The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-10-31

ADLAI II. STEVENSON.
sembled representatives OF the Demo-
cratic party OF tht United States. Since
that time have been engaged contin-
nally in the discussion before the people
Of many states of the union of the issues
emphasized by the convention and rep
resented by our candidate for President,
Grover Cleveland. Opportunity has
thus been denied me to write with the
care i would like the most formal answer
promised to your committee.
The full discussion of public questions
commonly expected from a candidate for
vice. president has been rendered less
imperative by the complete presentat ion
OF the Democratic creed by the gentle
man with whom have the honor to be
associated as a candidate OF the national
ticket. His treatment OF the issues now
before the country for discussion and
settlement was so complete that can do
little more than endorse his position and
give II the emphasis of my unqualified
approval.
The greatest power conferred upon
human government is that OF taxation.
All the great struggles of the past for a
broader political liberty have looked
toward the limitation OF this power by
right to tax, a right which should al
ways be limited by the necessities of
government and 10 benefits, which may
be shared by all. Whenever this power
is used to draw tribute from the many
for the benefit OF the few, or when part
OF the people are oppressed in order that
The remainder may prosper unduly,
equality is lostsight OF, injustice hardens
into precedent, which is used to excuse
new exactions, and there arise artificial
distinctions which the beneticiaries come
to look upon in due time as vested rights,
sacred to themselves.
1t is plain that our present inequitable
system OF tariff taxation has promoted
the growth OF sucn conditions in our
land, favored though il has been by an
Industrious and enterprising people, a
friendly climate, productive soil and
the highest development OF political lib
erty. IL the beneficiaries OF this system
shall be able TO add n new tenure OF
power to those they have already enjoyed
the development of these unfavorab.e
conditions must continue until the
power to tax will be lodged in those who
are willing and able to pay for the per-
petuation of privileges originally con-
ferred by contiding people, for the pres
ervation inviolate of their own govern
ment.
There is no longer prete1t or excuse for
the maintenance OF war tariff in times
OF peace, and more than n quarter of a
century after armed conflict has ceased.
The platform of the national Democratic
convention demands the reform OF this
system and the adoption in its place OF
one which will insure equality to all our
people. am in full and hearty accord
with these purposes.
The convention also declared its posi-
tion on the currency question in no un-
meaning words when 1t said in it's plat
form, we hold to the use of both gold
and silver and the standard money OF the
country and TO the coinage OF both gold
and silver, without discriminating against
either metal or charge for mintage; but
the dollar unit of coinage of both metals
must be of equal intrinsic and exchange
able value, or be adjusted through inter-
national agreement, or by such safe
guards OF legislation as shall insure tho
purity OF the two metals and the equal
power OF every dollar at all times In the
markets and in payment OF debt, and we
demand that all paper currency shall be
kept at par with and redeemable in such
coin.
To this plain and unequivocal declara-
tion in favor OF sound, honest money.
subscribe without reservation or qualh-
cation. safe circulating medium IL
absolutely essential to the protection Of
the business interests OF our country,
while TO the wage Garner, or the farmer,
IL 10 all important that every dollar,
whatever its form, that finds its was into
his pocket, shall be of equal, unuues-
toned aud universally exchangoabe
value and OF equal purchasing power.
Anotner ISSUE OF great moment IN the
pending contest IL the Force bill, the
magnitude OF which cannot be over
stated. 1t may mean the control of tho
election of representatives, in Congress by
the bayonet. Tue Republican party, by
its acts in the 5lst Congress and by its
platform in its late national convent Ion,
stands pledged to the passage OF this
bill. That IL Will pass when IL has the
power, no sane man can doubt. To all
our people who desire the peace and
prosperity OF our common couptry, this
question - all important.
Since my nomination l have been in
eight OF the southern and southwestern
states of the Union, and have talked
with men OF all classes and conditions
there. found n general and growing
apprehension OF evils, which AZ is be-
lieved would result from the passage OF
the Lodge bill or similar threatened leg
islation. found that the industries es-
tsblished by northern capital during Mr..
Cleveland's adm Illustration in a lanRuish-
ing condition; that the immigration OF
labor and the investment OF capital i'm
vitsd TO those states by the then peace
full condition, had in large measurs
ceased.
The enactment OF the Force bill into q
law, while IL would threaten the liabili-
ties OF the entire people, would undoubt-
edly retard the material growth OF the
states st which ~ IL especially aimed
would incite In many communities race
tro. sles, and invite retaltatory leglsla-
eion which vonld disinrb prepsrty VAL