newspa-
per should renew with more energy its at
tack upon the present system of federal
taxation; and every democrat should take
upon himself his share of the burden of
his fellows up to point where
they will perceive that the people do not
grow rich by being taxed.
| am under the impression that if every
collector In La Sale county compelled the
citizen paying taxes to pay directly each
year, in addition to his state, county and
tax, the amount of indirect tax
he pays through the workings of the tariff
to the general government, his eyes would
be opened and he would see that he was
not accommodating property by paying it
out There is but one explanation for the
continued maintenance by the people of
our present tariff tax, and that is to be
found in the fact that the people really
like TO be humbugged.
The quiet pervading Washington is un-
There is no stir in Off .ial
circles, and In Legislative circles nothing is
being done. Even the wan and weary Of
flee seeker is not to found in the Hobbies
of the hotel and in the halls of the depart
ments He has evidently grown dlscour,
aged and concluded that it is "A vain thing
to seek an Office when civil service eXami-
nations stand in the way. The President
now and then makes a removal, but vet a |
vast number of republicans remain in of.
flee, though they do not like the present
They suffer themselves TO
remain because they think it patriotic to
serve their country, not because any Of
them have undergone "A change of heart
A clean sweepof them would have wrought
some restitution, and the administration
carrying out to the letter the civil service
enactments permits them TO continue in of,
flee. Mr. Lincoln did not do as much ini
the way of re'aining democratic officials as
Mr.. Cleveland has done in the way of re-
tanning republican ones; and Mr.. Blaine,
If elected, would do less even than Mr.
Lincoln. The democratic party has been
lenominated "spoils" party, but it is not
and the record made by the present admin.
istration proves that il is not.
JAMES III. ECKELs.
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What the Press Says.