Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-06-10
MIR. sHIRAs' VIEWS.
He Spenks on Protection. Immigration,
Roads, Navigation nnd Justice 10 the

He Speuks on Protection, Immigration,
Roads, Navigation md Justice TO the
Soldier.
Yesterday afternoon George Shiras, Ill.
declared himself again a candidate for Con-
gress in the Twenty-third Congressional
district. He talked freely on the subject,
but was somewhat surprised to find one in
terview, which he carefully dictated, appear
in an evening paper as an address to the
voters of the Twenty-third district. with his
name signed to it. It was not so intended.
To DISPATCH reporter Mr.. Shiras spoke
OF his position on various public questions.
He said:
GAS recent events, upon which it is not
necessary at present TO dwell, have led me
to again offer myself as a candidate
for the. nomination to Congress, it seems
proper, In view OF current misrepresenta-
tions, that should make brief statement
of my political principles. One of the most
important subjects of Congressional legisla-
tion is the tariff. have been trained in the
belief that the best method of raising neces-
sary revenues for the support of the Govern
ment is by taxing those classes of foreign
manufacture and productions which come in
competition with similar articles made and
produced in our own country; that
the creation and maintenance Of domestic
manufactures result in making the nearest
and, in the long run, the most reliable mar
kets for our agricultural products; that the
increased variety and number of vocations
and callings created by proper tariff system
is one of its most valuable features; and that
the wages of our toiling masses can only be
prevented from shrinking to the European
standard by taxing products of foreign cheap
labor.
Another Important subject that calls for
Congressional action at this time is the regu-
lation of immigration. 1t is my opinion
that our communities should be protected
from the arrival in large numbers of con-
tract laborers and of the criminal and pau
per classes of other countries. No one has
more lively sense than have of the i'm
mense debt our country owes to the millions
Of industrious and enterprising foreigners
who have, in times past, sought our shores
and helped make our country what it is.
Nor should such legislation countenance
the creation of religious dissentions. Never
theless, consistently with a due regaId for
the rights of foreign immigrants, there IS
room for just legislation in regulating the
admission of races Of people, which, like the
Chinese, are incapable of assimilating with
our civilization, and of the vast number of
criminals and paupers who are thrown out
Of their native countries upon us.
''The promotion of free navigation and
means of communication between the
various parts of our great territory is
another matter worthy of the attention of
the National Legislature, and I am
altogether in favor of just and liberal
Improvement by the General Government Of
those great thoroughfares, the rivers Monon-
gahela, Allegheny and Ohio. In this
respect it will be observed do not differ
from my late antagonist, Colonel Bayne.
Where I do differ from him is in thinking
that, if, and when the Government takes
possession Of the dams and locks of local
corporation, it should be accompanied by
payment to the men, women and children
who own them, and who legitimately invested
in them, of their fair value. This payment
would not be made out of the moneys of the
coal men and other shippers, but out Of the
Golfers of Uncle Sam, Gho can certainly
afford to be honest. Nor would the moneys
thus paid be withdrawn from our commun-
ity, for it would be distributed among those
who dwell with us and are of US. l wish to
be counted as an advocate of a thorough and
immediate system of improving and making
free our great water courses. I am
equally in favor of renewing and creating
national turnpikes. so essential to the con-
venience and property of the vast multi
tudes who reside at distance from natures
great waterways.
Gas member of the younger element in
our party can pledge the most sincere and
loyal adherence to all measures promoting
the welfare and material comfort OF the
Union soldier, to whom we owe debt OF
gratitude that time can never cancel, though
it may deprive US of the opportunity of
partially rewarding them if such legislation
is not Immediately acted upon.
''Such principles as these believe to be
within the sphere of party action. and to
such subscribe nv earnest support"