St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-09-19
The Illinois Statesman Gives
the Republicans a Left
Handed Blessing.
An Electrical Address in the
Black Republican District
Of Iowa.
The Sham Reciprocity of
Blaine Is Punctured in
Fine Shape.
It Is Made With Those Coun-
tries Which Sell and Buy
but Little.

SPENCER, To-, Sept. 18.-The largest
Democratic demonstration in the his
tory of Northwestern Iowa was present
ed in the meeting here this afternoon
that was addressed by Congressman
William NJ. Springer, of Illinois. The
counties of this region, thirteen in num-
Der. composing the Eleventh congress
slopal district, have, with two or three
exceptions, heretofore given heavy Re
publican majoritieS, constituting the
Republican stronghold of Iowa. Spen-
Ger is in the heart of this region, and.
until the visit of Mr.. Springer, no Dem
ocratic orator of national prominence
had addressed the people of this strong
hold. When the meeting opened fully
1000 people had crowded into the old
rink building. quickly exhausting the
seating capacity of the hall, the late
corners taking refuge in the windows or
c0ntenting themselves with standing
room. The heat was intense, but de-
spite the discomfort Mr.. Springer held
the close and earnest attention Of his
audience for an hour and a half while
he discussed the Issue of the national
politics. His remarks were repeatedly
interrupted by cheers and other demon
stration of approval.
NAr. Springer Said:
At no time during the past thirty
years has the Democratic party been III
complete control of both branches of
congress and the presidency. During
six congresses there was Democratic
majority in the house of representa-
tlves and during one congress. i'll the
senate, and during one presidential
term of four years the president was a
Democrat. But at no time could the
Democratic party enact new legis-
lation or repeal that which was
old without the consent of a. Re-
publican senate or president. The Re-
publican party is, therefore, responsible
for the legislation of the country since
1861. That some of the legislation dur
ing this time has been wholesome, none
J deny; that much of it has been vicious,
unjust and oppressive, many of us as
sert and believe. The most important
legislation during this period is that
which relates to taxation. To the leg
lslation upon this subject l ask your at
tention. Soon after the war began it
became necessary to raise a large reve-
nue.. Taxes of all kinds were imposed
Taxes upon incomes, upon occupa-
lions of all kinds, upon bank checks,
upon conyeyances and SUGGESTIONS,
upon domestic manufactures and pro-
auctions, and upon goods imported
from foreign countries, Soon after the
war was over congress repealed most of
these taxes, especially those bearing
heavily on the wealthy and those most
able to pay. The income tax, taxes
upon bank deposits, succession taxes
and stamp duties, and all internal taxes,
except those on liquors and tobacco,
Rave All Been Repealed.
But the taxes which bear heaviest
upon labor and the agricultural interests
have been generally retained and
greatly increased from time TO timd.
The last congress passed what is known
as the Mckinley bill, which further in
creased the taxes which bear heaviest
upon the great mass of the people. In
mediately after the passage Of the Nc
Kiniey bill the people at the
polls administered a severe rebuke
to its authors in the election
of members of the Fifty-second
congress. A majority of 15S members
were elected in opposition to that meas
ure. Its friends now insist that its pro-
visions were not understood; that they
were misrepresented, and after years
experience ask rehearing and new
trial. In Iowa, Ohio, New York and a
few other states important state cleo
which will turn largely upon
the merits of the tariff legislation
of the last congress. But the great
contest upon this question will occur in
1892, when another congress and a
president are to be elected, and the
question of tariff reform must then be
fought to a finish. 1t is important,
however, that in Iowa and other state
elections this fall, there should be no
step backward. Let the friends of tariff
reform move steadily forward, subordi-
mating all other questions to this over
shadowlng issue.
Agricultural Depression.
/ Notwithstanding the fact that the
tariff legislation of the Republican
| party was enacted, as is claimed, largely
in the intafest of agriculture, yet it is
conceded that there has been great de-
preston III this industry. The report
of the ways land means committee on
the Mckinley bill referred to the great
depressionithen existing in agricultural
industries, and attributed it to "a most
damaging foreign competition in our
of the Southland West are concerned
! there has been no competition from
abroad with their products, damaging
or otherwise. The great export product
| of the South is cottun-with that there
has been no competition from abroad.
| The Westiexports cattle, provisions and
| breadstuffs, and with those there is no
damaging foreign competition, nor can
there be in the very nature of
things. But the Mckinley bill, so
| far as it relates to agricultural
| products, assumes that such products
as the farmers Of Iowa and the West
raise must be protected from foreign
competition of like products In our
home market, and, in order ~ remedy
| this, the bill proceeds to rafse the tariffs
on wheat, corn, pork, cattle, horses, hay
| and farm products generally. If there
| is any direct benefit then in the recent
[ legislation of congress for farmers, it
| must be looked for in the increase of
| the tariff on wheat from 20 to 25 cents a
| bushel; on corn from 10 to 10 cents a
buShel; on hay from 81 to 81 per ton
| ON hogs from 20 per cent advalorem to
| $50 per head; on hams from 2 to
cents pound; on beef, mutton and
pork from to 2 cents pound; on bar
| ley from 10 to 80 cents buShel; on
/ horses aud mules valued under $3.50
from 20 per cent advalorem to $50 per
head; OH potatoes from Is to % cents a
pushed; on eggs from the free list to )
cents dozen, and ON some other arti-
| cles OF little Importance to the farmers
| of. Iowa. If the farmers of this state
and the West can discover In
these changes in the tariff laws