The morning call., 1892-08-26
POLITICS IN MICHIGAN.
Congressman Springer Speaks for the
Democrats In Detroit.

Congressman Springer Speaks for the
Democrats In Detroit.
DETROIT, Mich, Aug 25.-More than
10000 people assembled to-day on the
grounds of the Detroit International Fair
and Exposition. it being political day."
Speaking began at l p. NJ, eX- Congressman
Dunneil of Minnesota repre- senting the Re-
publican party and making the first speech.
Colonel Norton of Chicago followed with
strong speech in favor of the Peoples party
principles ana candidates.
The last speaker was Hon. William NJ
Springer OF Illinois, chairman OF the Ways
and Means Committee of the National
House Of Representatives, who received
fattering reception. Mr.. SprInger's speech
was almost all devoted TO the tariff ques-
tion. BE said: IF protection has accom-
plshed so much FOR the country 1t must also
be held responsible for the evils which
have grown mp under protection and which
are fostered by it. During the past 25 years,
while protection has fourIshed in all It's
vigor, a vast army of individuals, firms aud
corporations. aggregating 100000. have sue
cumbed to the pressure of hard times and
gone into bankruptcy. Their aggregate liza
biitles have exceeded 81, SOC, ,O00, 600. The
number Of commercial failures Increased In
1891, as compared with the previous year
before the passage of the Mckinley bill u
per cent. and the liabilities in creased q per
cent"
The speaker referred to the rapidly in
creasing real estate Indebtedness in the
various States as q result OF the hardship
entailed upon the farmers 10 being COM
PEELED to pay all the bills of an expensive
protection system, designed TO foster a few
selected Industries at the expense of the
great agricultural classes. During the
period Of Democratic low tariff-a tariff for
revenue only-from 1916 to 1860, Is years,
the total number of strikes reported In an
official way was "a. During the past 10
years, under Republican high tariff there
have been over 5000 strikes aud lockOuts in
the United States, involving over 100000
employees"
Referring to the Homestead troubles Mr..
Springer denounced "the greed Of Carnegie
In attempting 10 gather 10 himself all the
benefits of protective tariff, which he had
advocated, and grind down the workmen to
starving condition. III there was ever a
labor contest" said Mr.. Springer, "in which
the laborers were clearly in the right it is
the one now being carried on at Homestead.
The mills are surrounded by State militia
and the barbarous treatment shown 30 one
oil the soldiers by his superior officers for
an offense which did not reach the gravity
OF mlsdemeanor under the laws of the
State shows the militia officers are fit in-
struments for the work in which they are
engaged"
Continuing, the speaker denounced the
Pinkerton system and recalled "that as
early as 1883 Democrats in Illinois had de-
manded its suppression, and General
Palmer had made his campaign on the issue
that the Government should be as strong as
the law and no stronger, and as weak as the
law and no weaker"
The report of the Senate Committee on
Finance. submitted by Senator Aldrich,
was quoted, in which the Republican Sem
ator admitted that the benefits of the Nc
htIley bill up to this time had on ly resulted
in raising wages three-fourths of ! per cent
higher in 10 general occupations. "What
ridiculous result of the benefits of high
tariff! Yet this is the best sho wing which
the friends OF the Mckinley bill could make.
The Democratic party insists that the tar fl
shall always bear the heaviest upon articles
OF luxury instead of upon articles of neces-
sity TO the poor man. and the Democratic
party Is opposed TO any tariff beyond that
necessary to raise sufficient revenues for the
expenses OF the General Government"