Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1890-10-09
era WORDS Speech.

What the Democrat prints as
rawford's speech in acceptance of
the democratic nomination for mem
Der of assembly is about what might
have been expected, SO far as un-
warranted misstatement and display
of bitter partisan rancor is CON
cerned; but there were those present
at the convention who fail to recog-
nize it as the rambling remarks
made by the gentleman at the time.
His representation that each family
of five pays federal tax of $4,000
per year is of course based on the
false theory that what the family
consumes of articles upon the like
of which there is an import duty,
whether the articles be of foreign
or home production, are enhanced
in value to the extent of the duty
on imported articles of the kind
consumed. The falsity of such
proposition is shown in the fact that
the selling price Of all articles of
manufacture is lower to-day than
ever known in democratic freetrade,
or low tariff periods. The statement
that the poor pay "a greater share OF
what he calls the tariff tax than the
rich, is unsustained by any evidence,
and at variance with common sense.
The poor man buys and uses prac-
tIcally nothing that is imported; Tex
cept sugar, which the Mckinley bill
puts on the free list, but upon which
the democratic Mills bill proposed
to continue "a duty of about 2 cents
per pound). The great bulk of ex-
pensive imported goods is purchased
and used by the rich and well-to-do.
The man or family who cannot find
American-made clothing, house fur
nishing, and other necessaries fine
enough to please him, is not 50 poor
as to need any sympathy, and only
when he buys imported articles does
he pay any federal taxation. Broth
er Crawford's statement that "fed-
eral taxation increased over AZ per
cent. from 1880 to $780," lacks even
the element of plausibility, and is
SO bold falsehood as to be ridicu-
lous. From 1880 to 1890 there has
been no general increase in the
tariff rates. On the contrary, there
has been some reduction. How
could there be the enormous increase
of percentage of tax without cor
responding increase of rates? That
the income of the government has
in creased from 1880 to 1890, under
substantially the same tariff laws,
does not justify the statement that
federal taxation has increased. AS
truly might it be asserted that the
farmers percentage of taxes had in
creased who in 1880 paid per cent.
or 800 on his so acre farm and little
improvement and stock, assessed at
81 900, and in 1890 pays 2 per cent.
or $50 on his farm of 800 acres
highly improved and well stocked,
assessed at $500.
Upon the school question the
orator touches very lightly. But in
of that as upon the eoonom-
ic question he violates truth. He
says "the republicans of Wisconsin,
would never attempt to generally
enforce the Bennett law" and "are
only using it to avoid the real qaes-
ton at ISSUE" If the republicans
have no intention of enforcing the
school law, why should the demo
cratic party so earnestly demand its
repeal? In obedience to the behests
of an un.American element of for
eigners the democratic party of the
state, including Bro. Crawford,
many months ago, began the assaults
upon this school law; thus making
it an issue, which they would now
gladly see eliminated from the cam,
paign, and which their present pol
icy is to belittle; but which the re-
publican party is proud to meet.
Don't be a coward, Bro. Crawford. |
Stand up like man and proclaim
your convictions on this question,
now that you are a candidate beg