Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-10-20
ONE OF THE SAGES
William M. Springer, ne
Oracle OF Democracy,
DISCUSSES TARIFF REFORM
Aad Wutcat Banks 10 the Ciczens Of
Grand Rspids-A Synopsis Of Mr.
SpnnZsr's Address.

Local democracy had an inning last
nigat WITH the Hon William NJ.
Springer OF Illinois a. bat tie struck
out. not being able 10 reach Aeklnsey's
hign protection curves.
Towards : o clock the Salvstion army
held a seance IN CamPau square and
Al the close. the committee appointed
20 escort Mr.. Springer 10 hartmAn's
hall formed the procession. Murz-
bnrg's band went also. At the hall
there we're about 800 persons assem-
bled, women and republicans constI-
tntIug a majority of the sndIsDce.
Tue Only decorations in the hall
were a cfayon portrait of Grover
Cleveland, another OF Adlal aud
another Of the speaker. shortly after
5 O'Clock the PROCESSION together with
a dozen or So alleged wee presidents
marched on the stage. Most of those
that occupied seSts on the platform
were democratic candidates. Edwin
y. Gal introduced Mr.. Springer by III
forming the audience that IL had as
sembled 10 listen 10 q calm, unimpas-
aOned. didactic DISCUSSION of the great
pracip es OF tar,t reform. Then ne
w.nked MS other eye and the crowd
eheered.
One or the ssges.
Mr.. Uhl continued by stating that the
discussion Was To be performed by one
OF the sages OF democracy, and the
crowd cheered again. The ex-mayor
said the issues between the Two parties
had never been more closely defined,
Mt NJ ~ ~ VAH
the future as well a. TIE present. He
then introduced MIR. Springer, who was
gwen a short, bat very enthusiastic re-
ception. lie said; 1T gives me great
pleasure 10 stand before you to discuss
tne issues Of the campaign. ! shall en-
deagOr - present them in such man
uer not ~ Os offensive TO anybody.
Both of the leading candidates are too
we'll known to need any discussion.
Both have been before tue people; both
have been president. aud both are men
OF sterling worth and character"
Mr.. Springer attempted % show how
protection mad wrought injury TO the
great furniture factories OF Grand Rap
IDS, and continued:
Campaign OF Education.
"This u a campaign of education.
and | viii endeavOr 10 explain the POI
sitiOn OF the two great parties on the
tariff question. lt IS not difficult
question TO comprehend. The demo
cratic party believes that whoever has
anything TO sell should be permitted
TO take = 20 the market at which he
can get the most money for IL, and
also the right TO buy whore he can get
the most goods for his money. There
u but one exception TO this latter rule:
that the government may impose .
tarit on goods purchased abroad, but
this tariff must be for the purpose of
revenue only, and IN this way sum
cisnt amount, IN addition TO internal
revenue taxes, shou q be raised TO pay
the expenses of the government, hon.
estly and economically administered.
Ia other words. the democratic party
believes IN the doctrines OF selling and
buying IN the best market. But the
republican party insists that . tariff
shall be laid for protection. What Is
protection? It means that a tariff upon
foreign goods shall be imposed upon
such gods a. come into competition
with goods produced in this country,
and that the tar,f shall be so hlgh
upon foreign goods that. when added
: their price. which IL always done.
the goods made in the Unlted States of
ike character may be raised IN price
e. correspond with the prices paid for
foreign goods. increased TO the amount
OF the tariff. THIS IS protection, and
this alone. IL means, therefore. an III
creased price for cOnsumabIe commod-
titles. not only upon commodities pro-
duosd IN tins country but upon for
sign products which have paid the
higher prices for many of the ueces-
sarles Of life. hut does not bring IN
creased compensation for labor. nor to
farmers for their products. the prices
of which are regulated by the prices
fixed IN Liverpool, the free trade
market Of the world"
Banking issues
Upon banking issues Mr.. Springer
said Senator sherman and other
leaders of the republican party are try
iug 70 distract public attention from
the tar 4 ~ claiming that the demo
cratic party IL N favor of state banks
and state bank currency. This is sn
effort 10 evsde the great issue. OF the
greN aud paramount issue. At this time
ia thls campaign, but IT cannot be
downed or obscured by the desperate
cry OF wildcat currency. The clause
n the democratic platform favoring a
repeal OF the interval revenue tar OF 10
per cent on the circulation of state
banks does not make the pro-
pretty Of issuing state bank notes
a party issue. 10 u merely an er-
presEOn OF diapprobatiOn OF the tax
ing power OF the general government
tn interiors With the reserved rights OF
tha stale The tar on the circulation
OF ststs banks vas not imposed for the
purpose Of rsisIng revenue 70 support
toe government. but was for the pur-
pose II suprssslng the notes issued by
state bso<s IN order - give nanons'
hanks monopoly OF lssuing paper
money. Congress hss no more rigat TO
impose a tax apon the notes state
banks IN order TO suppress them than It
has impose tsx upon the deposits
and discounts OF s,ste and private BANKS