The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-09-15
HENRY wATTERSoN.
The Kentucky Editor Discusses the Party
Platforms Before New York Audience.

New YORK. Sept. A-A mass-meeting was
held tonight under the auspices of the Dung
Mems Democratic Club. at Cooper Union, with
an overflow meeting outside Col. Henry Wat
terson. OF Kentucky, was to speak on she 1.-TWO
Platforms and he was well received. Lyttle-
ton G. Garret,son opened the meeting. and in
troduced Colonel Watterson, who said:
"Fellow Democrats and w-citizens-Next
after being taxed to death, the most distressful
and lingering fate which can befall a people is
to be talked to death. Laughter II you were
not the most enduring and anable people on the
face OF the globe you might be excused for get
ting new party. which would do neither. But
In this country the thing we call politics ia not
usually first choice; it is what we call in
Kentucky, getting place. Laughter. do
not think that In the Mills bill the
country is getting anything like what il ought
20 have lappause in the reduction of
revenue and war taxes. The Mills bill embraces
concessions to what believe to be the unjust
demands of certain class interests which, as an
original proposition, never could consent to.
There are objections to it from free-trade
STAND point, but what proectionist can find TO
be- the matter with it l amtunable to define.
am going to try tonight TO put the platforms of
the two parties on the stand and let them say
how they stand on the great question The
present tariff is peace tariff on a
failed TO decrease them, but actually did
increase them. / have a little experience
10 platform making, bat il / had made this plat.
form OF nv friend Mckinley, / would not be
here tonight. Ii is funny in its errors, In its
blindness. in its very falsehoods. This platform
says the Republican party favors the reduction
or letter postage to one cent. but year before
this comic almanac laughter II mean this
platform-was written. Senator Beck introduced
a bill to this effect, and the Republican major
the SAnata sapt n tha m IN
postoffices and postroads, and Senator Beck has
not been able to resurrect it, Perhaps he will
have better luck after the cows come homo in
November
The Chinese plank amused Mr.. wat.erson,
and ne calculated, why, Harrison Kisses.
was Chinas own-tne oest and truest, and
almost the only friend OF Chinese cheap labor"
Referring to the fisheries srouble, Mr.. Waiter
son said. President Cieseland lcheers has
taken the British lion oy the tail ana snatched
him bald headed. Great laughter
Let rs come TO the issue of the campaign
continued Mr.. Watterson. They say they are
unaualihedy in favor OF tie American system
Of protection. Why, this system is no more an
American system than Russian, German or
French, for protection exists in al those coun-
tries. We have had high tariff, low tariff, war
tariff ana peace tariff, and we have had good
times and bad times under all OF them. There
were never such bad times the pauic of 1873,
after we had had this American tariff ten years.
This platform denounces the Mills bill as hostile
20 the manufacturing interests OF this country.
IL goes out OF its way on the wool question.
/ propose to make test case
of this, and break down this platform.
whose right wing rests on Mr.. Blaine its left on
free whisky and the center having no support
unless 1t be Mr.. Foster. 1 cannot see why the
wooden manufacturer objects. The Mills bill
proposes TO give him free wool and protection,
and yet he calls 10 q free-trade measure. and
says IL will ruin his business. Why don't
hear from the raisers of sheepi They don't hold
mass meetings 10 protest, and IL Is because the
farmer found out long ago that the tariff took
away at one end what he made at the other.
This platform proposes q scheme in lieu of
the Mills bill. and that is to abolish the
tobacco tax. Well, the Mills bill does
that but they give strange reason. They say
IL Is an annoyance and imposition upon agri-
culture. How about the tax on blows, barbed-
wire fence and everything the farmer usesl
Then they will reduce the tax on distilled spirits
used In the arts. Laughter. II this DO not
enough, IL there be still remaining q surplus,
they propose the repeal OF the internal taxes.
That means free whisky and dear blankets, free
whisky and dear everything else. II
L were rank free-trader L would lump at
this plank of Mr.. Mcknley's but il "a se-
cause L am not free-trader, because l am
a conservative man who loves his coSnssy
and all the interest OF all parts of il lappiAusel
that reject IL and take the Mills bill, detective
as IL is, because IL takes one step downward
from the mountain Of high taxes. and takes that
step with exceeding caution. Applause The
Democratic platform cannot be worse IL is q
great deal better. 1t is based on the Declare
tion OF lndepepdence. which was a protest
against unjust taxation and an appeal to the
people from corporations, combinations and
trusts. The Democrats party meets these quack
doctors with the simplest and plainest
statements of facts. They are fond of dilsung
upon the Presidents lack Of beauty. ADM.
that he may not be altogethe: lovely, but he is
one among ten thousand. for he Is doing the
part OF brave and honest man in taking care of
the peoples money aud business, aud makes mp
in honesty. industry and integrity what he lacks
OF those characteristics which better suit the
courtier than the President OF the United
States
Voices. ''How about bis wifel1)
Ibis wife has enough for BOTH replied the
speaker. Republicans take the workman up
on . high mountain and offer him the earth,
which don't belong to them laughterl. We
say to him, you will get work only when there
| is work TO do; We do not promise you riches
nobody can do that: but we do promise you to
| cheaper the necessaries OF life and 10 tighten
| your burden for you The lines ara drawn, and
] tho fight is On in earnest. The Re-
/ publican party Is wolf in Sleeps
| clothing. All its pledges which It
| had not previously discredited. it
| now disowns 1t has assailed every labor in
terest in the country through the antecedents of
| the head of its ticket and in his Know-nothiug
record he is an insult TO every forsiee born and
| every Catholic citizen. Its candidate for Vice
| president is not nominated fox the friends or
| enemies ne has made, but for the money lhe car
/ raise. There Is not q money making ring which
| will not subscribe to his campaign fund. We
| have nothing 70 rest upon excepting the brave
| and true hearts Of the people; but they are sufh
| Gent