The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-05-22

the delegates to the ST. Louis convention. 1 assure
you that you have friends here who recognize and
appreciate your unselflsh, patriotic and valuable
service to the democratic party, and who would de-
light to honor you am gladI had the honor and
pleasure of casting the vote of Dodge county for
you several years ago. Very truly yours,
JAMES BISHOP, JR.
MR.. WAISTS REPLY.
AUGUSTA, Ca May 10, 1SSS-Hon James Bishop,
Jr, Eastman Ga. Dear Sir Your favor of the 1lth
received. l thank you for the complimentary
manner in which you refer to my past services to
the democratic party. do not know your views
upon the tariff, but take this opportunity to ex-
plain mine, and to give my reasons for the stand
taken by me in the state democratic convention last
week in Atlanta. AS have received many letters
from different sections of the state, take the liberty
to make public yonr letter and my reply.
In 1854, Grover Cleveland needed advocates in
Georgia. Today lie does not need them. Those
who trying to ride into Office upon his herculean
shoulders and matches record as president, were
bitterly opposed to him then. Now they are for
him when all the PEOPLE from the mountains to the
sea proclaim him their standard bearer.
When the people of the south submitted their
cause to the arbitrament of the sword there was
hardly pillow or a shovel manufactured IN the
SOUTH We had only few scattered cotton facto-
ries. General Toombs expressed the truth none too
strongly when he said "confederates wore them
selves out whipping the federals" Free trace and
am for protection to develop the vast and varied
resources OF the South. New England, with its
barren soil and frigid climate, has become the
treasury Of the nation under protective tariff In
twenty-five more years the south, under the same
system, will be the richest she is the most
favored, section of the union. plead, not SO much
for the manufactures of the cast, but for the srug
Cling industries of the south. Monopoles and
trusts 1 detest 1 for policy that will benefit
the SOUTH and especially the farmers. Diversified
industries will appreciate the value OF our
lands by bringing i'll capital and population Manu-
features will compel our farmers to diversity their
crops to raise food supplies for which they will OBJ
tain remunerative prices from the people employed
in factories mines and workshops. Suppose we had
one hundred factories like those in Augusta In the
counties above this city, would not the farmers be
greatly benefited? Just think of it-there is more
water power i'll the valley of Savannah going to
waste than there is in all the New England states
would not give cent for protection to build up
monopoies but would give millions to foster ana
build manufacturing interests of the southern states
am for tariff that will build up the SOUTH Slavery
is dead, and her twin sister, free trade, should be
buried in the same grave.
believe in a practical policy. In my judgment
the mechanics and artisans and laboring people OF
New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, where the
battle is to be fought and won will not support the
presidents message or the Mills bill as it stands
| Why should rice sugar and molasses be protected
| and lumber, marble, iron and coal be brought in
| free?
Fifteen years ago Jefferson county, Ala, returned
its property for few millions. Last year the taxa
bic property of that county, in which Birmingham
| is situated was 100000, while the property in
the whole state S2l6 OC00 600. What stronger ar
| gument is needed in the south for the protective
policy? The south is the section that will be most
benefited by continuance of the protective system.
am opposed to the internal revenue, but if it is
! to be continued would reduce the duties upon the
necessaries of life and tax whisky So per gallon,
| The most gigantic monopoly in this country is the
whisky ring trust that is protected to the amount of
over 500 per cent If the system is to be continued,
why not tax whisky for consumption So per gallon
in place OF ninety cents? Why should the whisky
interest be protected to the amount of 81 per gallon
| from foreign competition when it pays only ninety
| cents to the government?
| am for a distinctive American policy. long as
| our public debt remains, and until we can find
some better plan for the support of the government
| our revenues must be collected at the custom
| houses of the country upon imports. These duties
should be SO imposed as to protect American indus
| tries and labor from foreign competition, but I
would not give dollar to monopoles or trusts.
would be willing to accept the Mills BILL because
| it removes the tax on tobacco and imposes duties
| upon Injuries rather than upon necessaries but [
would not admit free wool, free lumber, free mar
| BILE, or free iron and COAL any more than would
! free rice, free sugar or free molasses.
| Political mistakes sometimes become political
u
| platform, upon which President Cleveland was
| elected. 1t was the bridge that carried US into
power safely and the party should not kick tno the
stream. 1t declares against internal taxation, and
demands that the necessary for the support
of the government shall be collected by q duty upon
| imports. 1t demands revision of the tariff and
| that the duties shall be so levied as not to
foster monopolies, but to build up the deserving
industries of the country and afford just protection
TO American capital, products and labor. 1t de-
mands that there shall be such fair revision of the
tariff as not to collect any more money from tie
people than is necessary to support the government
| economically administered. 1t denounces nonopo-
lies and trusts, and pledges reform, and honest
administration Of the affairs of the government.
The south can be relied upon to vote for President
Cleveland, except as TO Virginia and West Virginia.
whose party Platforms demand repeal Of the reYe
| nue. laws While the president recognized no Just
demand for the repeal Of these taxes the Mills bill
| does not agree with him in this respect and does
| recognize the demand for repeal by taking off the
tax on tobacco to the extent OF S2j 100000 So that
you see the views of the president and the proposed
abolition of the tax on tobacco in the hands OF the
farmer provided for in the Mills bill, not in
| accord?
The greatest danger to our party is from tie time
serving politicians in and out of congress who are
! afraid TO run counter to the views of the people,
! They have convictions OF their own. Out OF of
| fee. they have no ability to make living at any
| business They are always hunting for the popular
side, and are ready to change their opinions at a
moments notice and to sacrifice their friends, and
| even their party, to remain in Office.
| Why should not the leaders of the party in con-
! gress have the courage 10 advocate the
relunding of the Sc0,U0Ot0 cotton tax
| taken from the farmers Of the ,outh? The supreme
court of the United States hrs decided the cotton
tax TO be unconstitutional 1t was collected from
the impoverished planters OF the south under the
color Of the law, but the highest tribunal in the Land
has declared that congress had 10 right pass such
alaw. Therefore, itshould be refunded. The plant
| ers Of the south have been robbed Of $50 000000
| Iftnis money was refunded the surplus would not
have been idle in the treasury to keep Our states.
mon awake at night, thinking how to reduce it, II
our leaders in congress had the courage of their con-
yiclions they would not rest until this money was
| returned 10 the south.
But VIC must hope for the best. The party can
| not win on tie narrow and foolish policy outlined
last wocl: I'm our state convention. Virginia. West
Virginia, &ew Jersey, Connecticut ana other dem
ocratic states favor the protective policy or are In
favor Of the repeal Of the internal revenue law We
! cannot believe that the ST. Louis convention VIII
do like the Georgia enlion--adopt platform 30
contracted 70 exclude democrats who do not hold
low tariff free trade views. The latter are prefer