The Iola register., 1888-05-11

the history of the Senate. 1t was o
proud day for Kansas and proud day
for Ingalls,.
TRIUMPHANT DINoCRACY.
On the tariff question democratic
newspapers are like pring winds. They
blow hot and cold in the same breath.
Paragraph upon paragraph, display
ing all the wit, logic and argument of
the editorial brain Is written to show
the poor voter how he is ground into
the dust by the "robber tariff" Now
the taxed trace chain is dangling along
his path; now a long illogical rambling
article about taxed pig iron, until the
reader is so bewildered that he has a
confused idea which is the pig, which
is the iron and which is the editor.
Having led the reader into this laby-
rinthine path, the editor proceeds to
pull taxed wool over his eyes.
There need be no serious objection to
this mode of argument, If it closed
here, but the editor then declares that
his party is not in favor of free trade, it
is the wicked republicans that accuse
them Of that. They are always at it,
yes they are.
When the President aud his more
humble followers hold up the iniquities
of the tariff, how it is making the rich
richer and the poor poorer, builds up
monopolies. grinds down the laborer,
mortgages the farmer and bewilders
everybody why in the name of COM
mon sense, and by every law of good
craftsmanship do they not declare in
favor of free trade and let the coming
battle be fought out on that ground?
Or forever hold their peace about the
robber tariff. But as it is very evident
that the democratic party will not
cease to cry out against the tariff, al
though denying the right to be called
free traders, their opponents must be
prepared to deal with them as such.
A great deal has been said about the
beauties of the absence of the rObber
tariff on the English shores, and voters
English voters especially are appeal
ed to to support the democratic ticket
to carry out an idea 30 dominant and
successful "over there" But careful
study of the question will reveal the
fact that free trade in England is not
dominant and its success is seriously
questioned. In England all idea of
"protection" has been abolished in the
levying of duties on imports, but the
policy Of putting duties on articles, for
the purpose of raising revenue, causes
some..irregularities and Inconsistencies
which are much worse than any sys-
tenn adopted by this country with the
idea of protecting home industries.
1 have said that the free trade idea
is not dominant in England and in
support of that statement it is only
necessary to point to the Fair Trade
agitation which is being SO vigorously
carried on. And-let the free trader
bear in mind-the speakers say ''Look
at America, see what protection has
done for her" OF course the cases are
not parallel at all, SO that the compar-
isUn is irrelevant. But on the other
hand it is no parallel case to cite the
case of "Free Trade England" when
the democracy comes round wagging
itself all over and asking for office.
l have no desire to confuse the read
er's mind by quoting Ad Valorens or
any other Latin individual, but may
suggest that it would be unwise to re.
verse financial policy that has been
so successful in this country and that
any party or statesman who would
attempt to revise the tariff laws, with.
out some consideration for the business
interests of the country is unworthy
of the confidence Of the people.
A look at the Mills tariff bill will |
show that there is a fair sprinklirg of
sugar on the eide the democratic bread |
is buttered and may have small effect |
on the revenue, and yet bring a vast
Of distress on many portions of
the country.
Triumphant democracy has shown
clearly that it has no more idea of dis
posing Of a surplus than it has of cre-
ating one. So in the interest Of the
man, whether he swings the
pick, or guides the plow, tends the
sheep or milks the COW, the country
should look to the party, the offspring
Of whose genius the surplus is to again
guide the ship of State from the quick
sands on which for a second time tri-
democracy has allowed it to
stand. Yours faithfully,
JAMES p. PRICE.
A WITTY sCOLD.
The following note was appended to
he Graceful Acknowledgment" that