The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-09-18
STEVENSON ON THE STUMP
The First Assistant POstmaster-General
Shows PerniciOus Partisan Activity,
And Delivers an Address Before an Assem-
blage Of Illinois Notwithstanding
Reports as to Condition of Thurman.
He Argues the Democratic Side of the Cam
vass Before an Illinois Audience.

He Argues the Democratic Side OF the Cam
vass Before an Illinois Audience.
SHELBYvILLE, H., Sept 17.-First Assistant
Postmastsr-general A. E. Stevenson was warm
ly received by the Democrats of this city and
vicinity to-day, and delivered an address on the
issues of the campaign. His remarks were well
punctuated with applause. The following is an
abstract Of his address:
He began by requesting the respectful atten-
ton of all. "In the excitement of the contest
let US not forget" he said, ''that we are all
American citizens, with a common history. COM
mon traditions, and q common destiny, and in
terested alike in securing wise legislation and
honest methods in the administration of the
government" After referring to the predictions
OF the Republican leaders four years ago,
that disaster to the country would
follow Democratic success, he said: what my
fellow-citizens, has been the result OF three and
a half years OF Democratic ADMINISTRATION
More than $500, 600, 900 OF the public debt has
been paid since the inauguration or President
Cleveland. Hs great office has been admins
tered with eye single to the glory OF the ma
ton, and to the protection Of the humblest citi-
zen. He has stretched forth the strong arm OF
power readily and promptly on behalf Of the
humble settler, Guilford Miller, in his contest
for his little home, with the land-erabbers in
Washington Territory, as TO assert the
rights and dignity of the American nation in the
fishery contest with Great Britain. All depart
ments of the government have been economical
ly and honestly administered
OF the Postofice Department under the pres
emit Postmaster general and his immediate pred
ecessor he said that never was it more ably or
economically administered. Referring to the
matter of pensions he said: ''How have Union
soldiers Jared under q Democratic adminstrs-
toni Let me give You the record: President
Lincoln. during the entire period OF his Office.
signed forty ono private pension bills; johnson,
Adj; Grant. himself the greatest soldier, during
the eight years, gave his official sanction to but
400; Hayes. ic four years, 303; Garfield and
736; while President Cleveland, during three
and . half years, has signed 1863. These are
cold facts, as shown by the official records, and
no man can gainsay them. But this is not all
Under the present efficient Commissioner Of
Pensions, himself a gallant soldier, loo. 500
names have been added to the pension rolls.
In view Of the fact that the appropriations for
pensions alone now amount to 81 per cent
almost one-third-of the entire expenses OF the
government. no soldier need fear that his inter-
ests will not be faithfully guarded by the Demo
cratic party
Concerning the public domain be said: "By
different acts of Congress, while the Republican
party controlled every department OF the gov
eminent, log. 600. 900 acres Of the public lands
were don ated to railroad corporations. In thus
donating this vast area to the greedy corpora
tons which now. with iron grasp. control the
western half OF this continent, the Republican
The Democratic platform OF 1884 demands the
restoration Of these lands to the public domain,
&c the end that they might be occupied and
owned by bonsfdss settlers By his public
uttsrances, Presidents Cleveland stood pledged
to this policy. Have these pledges been kept
By legislation originating in Democratic
House and sanctioned by President Cleveland.
by orders of the Democratic Land Commission
the Interior, So $50 900 acres have been actually
restored to the public domain aad opened to en-
try and settlement But this is not all. The
Commissioner Of the General Land Office has
recommended the restoration OF Go GOO. 600 acres
in addition"
The speaker then entered upon an elaborate
discussion Of the tariff question, in the course Of
which he SAID: But the lahore r ie told that
free trade will reduce his wages Do not be
misled, 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 10 be met by tariff
dasias and by in,sfnai revenue taxes upon to-
bacco and spirituous liquors. But mas
much the taxes now paid are
ten million dollars month in
excess Of the needs of the government. they
must be reduced. We propose that internal
revenue taxes remain as now, and tariff taxes
be reduced an AVERAGE rate OF per cent. and
you are told that this is free trade. In othe,
words, cheapenng to the people the necessaries
OF life BY saving sl0,000,o00 mouth to the
pockets or the taxpayer, sno thus checking the
unnecessary accumulation In the treasury is By
the protsctionists denounced as free trade.
Need argue to you that it is o rather thau
ablessing to be unnecessarily tAxedl Who receives
the benefit OF high tariff Does the laborerl No,
At ALL 1t increases TO him the cost Of food and
shelter, and clothing. Does the manufactures
increase your wages when the tariff IL increased
No such case can be found. He 10 the sole ben
eficiary Of the high tariff Millonaires are now
numbered by the thousands. when, but q few
49, g..
Of your hand"
General Stevenson, in conclusion paid a high
compliment to President Cleveland, saying
'This man we again present for your SURFACES
firmly persuaded that the verdict of the people
will be: We'll done, good and faithful servant