The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1888-06-13
THE CASE FOR TAX REFORM.
A. TRANSFERABLE ARGUMENT.
Powerful speech Delivered by the Hon
l..i.am Z. Russell, Democratic Candi-
.3ate for Governor of 0Iassachusetts,
Springfield, July &c.

Low-DENoCRATs-For your cordial well
come am deeply grateful. ] take it not as
personal TO me, but as evidence of your interest
IN the campaign where our faith is at stake and
Is a sign of your devoted loyalty to the party,
irs principles its policy and its glorious lead
ers. l have come tonight not TO amuse you
with Jest and story, nor to argue my case with
sneers and defamation; but, In sober, Serl-
Gus way, TO discuss the great issue OF this cam
paign, and treat the question that just now IS
agitating the whole nation and Is OF practical
importance to every one of its 100000 citi-
zens. If speak earnestly and emphatlcally, II
Is because I sincerely believe that every prin-
ciple of the party to which am proud 10 give
my allegiance is at stake in this campaign.
That party has always stood for the liberty of
the individual for his freedom from unneces-
sary restrictions and burdens, for the equality
OF all men before the law, insisting that the
great power of the government should be used
not for a class interest, not tor sectional pUr-
pose but for the interest OF all and TO protect
and guard the rights OF the humblest citizen.
IGTeat applause.
We are met in the campaign by foe that
unblushingly says that the greatest power OF
the government-its power of taxation-is 10
be used, not to meet the necessities OF govern
ment. but 10 take from one and give t0anOther,
and u enrich the few at the expense OF the
MANY by placing upon all unnecessary bur
dens and unnecessary restrictions. For
minute let MS glance at the history OF the two
parties and see how they approach this QueS-
tion. The democratic party has always been
the peoples party lapplaUse founded on an
implicit trust In them, and ever ready 70 de
fend them, and each OF them, against any
power that dares to infringe upon their rights.
Under its influence, the first great war oil THIS
country, after It's independence, was under
taken to assert the right OF the sailor against
foreign power that Unlusuy dared TO impress
him into It's service; against a British power
that sought. in disregard OF his rights and his
citizenship 10 impress him iatO Its service.
Under jackson the democratic party waged
its first and greatest battle against great cor
poration and monopoly that was undertaking
10 use the immense power OF the gov
eminent Tor its interests against the
interests OF the people; ana that bat
Tie as every such battle when the
people are thoroughly aroused to their own
rights and their own interests, was successfully
fought against the greatest money power that
this nation has ever seeu- Applause Under
democratic influence second war was begun
and successfully carried against power
that dared TO encroach upon the rights OF this
nation; anu as a result, II added TO the nation
almost a bOundlesS territory that made Its
sweep from ocean TO ocean, APPLAUSE The
democratic party later met and successfully
oyercame great political party that dared 70
assert there was a distinction between our citi-
zens, and that those of foreign birth were not
entitled TO the rights and privileges OF Ameri-
can citizens. Applause. Still later, when
corruption stalking abroad IN the land en-
teTing the cabinet of president, with Its SIMS
Ter influence controlling legislation and dis
grazing legislators, the democratic party, true
10 its principles. exposed and fought the
great scandals that were hanging on the
footsteps OF wealthy corporations seek
ing TO influence the pOwe- of gov
erment 10 be corruptly used in their
favor lApplause.l The credit mobiller, the
whisky frauds, the star route frauds are but IN
stances OF a reign of corruption under repubh
can rule that for all time have made blot on
the history of this nation. Applause Later
still, democracy, under the lead OF glorious old
Thurman tremendous applause and waving OF
bandanasl for the first time brought thc great
Pacific railroad corporations TO sense OF their
obligations and duty to the national govern
ment. Loud applause Time and again the
party has stood Tor the right of a state in time
Of peace, to govern itself, and against the en-
,roaching power OF the national government.
4 has resisted and forever defeated the odiOuS
,ule OF carpet-bag government lApplause.I
And last, but not least, under President Cleve-
land tremendous cheeringl, it has again stood
;or the rights of the people against powerful
corporate interests, and restored TO the nation
thousands and millions Of acres Of public
snds to be reserved as hOmcSteads tor the
people and not 10 be stolen by graSping cor
1OTatiOns. Applause.l
In this state the democratic party has enl-
phatically been the peoples party, watchful al
Tays OF the interests of the humbiest citizens,
ever ready 10 lend its mighty influence 10 help
the wage-earners by wise and proper legisla-
don, and finally compelling the republican
party to give them q small measure OF Justice
Applause. Many a time il has fought hard,
and often almost with success, for the abolition
of the poll tax as a qualification FOR voting be-
leving that mans manhood, and no accident
Of birth or fortune, gave him right 10 the ey-
ercise Of political power. LApplauSeJ 1t
would be strange, indeed, II had not taken this
pOsitiOn. The Drawn and Sinew of the party is
fhe laboring man; and when the party acts,
il is the organized action of the plain and
humble citizens OF this commonwealth. APP
plause.l
For a single minute let us look now at the
history of the republican party. 1t was born,
] admit. for great and glorious mission, 10
arouse this nation and To marshal its con
science against the great evil OF slavery. And
when, BY the united action of democrats and
republicans, that object was accomplished and
the result of the war had been put into the con-
stitutiOn and legislation Of this nation, the only
mission OF the republican party was ended, and
IL would have been well for is history ii II had
then quietly died. Laughter and applause
As the party in power, II soon became sur
rounded by selfish interests that demanded, IN
return for their support, its services, and stead
lily, year by year, Tor twenty years 1t has been
driving out OF It's ranks Its leaders and its con
science. In 1872 Sumner and Irumbull and
Greeley and many others that had made the
party famous left it, disguised with the cor
Iuption that had followed upon its yielding to
selfish interests. In 1876 it was found guilty Of
the greatest political fraud that has ever been
perPetrated upon the people OF the nation.
IApplause. soon after there began to leave
1t men for conscience sake, who organized the
prohibitory party because they believed that
the day had passed when the old republican
party could carry ont any great moral agita-
ton or accomplish any great reform.
And finally. in 1881. when the republican
party had the courage OF It's audacity and nom
mated one who represented all that honest men
sbhorred in political life, there came another
great revolt that finally, aud trust permanent
~, hurled itfrom power. tApplause.l Tear
by year, aud almost day by day, it has been
driving from its ranks men who had no other
thought or wish than pure, honest and unselfsh
government; and il is now left absolutely con-
frolled by selfish interests, violating its prom
Uses 10 the people. repudiating It's past plat
FORMS eating its own words and turning its
back on the past accommodation Of its present
leaders: best described now, perhaps in the
language OF a republican senator from New
England, that was not meant for publication,
when he said it had become the humble serv-
ant Of these people who have been gathering
their millions"
] charge the republican party in this cam
paign with hypocrisy, deceit and violation of
It's past promises; and out of It's own mouth
believe | can convict it and at the same time
answer the scare they have endeavored TO raise
by the CRY Of free trade. With this as their
past history, the two parties approach the great
question OF tariff reform. Surely the natural
inference would be that the peoples party
would, by its policy, serve the peoples inter
esIs.
There are certain facts 10 this discussion that
ell c0neede. There is no question that the
present tariff IS war tariff, instituted for war
.