The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-09-06

founded for their wives and children. No intsl.
hgent advocate Of the protective tariff claims
that il Is able OF itself to maintain q uniform
rates Of wages witho Il regard to fluctuations in
the supply Of and demand for the products OF
labor. But it is confidently claimed that
protective duties strongly tend 20 hold up
wages and are the only barrier against re-
duction TO the European scale. The southern
states have had liberal participation in the ben
e1tS Of the tariff law, and though their repre-
sentatives have generally opposed the Drotec-
ton policy / rejoice that their sugar,
rice; coal ores, iron, fruits, cotton,
i5ft u the fate which the votes OF their repro
sentatives would have brought upon them.
In the construction Of the Nicaragua canal. In
the establishment OF American steamship lines,
these states have also special interests and all
these interests will not always consent to be
without representation at Washington
Shrewdly, but not quite fairly, our adversaries
speaS only Of the increased duties imposed upon
TIN, pearl buttons and other articles by the Nc
Kinley bill, and omit altogether any reference
to the great and beneficial enlargement Of the
free list. During the last fiscal year
Si53, 000,772 worth of merchandise-Over
55.35 per cent. OF our total importa'ions-
came in free the largest . rcentage
ia our history, while in 1889 the percentage OF
free importations was only 3D. ~ per cent
The placing OF sugar upon the free list has
saved to the consumer ia duties in fifteen
months, after paying the bounte5 provided for,
SoGOOlOOO, This rslet has been substantially
felt in every household upon every Saturday
purchase Oy the WOrkilglnaO.
One of the fRvorite arguments against the
protective tariff IS that it shuts US out from
participation in what Is called, with swelling
emphasis, the markets OF the world" II this
view Is not false one, how does IL happen
that our commercial competitors are not able
TO bear with more serenity our supposed sur
render to them OF the markets Of the world"
and how does it happen tuat partial loss Of our
market closes foreign tin plate mills and plush
factories that still have all the other markets.
Our natural advantages. our protective tariff
and reciprocity policy make It possible
for US to have large artlCipatlOn in tho m r
kets of the world without opening our own to
competition that would destroy the comfort
aud Independence of our people.
COINAGE OF SILVER.
The resolution of the convention in favor Of
bimetallism declares, think true, and necessary
conditions of movement that has, upon these
lines, my cordial adherence aud support. l am
thoroughly convinced that free coinage OF silver
at such a ratio TO gold as will maintain equality
10 their commercial uses of the two coined
dollars, would conduce to the prosperity of all
the great producing and commercial nations OF
the world. one essential condition IS that these
dollars shall have and retain equal acceptablity
and value in all commercial transactions. They
not only medium of exchange, but
measure of value.
And when two unequal measures are called
in law by the same name, commerce is unset
tied and confused and unwary and the ignorant
are cheated Dollars OF unequal commercial
value will not circulate together The better
dollar is Withdrawn and becomes merchandise.
The true interest of all our people, and eSpeci-
ally OF the farmers and workin people. VINO
cannot closely observe the money market. is
that every dollar, paper or coin, Issued or
thorized by the government shall at all times
and in all its uses be an exact equivalent, not
only in the debt paying but in the purchasing
power, of any dollar. am quite sure that il we
should now act upon this subject indspeud ntly
of other nations we should greatly promote
their interests ana injure our own. The none
tary conditions in Europe within the last two
have / fhink tap6A6 n davalov,
a sentiment In favor of larger use of silver and
was much pleased and ENCOURAGED by the cor
duality. promptness and unanimity with which
the invitation of this government for an inter
national conference upol this subject was &C
copied by all the powers. We may not only
hope for, but expect highly beneficial results
from this conference, which will now soon as
semble. When the result of the conference is
known we shall then be able intelligently to re-
adjust our financial legislation to any condi-
tons.
THE FORCE BILL.
In my last annual message to congress said:
81 must yet entertain nope that it Is possible to
secure a calm, pair otto consideration OF suca
constitutional or statutory changes as may be
necessary to secure a choice of officers of the
government TO the people by fair appOrtion-
ments and free elections. believe it would be
possible TO constitute a commission, non
partisan in its membership and composed of
patriotic, wise and impartial men, to whom
consideration of the questions of the evils con
nected with our elections system and methods
might be committed with a good prospect of
securing unanimity IN some D an for the re-
moval or mitigation of those evils. The
constitution would permit che election of a
commission to be vested In a supreme court If
that method would give the best guaranty of
tmpartiality This commission would be
charged with the duty OF inquring into tus
whole subject Of the law of elections as related
to the choice of officers of the national govern
ment with a view to securing to every elector
free and unmolested exercise of the suffrage,
and as near an approach to equality of value in
each ballot cast as Is attainable. The demand
that the limitations Of suffrage shall be found
in law, and ouly there, is just demand and no
just man should resent or resist it."
DANGER IN DISHONEST ELECTIONS.
1t seemed to me that an appeal to our people
to consider the question of adjusting our
legislation upon absolutely fair, non-partisAn
lines might find some effective responses
Many times have had occasion to say that
laws and election methods designed to give un
fair advantages to the party making them
would some time be used 90 perpetuate in
power faction or party against the will of a
majority Of the people. or this we seem TO
have an Illustration in the recent state election
in Alabama, There was no republican ticket in
the field. The contest was between whits dem
ocrats. The Kolb party say they were refused
the representation guaranteed BY law upon the
election boards and that when the courts
by mandamus attempted to right this
wrong, an appeal that cou not be heard until
after the election made writs Intellectual. Bal
lotboxes were thrown out for alleged irfegu-
laritleS, or destroyed; and 1t is asserted on be
half OF one-half at least, of the white voters of
Alabama that the off1csrs to wnom Certificates
had been given were not honestly elected
There is no security for the personal or p II =
ical rights OF any man in community wh re
any other man is deprived OF his personal or
politica rights. The power OF states over the
question of the qualification OF electors l.
ample to protect them against the dangers of
ignorant or depraved suffrage and the demand
that every man found to be qualified under tue
law shall be made secure in tue right to cast a
free ballot and to have that ballot honestly
counted cannot be aoated.
A FREE BALLOT AND FAIR COUNT.
Our republican battle cry, "a free ballot and
fair count, " comes bac< to us. not only from
Alabama but from othe states aud from men,
who, differing with us widely in opinions. have
come TO see that parties and political debate ar e
bat mockery If, when the debate is ended the
judgment OF honest majorities is to be reve -sed
by ballot-boX frauds and tally sheet manipula.
tions in Q interest of the party or
party faction in power. These new
political movements in the states and the
recent decisions of some of the state courts
against unfair Apportion nent laws. encourage
hope that arbitrary and partisan election
laws and practices which have prevailed may
be corrected by the states the laws made equal
and non partisan, and elections fres and hon
est. The Republican party would rejoice at
such q solution-as healthy and patriotic local
sentiment is the best assurance Of fres and
honest elections / shall again urge upon con
greSs that provision be made for the appoi t.
menJ OF a non-partisan com mission TO consider
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