Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-03-08

lie. He denounced il as great military and
political organization which had insulted the
President and dictated legislation to Congress.
He denounced pension legislation. and ridi-
culed the applicants for pensions He ac-
cused the Republican Senators of seeking to
obtain the soldier vote, and declared that if
the bill passed the Senate he hoped it would
Idle the death in the House, or receive the
Presidential veto.
This comes from a man who did all his
power to destroy his country who. perhaps,
with his own hand, crippled or killed some
brave boy in blue. and who is nov permitted
lOh. the irony of Fate to stand in the halls
of Congress and lift up his voice in ridicule
and sarcasm against the claims of those who
came TO the rescue in those dark days. II is
very plain to see why the distinguished
Senator from Missouri is not himself in the
aims house. He has drawn, during the past
nine years, as salary from the government
which he so vainly tried to destroy, sum
aggregating $4,000. And besides this he
receives thousand dollars per annum for
the service of private secretary who at
tends to large share of the Senatorial bust
ness, thereby giving the learned Senator
more time and greater strength 10 fight
soldiers pension bills. And Senator Vest is
a Democrat. a loving friend of President
Cleveland, and a constant visitor at the
Executive Mansion. Verify times have
changed since 1865. when | well remember
seeing Abraham Lincoln standing upon the
portico of the White House with barred
head. moisLened eyes, and trembling lips,
making brief speech 10 regiment of volun-
teers who were going home on a veteran
furlough.
The TARIFF BILL.
The interest in the tariff bill is now in-
tense. Nothing like it has been seen for "a
long time. Though intimately connected
with the Presidential question it has almost
overshadowed it. Members of the House are
more punelual in their attendance; they ex-
hibit an air of suppressed excitement. and a
compression of the lips indicates that the
members feel that great conflict is nigh.
And it is to be great conflict. The free
traders talk with boastful confidence, but |
cannot believe but that their boll front hides
faint heart. 1t is absolutely impossible
that such an iniquitous measure should pass
even a democratic House. Mr.. Reeds
characterization of the bill is the truest that
| have heard. He says, it is mot eco
nomic measure in any sense it is purely
political That is all there il to it, In its
inception, its conception, and its birth,it was
and is intended solely and wholly as a meas
ure to secure the denomination and re cleo
ton of Grover Cleveland to the Presidency.
The bill is devoid of merit, it is wanting in
patriotism, it is grossly inequitable, it is To-
cal in its effects, and il is blow to the in
dustries of the country. 1t is bid for the
laboring mans vote, under the spacious plea
of cheaper clothing, food &c, but the in
terests of the farmer and the gardner are
openly and numerically slashed, for it puts
all vegetables and many fruits upon the free
list That bill will never pass in its present
form, or in any form in near likeness to it,
Thomas b. Reed can be trusted for that
ESCAPING MARCH WINDS.
good many people from Maine are in
town now, many of them on their way to
Florida, there to spend few weeks, and re-
turn here in April. Some who come intend
ing to go farther south, find it so pleasant in
Washington that they go no farther. Oui
springs are early. Even now, in sheltered
places, the grass is quite green, and the red
blossoms of the naples may be seen every
where"