Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-10-13

The largest political gathering ever
.nown to Milan, was that held in the
own hall last evening and over which
ir. Joseph Fitzpatrick presided. Ems
husiasm prevailed at the outset and it.
increased as the speaking proceeded, aad
when Mr.. Prentiss finished he had the
confidence of every one within hearing
distance of him, not only because of the
ssues he sustained. but for his able and
eadily comprehensive manner of sus-
aiming them.
Mr.. VIM. McEniry, democratic candi-
late for states attorney, was the
1rst speaker, and he commenced
ais remarks. speaking of the position
If political parties today and that in |
which they were found four years ago. |
The democratic party had something of |
an advantage over four years ago. The
prediction was then made that if Mr..
Cleveland was elected the rebel debt
would be paid and the negro again en-
shaved. Had any of these predictions
been verified by the four years of demo-
cratic administration under President
ClevelandS On the contrary more PEN
sion bills were passed during Mr. Cleve>
lands term than during the terms
OF any of his predecessors. OF the
100 vetoes made by Mr. Cleveland, 140
had been previously rejected by republic
can administrations and the most con-
spicuous of Mr. Ceveland's vetoes was a
bill for the relief of q union deserter and
a rebel, Mr.. Cleveland had proven him>
self the friend of the soldier in this par
ticular instance, and no true soldier would
have his name written beside that of a
rebel and deserter Mr.. McEniry then
proceeded to discuss the tariff issues and
delivered one of his best speeches on the
subject, closing with a brief review Of
state matters and strong plea for Palm
er and reform.
Hon. Vim. Prentiss, candidate for
congress, was then introduced and was
greeted by q tremendous ovation. 1t is
perfectly proper, Mr.. Prentiss said, for
people to meet and discuss political situ>
atoms Some people believe it q step be-
low their dignity to take part IN political
discussions, but all should take an inter-
est in those political questions of the day
which concern public men and measures.
He quoted from the philosopher who
once said "a free people must be a
thoughtful people" We must have pO-
litical parties; they became a necessity
He asked his hearers though, for the
time, to forget their party affiliations, and
to remember that they were citizens OF
the republic of America. The republi-
cans had claimed the democrats were for
| free trade, that Cleveland was for free
trade and that the Mills bill was free
trade measure. The republicans in the
same snx iety to win four years ago, had
attempted to WELD influence by attempted
intimidation for what they could not &C
compllsh by reason, aud charged thatif Mr.
Cleveland were elected the negroes woult
be enslaved sgsin-and he had no doub
that some of the African race believed i
and some of them must have turned
white when Mr.. Cleveland was fnall
elected. According to the proph
estes made now for the sam
purpose of intimidation, free trade mus
be an animal with horns and hoops
forked tongue and great tail spreadin
over the country ready to devour it. MI
Prentiss then entered upon practices
talk, explaining how state and nations
taxes are raised the latter by interns
revenue and the custom or tariff Ia
which the consumer must pay. "A fal
mer in my county," said Mr.. Prentis
"once went to Chicago to purchase clOt
and selected a piece-prlce $3.50 pr
yard The goods were imported fro
England, and if it were not for the in
port tax the farmer could have had tn
cloth at 81 80 per yard. He therefo
asked the salesman for cloth made in tn
country and it was shown him at 81
} per yard. but when he went to pay
bill he found himself charged at the ra
of 50 so per yard, Ga asking {
explanation, he found the addition
dollar was for protection. Sometimes, N
Prentiss said the tariff don't raise the d
nestle article, but it generally does. F
every dollar that goes into the treasury
the United States as derived from t
tariff, S. goes into the pocket Of the ma
ufacturer. Republican speakers have ,
tempted to speak of the dull times gro
ing out of free trade practices In Il
country in the past, whereas in truth,
never had free trade, but during the I
years period of the Walker tariff of
per cent, the prosperity of the county v
greater than it ever was before or stint
Furthermore, at the end OF that time
party asked for Its enlargement,
sfterward the republican party reduc
it. The republican party was ne'
organized for tariff protection.
Prentiss then showed how that DUR
the war Mr.. Morrill,, of Vermont, ii
chairman of the ways and means CO
mittee, reported the tariff bill and it '
W only for the purpose of raising mon
In this, government men must bear
burden Of taxation according to Il
ability to bear it. Congress should h
. taken off the severe tariff TAX before
!, income tax. He spoke of how rich I
went to congress, and. had the incc
10 tax that affected them taken of. but
tanned the tax on the body Of the PEG
Why was thisp Because the manu-
turers discovered they we've making G
profits out of the tariff tax, and there
! naturally exerted themselves to retain
: The Mills bill is not free trade d.
ment il provides merely for cutting d
the tariff from Al per cent to 40 per c
! Cleveland has wisely said that unne
\ sary taxation is unjust taxation, and
. r,oaav ,bus Iar;roJ M ,attar 49,