Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1888-10-03
Democratic Day.

OoMOGNubAC LAY.
Last Saturday. Sept. 18th, was the
biggest day in the history of Medicine
Lodge, there being more people in town
than were ever seen here at one time.
The occasion was the announcement
that Judge Martin, Democratic candi-
date for governor, was to speak here.
He arrived at l O'Clock accompanied by
Judge w. l.. Campbell, of Wichita,
candidate for associate justice ON the
Democratic ticket.
The distinguished gentlemen were
met at the depot by reception COM
mittee, the Citizens Silver band and
several hundred farmers in wagons and
on horses, and escorted to the Grand
hotel for dinner.
In a very short time the speakers
were escorted to Thompson's opera
house which was already full and over
flowing. The seven hundred seats on
the main floor were full, the capacious
gallery was crowded and then the stage
was crowded, the scenery having been
removed for the occasion.
The proceedings were inaugurated
with music by the Democratic glee
club followed by music by the band.
The meeting was called to order and
Judge Martin was introduced to his
hearers by E. p Caruthers. Judge
Martin commenced his speech by say
ing that he was not here to abuse any
body or any political party. He was,
and bad been, for the greater part of
his life, a citizen of Kansas, interested
in its people and its institutions and he
recognized that in this great free coun-
try every man had right to practice
any political faith that he might see
proper. For one, representing very
respectable element of the states pop
ulation, he was a Democrat and pro.
posed to advocate and make plain Dem
ocratic principles. He then entered
into discussion of the tariff question,
following the now accepted Democratic
theory that reduction of import du-
ties is necessary, logical and consistent
with the best interests of good govern
ment. He pointed out the fallacy OF
high protection as advocated by Repub-
lican orators and candidates, and chal-
lenged anyone to explain the true mean
ing of the Chicago platform. His an
alysis of the declarations of that plat
form were ingenious and convincing
and when he was through with it, there
did not appear to be much of the tariff
plank left.
Judge Martin brought out tremend-
Gus applause when he gave his "object
lesson" Taking an overcoat and hat
in one hand, he asked his hearers il
these were the articles they wanted to
buy cheaper; and then he produced a
bottle of whisky and twist of dog-leg
tobacco and holding these out with his
other hand he asked: "Or is it cheaper
whisky and cheaper tobacco that you
are asking for?" The effect of this I'M
expected lesson was wonderful, and his
audience cheered for minutes. Still
holding out at arms length the four OBJ
jects, he proceeded to refer to the Re-
publican declaration that rather than
surrender any part of the protective
system, they would favor the entire re-
peal of the internal revenue taxes.
Then, " he said, 'they would give us
free whisky, free tobacco and free oleo-
margarine rather than cheaper blank
cts, cheaper clothing and cheaper nee
essaries of life"
An illustration that he used, to show
that the importer did not pay the tax
while the consumer did, was so plain
that anyone could understand. He
said that with his daughter he was on
the Canada side at Niagara Falls where
he bought a feather fan, manufactured
on this side, paying for it one dollar.
Returning to the American side of the
river, he was met by customs house
officer who made him pay sixty cents
import duty on that fan. Going into
store on the American side, he priced
a fan exactly like the one he bought in
Canaca, and found it would cost him
exactly one dollar and sixty cents.
Judge Martin wanted to know who was
paying the dutyY
He spoke for one hour and a half,
though very hoarse, and held the undi-
vided attention of his audience, made
up in great part of farmers who had
come from every part of the county.
He only stopped when warned that it
was nearly train time.
Judge w. p. Campbell, of Wichita.
followed Judge Martin and spoke for
fifteen minutes in a very entertaining
manner, but he could not 60 into de-
tails and had to quit before he got well
started.
The train had been held so minutes
and the speakers were billed to address
big meeting at Wellington in the
evening. They were driven to the de-
pot just it time to catch the train.
They were delighted with their Med
iclne Lodge reception and the people
were delighted with their distinguished
visitors.