The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1892-10-19
mn. REID'S ACCEPTANCE.
The Republican Vice Presidential
Candidates Letter.
ISSUES OF THE CANVASS DISCUSSED.

Says, Is Clearly Set Forth in the
Party PIatform-Expedicnc of the
Policy of Protection.
New YoRK, Oct. 10.>-Hon. Whitelaw
Reid's letter accepting the Republican
nomination for vice president was made
public last night. 1t is addressed to
Hon. w. I. Durbin. Anderson. Ind,
and is dated ophir Farm, Oct. ls, 1899.
In it Mr.. Reid says:
when the nomination with which
the national convention had honored me
was formally announced by your COM
mittee l accepted it at once. In doing
90 l accepted also the principles set forth
In the resolutions adopted by the con-
vention as the basis of the appeal to the
popular suffrage.
'There will be no misunderstanding
as to the purposes of the Republican
party n this contest, and no doubt as to
the attitude of its candidates. What it
intends it has set forth in language that
cannot be mistaken; and they will strive,
by all the lawful means in their power,
to enforce its plainly expressed will.
Importance of the Platforms.
"The party platforms-so called-are
more important this year than usual.
Both the leading candidates have onco
commanded the approval of the Ameri-
can people in its highest form of express
sion. Attention is therefore concentrated
less on the men themselves and more on
the principles each is put forward to rep
resent, and would, in case of election,
be required to carry out.
ut is obvious that the really vital is
sues which this year divide parties and
demand popular decision are those re-
lating to the tariff and the currency.
Fortunately both sides have stated
their positions on these subjects with
directness, simplicity and frankness.
We favor protective tariff, and when
in full power made the present one.
Our opponents favor tariff for revenue
only, and promise the repeal of the
present one.
1--WE maintain that the tariff should
cover the difference in the cost of the
home and foreign products caused by
the difference in the home and foreign
wages for the labor employed upon it.
Our opponents distinctly repudiate the
proposition that American wages should
be considered in the matter, and declare
instead that tariff levied for anything
but for revenue only is unconstitutional.
The Party Differences.
1--WE maintain that the present tariff
has worked well; that it has developed
American manufactures, steadied and
increased American wages and promoted
the general prosperity. Our opponents
deny that there has been any increase of
prosperity under the present tariff. de-
clare that wages hayo been reduced, and
denounce the Republican policy which,
as they say, fosters no other industry so
much as that of the sheriff.
ave favor the system by which, when
we think the country ready for the re-
duction or abolition of duties. we insist
upon getting corresponding and recipro-
cal advantages from foreign countries as
the condition Of their enjoying these
advantages in our own market, Our
spponehts denouncc this reciprocity as
sham, and therefore inferentially pledge
themselves to its repeal.
"The sharp issues thus presented for
the decision of the American people cover
more comprehensively and more spcciti-
eally than ever before the whole range
of considerations relating to protective
tariff its sconstitutionality, its eNpediency,
its relation to wages, its practical work
ings, and the question whether, as it is
from time to time reduced, we should
throw away the advantages thus ex-
tended to foreign nations or should get
something i'll return for Them"
Mr.. Reid then goes on to say that the
constitutionality of protective tariff
has heretofore been thought established,
and notes that tariff bill avowedly for
t'the encouragement and protection of
manufacturers" was carried through tho
first congress. He also quotes from a
message to congress of Andrew jackson,
IN which the constitutionality of the pro.
tectiye system is maintained, and, COM
tng down to the present time, adds the
opinion of Hon. George Ticknor Curtis
on the same question.
Expediency of Protection.
Speaking of the expediency of pro-
tectiye tariff, Mr.. Reid says it has been
yindicated BY the experience of the last
thirty years, the most wonderful period
pf financial success over unheara of DIFF
Rculties in the record of modern ciyiliza-
ton. Under 1t and by its aid the Re-
publican management of our finances
bias resulted in the largest payment of q
national debt in the shortest time known
10 history, and in the simultaneous de-
Telopment Of the industries of the
,country and the prosperity of the people
on o scale without parallel.
Mr.. Reid points out that the true value
of all property in the United States has
Increased from S14, 900 000, 900 in 1860 to
e5s, 600 00o, 200 in 1890. making a total
increase in the thirty years OF. Republican
y$ule and under Republican protective
tariff Of 444 900, 900, 900, against the $14,
O0o, 600 900 in the previous $50 years He
proceeds:
"Our opponents join issue with us
directly and positively on the effects of
the present tariff. They deny that there
has been any Increase Of prosperity under
it, declare that wages have been reduced,
and denounce our policy, saying with q
meer it fosters no industry so much as
that of tho sheriff. IL has been fortu.
nate circumstance for the impartial pub
Tic, which desires above all to ascertain
the exact facts concei ming such as asser.
tion, that in the regular course of their
official duty number of Democratic
officers have since been required to re-
port the statistics In their several de-
lpartments bearing upon this subject.
Such reports have been made success
eiYely by the commissioner OF labor
Statistics, the bank commissioner and
the board of equalization of the state of
New York, by the chairman of the saw
bngs bank commission and the chief of
fhe bureau Of labor statistics of New
Jersey, and by others. All these reports
tend 10 show an increase during tho
Iyear 1891. under the present tariff. in
wages, in the value of products, in the
deposits in savings banks OF in building
land loan associations, and in the value
OF real and personal property as fixed for
purposes, not of speculation, but of tax
htion."
On Reciprocity and the Currency.
Coming down to the question of re-
ciprocity Mr.. Reid goes on to show tho
benefits derived from that policy, which,
he says, the Democrats have designated
as sham. On this subject he says in
part,
/ at is obvious that the new trade Tins
nnnne1 nartinllnrlx Will, n1,n ,ni,ui. -.