Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1888-11-02
PettifOgging Misrepresentation.

The address OF Mr.. Dunbar at the
Republican meeting, in Columbia Hall,
Wednesday evening, embraced very
able and exhaustive review of the tariff
question. 1t was, like Mr.. Aliens
speech, carefully prepared and we'll
committed and was filled with many OF
those Gartieldian church-going bell |"
sentences, which so delight the ear of
adolescence. We doubt whether there
was a single Democrat in the audi
ence who would have disputed any
one of his leading propositions regard
ing tariff duties, He was opposed to
free trade; so are all true Democrats.
He was in favor Of tariff for revenue !;
so are all true Democrats. He was
opposed te the importation of pauper
labor; so are all true Democrats. He
was opposed to anything that would
restrict American manufacture; so
are all true Democrats. He was in
favor of protecting American indus
tries; so are all true Democrats. He
favored protection of American pro-
ducts; so do all true Democrats. He
was opposed to forcing American
workmen to compete with Chinese
labor; so are all true Democrats. In
fact Mr.. Dunbar's position is well
stated in the following extract from
one of the platforms:
"In making reduction in taxes. it is not pro
posed to injure any domestic industries, but
rather to promote their healthy growth. From
the foundation of this Government, taxes col
lected by the Custom House have been the
chief source of federal revenue. Such they
must be- Moreover, many industries have
come to rely on legislation for n successful
continuance SO that any change OF law must
be at every step regardful Of the labor and cap
ital thus involved. The process of reform
must be subject in the execution to this plain
dictate of Justice
All taxation shall be limited to the require
ments of economical government. The neces
sary reduction of taxation can and must be
affected without depriving American labor OF
the ability to compete successfully with foreign
labor, and without imposing lower rates OF
duty than will be ample to cover any increased
cost of production which may exist in conse
quence of the higher rate OF wages prevailing
III this country"
But 10, and behold! That is from
the Democratic platform, suggests a
Republican friend. True it is, and so
was Mr.. Dunbar's speech Democrat
ic speech, when freed fro m the mis-
tatements intended to deceive his
auditors into the belief that it was Re
publican doctrine. In order to do.
this, he set up man Of straw, labeled
it "Free Trade" and proceeded to
pound it vigorously i'll the name Of
Democracy. The dodge did not win
and Mr.. Dunbar's applause was stint
ed.
He was succeeded by Mr.. Wilson, OF
Spokane Falls, who, beginning in @
tone of voice that would rival the
notes of base viol, gradually increased
its tension until his utterances attained
buzz-saw intensity, while the speaker
jumped about the stage like harlequin
at the end of rubber string. Hi.
speech was of the most approved Re
publican pattern: all are alike in thai
respect. He waved the ensanguinet
garment; eulogized the Republican
party and denounced Democrats, and
that was all there was..of it.
A noted indication OF the component
elements of the Republican party was
afforded by those who sat on the stage
at this meeting. There were bu
three laboring men of the % who
presented themselves to view as figure
heads, and there were just % active
" coon-hunters" and those who
thought they had struck the scent fol
"coon," in other words Office seekers
in the number. The three laborin,
men were out of their element, as they
will find when their services of election
strikers are no longer needed.