Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1888-09-18
Strikes Straight Out from the
Shoulder.
AN EXPOSITION OF DEMOCRACY,
That Will Go Home to Every Voter in
the Land.
The DEMOCRATIC ADMINISTRATION
Finds an Eloquent Defsnder-lt Has Re-
stored Public Lands, Granted Liberal
Pensions and Proposes to Reduce
the Burdens Of Taxation.

SHELBYvILLE, ILL, September IL
First Assistant Postmaster General A. E.
Stevenson was warmly received by the
Democrats of this city and vicinity to-day
and delivered an address upon the issues
of the campaign. His remarks were
punctuated with applause.
General Stevenson began his address by
invoking a respectful hearing from all
parties. "In the excitement of the con-
test let us not forget" he said, that we
are all American citizens, with common
history, common traditions and common
destiny, and interested alike in securing
wise legislation and honest methods in the
administration of the Government" Af-
ter referring to the predictions of the Re-
publican leaders four years ago, that dis
aster to the country would follow
Democratic success, he said: "What,
my fellow citizens, has been the re-
suit of three aud half years
of Democratic administration? More
than three hundred millions of the public
debt has been paid since the Inauguration
of President Cleveland. His great office
has been administered with an eye single
to the glory of the nation and to the pro-
lection of the humblest citizen. He has
stretched forth the strong arm of power as
readily and promptly on behalf of the
humble settler, Guilford Miller, in his
contest for his little home, with tine land
grabbers in Washington Territory, as to a.
sert the rights and dignity of the Ameri-
can nation in the fishery contest with
Great Britain. All departments of the
government have been economically and
honestly administered. OF the Postoffice
Department under the present Postmaster
General and his immediate predecessor, he
said that never was it more ably or
economically administered.
LIBERAL PENSIONS. &.
Referring to the matter of pensions, he
said he would have the soldiers know how
we'll they Jared under a Democratic ad-
ministration. Let me give you the rec
ord; President Lincoln, during the entire
period of his Office, signed al private pen
sion bills; johnson, 431; Grsnt himself
the great soldier daring 8 years gave
his official sanction to but 400. Hayes in
years 3O3. Garfield and Arthur together
during years 1856. While President
Cleveland during three years and half has
signed 1859. These are cold facts as
shown by the official records and no man
can gainssy them. Bat this is not all.
Under the present efficient Commissioner
of Pensions, himself gallant soldier,
1876, ,3O3 names have been added to the
pension roll. In view Of the fact that the
appropriations for pensions alone now
amount to thirty-one per cent, almost one
third of the entire expenses of the govern
ment, no soldier need fear that his inter-
eats will not he faithfully guarded by the
Democratic party.
RESTORED PUBLIC LANDS.
Concerning the public domain he said:
"By different acts of Congress, while the
Republican party controlled every depart.
ment Of the government, one hundred and
ninety-six million acres of the public lands
were uUuObCu W W. Yiotiohos IL
thus donating this vast area to the greedy
corporations, which now with iron grasp
control the western half OF this continent,
the Republican party committed crime
against the people. The Democratic plat
form of 1884 demanded the restoration Of
these lands to the public domain, to the
end that they might be occupied and owned
by bona fide settlers. By his public ut
terances, President Cleveland stood
pledged to this policy. Have
these pledges been keptP By
legislation originating in a Democratic
House and sanctioned by President Cleve-
lend and by orders Of the Democratic Land
Commissioner, sanctioned by the Demo-
cratic Secretary OF the Interior, eighty
millions, six hundred and ninety thou
sand acres have been actually restored to
the public domain and opened to entry
and settlement But this il not all. The
Commissioner of the General Land Office
has recommended the restoration of sixty
five million acres in addition.
REVENUE REFORM NOT FREE TRADE
The speaker then entered upon an elsb-
crate discussion of the tariff question, in
the course Of which he said: But the
laborer is told that free trade will reduce
his wages Do not be misled, 1 pray you.
1t is your battle we are fighting. We do
not and never have advocated free
trade. Let me State explicitly
the creed OF, the Democratic party.
The expenses Of the government must
continue to be met by tariff duties and by
internal revenue taxes upon tobacco and
spurious liquors, but iDasmuch as the
taxes now paid are ten million dollars o
month in excess Of the needs Of the govern
ment, they must be reduced. We propose
that the internal revenue taxis remain IS
now aud that tariff taxes De reduced an av-
ersge rate per cent, and you are told that
tins is free trade; in other words cheaper
ing to the people the necessaTies OF life by
sewing ten million dollars month to the
pockets of tax payers and thus checking
the unnatural accumulation In the Treas
ury is by the prctectionists denounced as
free trade. Need argue 70 you that
il il a curse rather than . blessing
to be unnecessarily taxed. Who receives
the benefit of high tariff? Does the
laborer? Not at all. II increases to him
the cost of food and shaltsr and clothing.
Does the manufacturer increase your
wages when the tariff is increased? No
such case can be found. He is the sole
beneficiary Of the high tariff. Million
aires are now numbered by the thousands,
when but few years ago You could count
them on the fingers of your hand.
Gen. Stevenson in conclusion paid
high compliment to President Cleveland
and said: "This man We again present
for suffrages, firmly perruaded that the
verdict of the people will be well done,
good and faithful servant"
Washington Notes.