Montgomery County sentinel., 1890-09-05
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Mr.. McComas,

In the Press of August IA, Mr.. H. ii. NJ,
has written an article in high praise of Hon.
Louis Il. McComas, our representative in
Congress. From purely Republican stand
point, he well merits such eulogy. His un-
questioned ability, aided by his long expe-
rience, have won for him deserved recogni-
ton as one OF the foremost men now in
public life. He may have made enemies
within his party, but they do not appear to
be the best elements OF the party, by any
means. Any slight opposition that may
have been raised against him from promi-
nent Republicans in his district, can be
easily traced to disappointment at not re-
ceiving office, or some other merely local
cause. His devotion to the Republican par
ty has been earnest and consistent, and at
the election in November he should and
probably will receive the support of all par
tisan Republicans.
But there are certain reasons why men of
in dependent thought-men who place the
welfare of the country far above any party
cannot support Mr.. McComas this Fall, not
withstanding his talent, integrity and ripe
experience. Among these reasons, the three
folio wing are most prominent
1, A measure has recently passed the
Lower House, and is now pending in the
Senate, known as the "Force Bill, or the
Lodge Election law" Unless the whole
measure should arouse the indignation of
every American citizen. Is it "a govern
ment of the people, by the people, and for
the people" when the central power reaches
out and attempts 10 supervise or in any
manner interfere with the freedom of the
ballot box? Every intelligent person knows
that the bill is sectional that it is aimed at the
South. In the name of the United States
not the Northern, or Northeastern, or North
western States, but the United States-dd we
not have enough of such measures during the
Reconstruction period If the Force Bill is
right, then was the act of President Hayes,
in Withdrawing the troops from South Car
olina and Louisiana the act of a traitor, and
the past thirteen years of peace and real
union all a blunder and mistake. Yet Mr..
McComas was one of the strongest sup
porters OF this bill, both by voice and vote.
2. Another measure has passed the Lower
House, and is now pending in the Senate,
known as the Mckinley tariff bill. The
tariff question is so large, and so much has
been said upon it-statesmen take such op.
posite views, and the whole ground has
been so often covered, that will touch ON
it very briefly. Either the laws of Political
Economy are true or they are not. II they
are true, then the fact that nine tenths OF all
writers on the subject oppose the principle
involved in the Mckinley bill, is enough to
prove that it is wrong. Call them college
Doctrinaires," if you like, but il may be that
they can study the question more clearly
than those whose atmosphere is made haZy
by politics or selishness. II the laws Of
Political Economy are not true, or do not
apply to America, then we are forced to
rely on our own experience and observa-
ton. If protective egisa tion is II blessing,
then why is agriculture so depressed in this
favored country, after twenty five years Of
peace? Why are trusts and strikes, monopO
lies and mortgages ever on the increase ?
These arc questions that we must answer
for ourselves II we cannot believe writers
on Political Economy. 1t is useless to ap-
peal to party leaders, for we find the fore
most Republican in America saying of the
Mckinley bill ut will not open a market
for one bushel of wheat or one barrel Of
pork" while its supporters claim that II was
especially designed to help agriculture
And one of the supports of this bill was
Mr. McComas
3. Twenty five years after the last hostile
gun was fired, save few desultory Indian
Winchesters our army is yet more costly
than that of any other nation on the globe
We speak OF Europe being armed to the
teeth of being an armed camp, with mil
lions of men in active service, talk Of this
vast drain on the peoples resources, and
congratulate ourselves that lew thousand
soldiers suffice for US. Yet, with the possible
exception OF Germany, not one Of these
countries pays such vast sum as peaceful
America. Let no patriot ever forget the
noble service rendered by the gallant sol
diers who saved the Nation after four years
of civil war; but if the grand army that dis
banded in 1866, had been told that $780,
100000 would be drawn from suffering tax
payers in the year $780, to be distributed to
every suttler, hummer and drafted man who
chose to employ "a pension shark to urge his
claim, they would have hung their heads
with shame, instead OF feeling proud OF the
sacrifice they had made at the call of duty.
This pension legislation is pauperzing the
American people, it is turning into dis
grace what should be glory-that Of hav-
ing fought for ones country. II is bank
rupting the treasury, saddling the patient
masses with grevous and increasing bur
den, encouraging idleness and mendcancy.
Yet Mr. McComas is one of those RESPONSE.
BILE for it, ALLAN FARQUHAR.