The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-08-07
THE DEMOCRATIC CHESTNUT.
Representative Owen Summarizes the
j Democratic Shortcomings.
Without Single Pledge Redeemed. the
Democracy Have Poor Record on
Which to Appeal to the Country.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.

professions that way" said Representative
Owen. of the Tenth Indiana district in converse
tion with the Journal correspondent just before
leaving Washington for his home at Logansport.
ssThere is no measure Of national Importance
continued Mr.. Oven lin which his party stands
with him. saw him the other day, and he
looked to me as if he was dying from lonesome
ness FirInness is bis leading trait, and he is
likely 10 continue his present course to the
arrangement of his party He has indicated
that his recent order concerning postmasters,
revenue agents, and other government en-
pIoyes taking part in politics would be
enforced. II is understood that he will pick
out some shining examples in Indiana. After
the election this fall if he should relieve few
postmasters and route agents because Of propri-
Otorship of papers or for party work, it would 90
far to convincing the country of his sincerity,
and would be redeeming feature in an admin
istration that UP to date has exercised no aggres
sive qualities
''Ths Democrats promised IN the last cam
paigu, to reduce the tariff. Why have they not
Done sol" I asked.
'Yes. they made the campaign Of 1884 on the
promise to reduce the tariff, and it will keep
them busy explaining why the 'robber' was not
iowned, and good times brought to the country
and wheat wcrth 81 so per bushel," said Mr.
Owen. The facts are, the Democracy is rapidly
disentegrating on the tariff issue. Thirty five of
their members voted not to consider Morrisons
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, AL
ALBANIA, Mississippi, Georgia, Florida and Vir-
ginia are rapidly falling into the protection col
umn. One member from Georgia and one from
Virginia have been defeated for denomination
because they were reetraders. The new South
is to be an industrial country. As the appro-
priations fif the river and harbor bill passes at
Sl5, 1000, 000) amount to 1886, 600 000 and as the
estimates of receipts only show 1862 900,
there will be heavy deficit at the
close Of the year. and 1t certainly
would be disastrous policy to reduce
the tariff $50, 600, 900 more Mr.. Morrison seemed
determined to obey his platform without refer
ence to the treasury The Democratic party has
had control Of Congress for fourteen years, with
Che exception of two years, every campaign hav-
Ing been fought on the war tariff issue. aud they
the tariff has had in that time was by its Repub-
lican friends in 1881 Isn't it strange how long
some people can keep chestnutp
''And the Democrats, said /, promised fnan-
cial legislationg'
II had confidently expected legislation on
money matters" replied Mr. Owen. 1.-THE coun-
try was very much disappointed when President
Cleveland showed himself to be an ally of Wall
street He is the most enthusiastic
champion the money power has ever
had in the presidency. You will
remember the administration existed full year
without making bond CALL Two resolutions
were introduced into the House, and the air
grew thick with imprecations before the Secre-
tary yielded He has since last March, with an
announced reluctance, made monthly call and
during all the time the surplus has gone on
piling up in the Treasury until there are SO. 000
900 there. There was but IS. 100000 of surplus
when the Secretary took possession of the Treas
ury. 1t was always the policy of the Repub-
lican party to pay out the surplus on the public
debt The S400, 900 that Mr.. Hendricks
talked about was not a surplus. Sec
rotary Manning wrote letter, which was
read in the House during the session,
in which he said that was fund specifically set
aside for certain uses, and that to it for any
priation of trust funds and as Mr. Morrison
admitted that the $500 000 900 was only used for
campaign purposes, it is not necessary to speak
further of that matter
"a good deal of imnortant legislation has
been defeated by the Democrats, has it not,
during the sessions"
Eyes One of the most important measures
was to pay $780, 900 for increased mail facilities
with the South American States, and with
China, Japan and Australia. We pay more
money than this for carrying our mails from the
postofices to the depots. The bill did not
pillow over fifty cents per mile Travelled
to be paid to a vessel, while the lowest
pay by any of the great nations for like services
is 81. 03 per mile Every nation that has secured
large foreign trade has done through the
channel of mail ships. Where there is no mail
there is no trade. The South American coun
tries import annually FIVE hundred million dol
lars worth of goods England crosses the ocean
and takes 5000, 900, 900, and the rest of Europe
$3.50. 600 600. and the United States $40, 100000
We have one million idle men, and yet we are
suffering from overproducton. If we would
open up the gateway Of trade 20 these states
and secure this trade. which lies at our very
doors. our one million men would be called TO
work and the country flied with prosperity
but the measure was cruelty defeated
Our producing power like every great nation
Is beyond our consuming power. and like these
nations we must find an emptying house in the
semi-civilized countries or be smothered under
our OTer-prOuucCiOuS EngiduuS lOfoiRu mail
ships are considered by political economists to
be the master commercial stroke Of our century
Yet We refuse to pay one-half the lowest sum for
such ocean mail service Our men are idle; our
mines aud shops IRE closed or on half time; the
country is filled with strikes; there is a cond-
tion of disorder and unrest; more families are in
want than ever before; business is stagnated
while We look across the Gulf of
Mexico and view a country of measure
less demands for our goods, but the
nfk 90 Wa
like Tantalus, surrounded with vmter and
parcled with thirst, and, viewing banquets, We
starve to death.
''The great scheme of coast fortihcations has
failed the rebuilding of the navy will not be be-
gun in a practical way. Polygamy is left I'M
touched The great educational bill is undis
cussed The interstate-commerce bill fails
again. The financial situation is not redressed