The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1891-09-26
DEMOCRATIC PICNIC AT UN1oNrowN.
Fine Weather-Large Attendance-orator
Vocal and Instrumental Music.

promised able speeches from eloquent orators
and vocal and instrumental music served to
attract a large attendance at the picnic
in Gilbert's woods, near the district village,
held under the auspices of the Cleveland
| Democratic Tariff Reform Club of Uniontown
district. They came from eight of the thir-
teen districts-representativ Democrats, men
who are always ready to aid the cause OF
| Democracy. Nearly One-half of those pres
ent were ladies, and it was noticeable they
were attentive listeners to the speakers. La.
dies do not vote, and they don't want to, but
they WELD an immense influence and do much
| toward directing public sentiment. Their
interest in public affairs is a good omen, for
they are keen observers, quick to detect in
justice and resolute in applying the remedies.
They were much interested in the exposition
Of the injustice and inequalities of the Me
Kinley tax bill, and readily comprehended
them.
The picnickers began to gather early, but
the maximum attendance was not reached
until after the dinner baskets were interviewed
and discussed. And such woods dinners
they were-luicy hams, tender roast beef,
tempting fried chicken, elegant bread aud
rolls, delicious butter, transparent lellies,
pickles, fruit, &c.
Dinner over, Mr.. Evan Haines mounted
the speakers stand and raped for attention.
He announced that the picnic was held under
the auspices of the Cleveland Democratic
Tariff Reform Club of Uniontown, which is
founded on the principles of Grover Cleve-
land, as enumerated by him in his immortal
message to Congress in December, 1887. Mr..
Haines then announced the following officers
President, David A. c. Webster; vice pres.
idents, j. Hamilton Singer and IL. G. Cover;
secretary, II. Ii. Weaver. The president then
inf fl.E rgf s,,aol-ar Hon ohm -
Poe, of Baltimore, the Democratic nominee
for Attorney General.
Mr.. Poe said it gave him pleasure to accept
the invitation to come and speak at the pic
mic, to meet the people of that section, to
view their beautiful country and to take part
in the preliminary meeting of a campaign that
is to end in the elevation of one OF Carrolfs
noble sons to the chief magisracy Of the state.
He complimented the club upon its organiza-
ton, upon the large gathering present, and
urged it on to success i'll the noble work for
which it is formed.
"As the club is tariff reform club, said
Mr.. Poe, ~ shall preach ontariT reform. |
will give you text somewhat longer than our
from our political bible-the platform of our
party adopted at the late state convention"
The speaker, before giving his text and
proceeding with his remarks on the tariff,
digressed TO make some remarks on local
conditions. He said there were usually more
candidates than places, and all of course could
not be chosen. This was always so, and ever
would be, but he urged all to cast aside feelings
of disappointment which were neutral, and
buckle on their armor for the fray against the
common enemy, remembering that those on
the bottom today would most likely be on top
at the next turn, and reminding them that by
work they would deserve and command sue
cess next time.
Returning to the subject of tariff reform,
he announced his text as follows:
1.-THE Republican party found upon the entry OF
President Harrison futo that office n people whose
opinions were no longer divided by sectional lines,
and who were prosperous and thoroughly united.
1t sought to sow again the seeds of sectional diseord
1t was beaten at the polls by an overwhelming
vote in spite of the machinery which IL employed.
Unable TO control the opinions of majority of the
of the Fiftvfrst Congress, il created
working majority in that House by illegally de-
priving. through the agency of the Speaker, num-
Der of Democratic Representatives of their rghiul
seats II then boldly sought to perpetuate its power
and to destroy the autonomy Of the several States by
means of the notorious force bill IL VIII certainly
renew the attempt &c enact that bill lift is connu
ed. in power.
grateful TO each ofthe Senators and Representatives
in Congress who contributed to the defeat of that
obnoxious measure, and now assembled in The
thanks for the great public service thus rendered
II takes peculiar pleasure in recognizing the distn
ylished services of the Hon. Arthur L. German |
whose firm and intelligent leadership of the opposi
ton 10 that bill contributed greatly 10 its defeat
1.-The people of the United States willingly sub |
nttcd during our civil war to all taxes duties inn
posts and excuses imposed by Congress 10 provide |
for the cost of that struggle and for the payment Of
The interest and principal OF the public debts Great
ii during the war. They have since the close of /
hat war cheerfuly borne many of those burdens |
Is were necessary for the proper support of the |
the complete maintenance OF lis credit
md the fulllment of its obligations to the soldiers
md sailors of the United States. The people will
wenfy i've Yeas ui cuntiIIIief i,v%oa rhose tass
ire not continued in force 10 promote the general
welfare but are maintained TO increase the profits |
IF combinations of particular corporate and indi-
sidual manufacturers or dealers. The existing |
ar IN system of the United States casts unnecessary
1nrlens upon all of our countrymen who are en- |
ragged in agriculture, labor, in the mechanical arts
,f monupolics. While these control the prices of |
necessary articles in the markets of the country and
combination the labor which they employ and |
maintain their power by the corrupt use of money
n federal elections. These abuses stand now in |
full view. The only method by which such evil |
an be corrected is by the election of President |
md Congress pledged to careful and thorough re-
vision of the tariff system, under which such |
grievances have become possible.
Mr.. Poe explained that the tariff system |
was plan by which the government raises |
money to defray the expense ofcarrying it on;
IS by the state and county, but by levying taxes
On goods imported into this country. There
ire two lists, he said, the free and the taxed |
Nov how ought our national legislators to
De governed in determining what ought to be
Tree and what ought to be taxed? BY ar
ranging the lists to the advantage of the great |
mass of the people. Free trade is like that |
the states in this Union. If you go
with your produce to Virginia you pay no
axes on it. If you go ten miles away to
you are not met by a revenue
officer to collect taxes upon what you have to
sell. As to foreign commerce, we charge a
AK upon goods brought to this country. The
AK is paid by the importer, charged on the
price of goods to the retailer, and by the re-
aier to the people,
The speaker then went back TO the Walker
ariff during Polk administration aud sketch
I'd its operations up to the war. During that
conflict, he said, an enormous revenue was
needed, and like sensible men Congress laid
he heaviest tax upon the necessities of the
people. 1t was not put upon diamonds and
costly silks, because they are not necessities,
md heavy tax would produce no consider
.ble revenue. Upon necessities large rev.
,nue was certain. When the war was over
me by one certain taxes were removed, the
irst being the stamp tax, the most easily col
!
popular prejudice, dating back to the revolu-
ion Then others were Topped off, but the
AK on necessities were retained, and are
oday. twenty-five years after peace was de-
dared Think of it, war taxes imposed n
luarter of a century after the war is over
Nine or ten years ago 9 commission, com
,osed exclusively OF Republicans, inquired
nto tariff taxes and the condition of the
country, and recommended substantial re.
luctions But the manufacturers and monop.
,lists came to the front, saw TO it that their
interests were protected, and the result was
IN actual increase in the average tax. Mat
ers ran on, and later Grover Cleveland was
,hosen President, and in response to the pop
liar demand penned that famed message to
congress that thrilled the country, solidifed
he party and gave the people hope. 1t was
bold, courageous, fearless message, clear,
explicit and forcible.
The protected interests again came to the
ront, put their own servants in power, and
he Mckinley bill was framed and passed and
S now the law. We are not organized for