The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-09-10
PORTLAND, MAINE, MONDAY MORNING, SEPTEMBER 10 1888

England fairly presented in national cleo
ton, an issue in which the American stand
ard of wages is brought face to face with the
under-paid labor of Europe.
The disguise Of the Mills bill is too thin.
1t means a step, and as long a one as the
Democratic leaders dared to make it, in the
direction OF free trade. The bill as at first
introduced was much more radical than as
finally amended to meet the necessities of the
political situation, but the dominant infiu-
ence behind 1t is as apparent now as then.
While purporting to cut duties down to an
average Of f0rty-two per cent it makes up
the average in peculiar way 1t leaves the
great Southern interests protected to the
fullest extent. Rice is protected by more
though we import twelve times more than we
produce, is protected by a fifty-eight per
cent duty, while by the provisions of this bill
a large portion of the industries Of
the State of Maine are thrown open
Ts,s e Ihs connection ho Of the world s
Of equal and impartial justice. Maine is a
Republican state, with no hope of Demo-
cratic success, and is to be sacrificed. The
South is the stronghold of Democratic power
and must be conciliated. The theory Of
protection as a national policy Is either right
or wrong. If it is wrong, what justification
is there for the AZ per cent. duties imposed
BY the Mills bill? If it is right, why should
Names industries be sacrificed and the in
dnstries of the South be protected? Why
should the planters Of South Carolina aud
Mississippi have protection to the extent of
100 per cent. on their rice and the planters of
Louisiana to the extent of IS per cent. on
their sugar and at the same time Maine
farmers be deprived Of all protection ON the
products OF their farms, their gardens, their
orchards and their iocks? The answer Is
plain. The bill Is a political makeshift de-
yised to meet an emergency andlis consistent
neither with itself nor with any known sys-
TEN OF political economy. Its free trade
tendencies are understood and no amount of
denial can change the record of the Demo-
cratic party upon that question. 1t is log
lcaliy and historically the free trade party
OF this country, and it is entitled to the bene-
iit OF its record. 1t is too late now to change
it.
There wa another matter earlier in this
campaign which touched us closely in this
State and that was the treaty which the
Democratic administration attempted to
negotiate on the subject of the fisheries, but
the merits Of that document have been so
completely disposed of by the late utterances
OF the President that 1t leaves little for dis
cussion. Its only value now is the proof it
furnishes of the insincerity of the present
Democratic administration. As piece of
diplomatic negotiation on our sides it is
pretty generally conceded it was not a sue
cess, and that it failed to effect its purpose
is shown by the fact that it has been repu-
dated and denounced by the very
Interests it was designed to protect.
The important fact at this time is that the
President himself has in the most emphatic
form condemned the treaty and negotiators
by making denial to our fishermen of GER
tain rights which the treaty failed to secure
a cause for retaliation. The action of Cana
da In refusing to our fishermen the right to
transship cargoes, which the President now
denounces as unneighborly, exasperating
a OF rfr1taI 10 it,
not only not prohibited by the treaty but its
legality was in fact recognized and conceded
the very terms of that document, for the
10th article OF this treaty makes the right of
transit subject of barter between the two
countries and provides that we shall have
free Of duty. If this treaty is fair and
Just, calculated to remedy existing
wrongs" and adequate for our security in
the future from vexatious incidents" and for
the promotion OF friendly neighborhood and
intimacy. without sacrificing in the least our
national pride and dignity, as the President
says, how does it happen that this treaty
leaves without redress the very wrongs
which are made the grounds for retaliation
IN the RESIDENTS message? Does it not
show the utter inconsistency of the Presi-
dents position, and that his message is what
the Boston Herald (Which has been one of
the greatest admirers of President Cleveland)
declares 1t to be, IAN unworthy political de-
vice."
This sudden change of front by the Presi-
dent has placed his friends and admirers in
an embarrassing position. Mr.. Putnam. who
has been travelling through the State, at
tempting to persuade the people of Maine
Cnat the treaty secured to us all that we
could fairly ask for, suddenly finds the
ground swept from under his feet by the ac-
llon OF the President, and his carefully pre-
pared speeches on the fishery question rem
1ered Of no value or effect We thus see that
the Presidential mind is subject to change.
Il has changed on quite number of ques-
IionS since four years ago, among others, on
.he danger to the country Of a second Presi-
1entlal term which he so vividly depicted in
bis letter OF acceptance four years ago. He
seems now to think that second term is a
good thing, at least for him. He can stand
Y II the country can, but ON that question
The country has not yet spoken. But l have
confidence that it will speak in terms not to
be mistaken on the issues raised by the Pres
dents free trade message. There are indi-
;atlons that he and his party already see
1mnious signs of popular disapproval rol ling
ip IN the political horizon, and it is possible
.nas Wlsen ms long delayed letter Of accep-
.ance comes we shall see some new attempt
% modify unguarded utterances of free trade
theories, but it is too late now to chan ge the
,eeord, and the issues are made up on which
he battle is to be fought to the end. The
hdustrlal prosperity OF this great country is
)y the theories OF any man, be he college
president or National President. During
ne last twenty-five years we have prospered
md grown strong and rich as no other n a.
ion on the face of the globe. under system
II protection to our industries inaugurated
md maintained by the Republican party.
With marvellous results such as these are
We going to change that system now and
hrow the numerous and varied industries
4 the nation into confusion simply because
mere VIII De surplus OF s2O.0OO,0O0 in the
reasury, for that is all l believe
hat the increased appropriations
II Democratic administration show?
Are we going to abandon system that has
m Its side the practice and experience of the
most enlightened nations of the world, and
which is opposed by. England alone, who
annot even persuade her own colonies and
dependencies TO adopt her views? Is it pos
IDLE that all other nations are wrong on this
question, and only England is right? Do
lot France, Germany, Austria and Italy
1now what best conduces to their Industrial
,rowth and prosperityp If they do, then it
5 not for our advantage to follow the exam |
lie or advice of England. England, l admit, |
$ in favor of the reelection of Cleveland, |
nd has applauded his message as the utter |
nee @ Oh genuine Tree trader; but It remains
Q be seen whether the people of the United |
,tates and England agree on this point |
Judging from the past it Is safe to say that |
n commercial matters we cannot trust Eng
ana 70 look out Tor our interests; she Is for |
lerself every time, and If we know wh at
England wants, the safe rule for us Is to do
he other thing. And that / believe the
American people are going to do in this case.
But 40 not forget you have not come to-
,ether to listen to me on this great question,
,ut rather to one who, on the floor of the
National House, has been doing valiant SER
ice in defence of the industries assailed bv
he President and the friends of the Mills
ill. 1t is matter of just pride for this dis
rict that it has furnished representative
Il such conspicuous ability, that his associ-
ties In Congress have recognized him as
heir leader. We have elected him and kept
Inn In Congress longer than any other man
hat ever represented the district. We have
lone so because we believe in the man and
appreciate the services he has rendered to
he State and to the country, ond need not |
id we are going to do so again.
After tie applause had subsided Mr.. Kent
anne forward to introduce Mr.. Reed. say
ng:
MIR. KENT SPEECH.
There have been many meetings in this hall
Turing this campaign, presided over bymany
f our most prominent citizens, but none of
hose citizens, | am sure, could have expert
need that feeling Of pride which is mine to-
light, and which know finds response in
he heart of every Republican before me in
icing able to introduce, or rather to present
o yOu-for he needs no intr0duc tion TO this
of the most prominent men
4 our country, the leader, and probably the
speaker of the next National House of Rep
esentatives [great applausel. our most dis
fellow-cltlzen, our own Tom Reed.
Cheers.
As Mr.. Reed stepped forward. Chairman