The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-09-04
MR.. BLAINE AT sKowHEcAN.
He Discusses the Question of Free
Trade VS. Protection.

He Discusses the question OF Free
Trade VS. Protection.
SKowHEGAN, Sept. 3.-The crowd in town
today was one of the largest ever seen here.
special train from Waterville arrived at
2.15 o'clock, bringing the speakers and the
Fairfield band. The distinguished speakers
were welcomed at the depot by gathering
of thousands who were enthusiastic in dem
esntrations. A delegation of citizens waited
upon Mr.. Blaine at Hotel Coburn with the
Skowhegan, Fairfield and Madison bands
and escorted him to Island Grove.
The meeting commenced at 2.30 o'clock. 1t
was called to order by Hon. Joseph O..
Smith, who announced Gen. l. B. Shepard as
chairman, with vice presidents from the va
rious towns in the county.
Mr.. Blaine began his remark by referrin
to the fact that it was just 80 years ago this
month since he had first spoken on this spot,
In the heart of the good county of Som erset
That he spoke to them then as private citi-
zen and that after many years in which he
had received so many manifestations of
their favor he now returned to them in the
rection of affairs have passed away, and
younger generation has taken their places.
He had thus enjoyed the friendship, the sup
port and the generous confidence of two gem
erations of men who have been in action,
the old men when he began and the young
men in more recent years OF his public life.
Throughout this long period, two-thirds of
which he had been serving them in a repre-
sentative Icapacity, he had battled for the
same issues which are now prominent doml-
nant, leading in Importance all others
awaiting popular decision. Mr.. Blaine then
gave sketch of the county of Somerset just
as it was in 1856, carrying the picture so as
to contrast the county, and STATED of 1856
with the county and State of 1886. The ear
lier period, said Mr.. Blaine, was under the
depressing tendencies of so-called free trade,
the later under the generous development
of protection. He gave statistics OF the two
periods showing that at the end of the whole
time the citizens of Maine possessed three
times the amount of property in the aggre-
gate that they held at the beginning. Mr.
Blaine went into some details as to the in
crease of manufactures in various parts of
the State, especially exhibiting the prosperi-
ty of Somerset county. He illustrated how
the wages of lab0rlng men had increased as
compared with the period of the time of free
trade, showing that the wage workers of
Maine had to their credit today a cash sur
plus of $27,000,000 in the savings banks,
they had but little more than $780,
900 in 1856, The free traders, said Mr..
Blaine, are extremely bothered by these sta
tistics, arguing that they have no relevancy
to the case and lead to no conclusion fayora-
BILE to protection, but nevertheless, the fact
remains, large portentious and significant,
showing against all attempt to dispute it
that the workingmen of Maine in 1856 had
little more than $5oO.o00 in savings banks
where they now have 1921, 100000. The num-
ber OF wage workers is about the same at
both periods. Maine had thus gained in
wealth without any essential increase in pop
ulatlon. Perhaps we have not now more
than $4,000 people beyound the number
Q ontinually adding their increase of popula-
ton, a luxury which Maine has not enjoyed.
We have been drained of thousands of ac-
tive, young and enterprising men who have
gone to contribute to the wealth and the de-
velopment of the great Northwest, but it is
some satisfaction to know within lifetime
Of single generation. Those who remained
at home have trebled the wealth of the State,
have increased the old valuation of the decade
between 1850 and 1860, which was 100000
300 to the present wealth of the State which
is not less than $500, 100000. 1t is gratifying
| admit, said Mr.. Blaine, to have large in
crease of population with a large increase of
wealth, but If we cannot have both | would
rather have enlarged comfort for the smaller
number who remain than diminished COM
might come.
We do not grudge the fortune of those who
have impressed the character of our State on
distant communities, but with pride we send
them greeting that we have kept the old
homestead in good condition and have stead
emulation of property: If the people of
Maine err now in a vote upon continuance
or the abolition of the protective system they
would err with their eyes open. The two
parties stand face to face on that question
with scarcely break in the line on either
side throughout the Union. There is no diff
ficulty, therefore, in ascertaining where eth
er side stands. The Democratic party has
tried to evade the issue hitherto in national
of that's so) but all indications
the governing element of the Democracy to
openly oppose the doctrine of protection.
This would give to the country clean cut is
sue upon protection versus free trade which
has never yet been wholly secured.
There has always been small element OF
saved it from condemnation. In certain
States where it has maintained foot hold
by the profession Of New Jersey and Penn
sylvania Representatives in favor OF protec-
ton. The Democrats have been able to hold
control in the former anG at times to serious
sharp and well defined issue the result in
the future will be different, but the Demo
Gratis are never quite willing to fight it fair
ly. They smother opinion and disregard
interest and defraud the representation of
100000 of working people in the South,
and unless their clutch on the national
power might be shaken they disfranchise
800, 600 white men in Dakota by denying them
in Congress-. Cheers. The
people of Dakota already have all the at
leges, free press, railroads and telegraphs,
and regularly organized courts, all elements
of free and self-governing community. But
they are Republican by large
(renewed cheers and against every
precedent in our government they are
denied admission to the Union. The motive
for this action is clear and is worthy OF all
possible reprobation and condemnation. 1t
was an outrage upon human rights, over
turns the principle upon which our govern
ment rests, is hostile to the growth and pros
that Dakota will be kept out of the Union
Until trial of National strength may be had
with vote of perhaps half million of pe0-
pie excluded from all opportunity of express
sion at the polls. In this connection Mr..
Blaine dwelt at some length upon the abso-
lutte necessity ofpurity and fairness in a pop
ular government. To destroy the represen..
tation of people, to deny the free exercise OF
the ballot to those who are legally entitled
to it, is to undermine the foundations of free
government and the longer it is endured the
lHOlc lotLuc uduSCl tlett UiC outldSC WILL pO
repeated and enlarged. The growth of the
free states in the Northwest is mimi
cal to the interests of the Democratic party:
They dread the admission of Dokota and
naturally resist without reason and without
justice. They dread still more that Gordon
of commonwealths which stretches away off
beyond the Rocky Mountains and reaches
the shores of the Pacific. (Applause.) In
these lie the hope and the guarantee of
future in this free government Institutions
flourishing, free labor is honored, the work
ing man grows independent. Every element
combines to make prosperous powerful com
munities, but the first one which presents it
self for admission, with evidences of
strong Republican majority among its voters,
mee5 reGo ana Mon aelea' AZ sne nanas od
Taking in connection and with the general
style of Southern elections this act is full
of significance and looks forward to con-
tinuance of that habit of government by
which the Southern mind inherits,
and which it instinctively impressed upon
tho whole Democratic party. Cheers and
ApplauSe.)