The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-10-28

Hill as the orator Of the day at the fair
of the Industrial Society and "a speaker
OF the evening at the political rally in
the town, made it u red letter day for
the Piedmont region, and business here
and in many places in the neighborhood
Is practically abandoned. The apathy
which politicians have found such
marked feature OF this political contest
was entirely absent and Senator Hill
received an ovation. The town people
were early astir, preparing to march in
the procession to the fair grounds in
honor of the distinguished visitor, and
trains, wagons and horses brought in
from tho country and neig b boring towns
large crowd of enthusiastic people
Senator Hill was greeted with cheers
when he appeared at tho speakers
stand escorted by Senator Daniel and
Basil B. Gordon, chairman of the State
committee; Gen. Fitzhugh Lee and Rep
resentative Edmunds. The stand was
located In an open grove in the fair
grounds in space cloar of side shows and
fakir stands. by tho time the he ad of
the procession arrived in sight moro
than $4,000 people had crowded around
the stand. State Senator Mcdonald
secretary of tho fair society, introduced
Senator Hill in u speech III which he re-
1erred to The Senator as the nominee in
1896.
Senator Hill was warmly greeted.
His speech was mainly OF IN agricul-
tural character and it was not until
near the close that no touched on poll.
tics and declared that relief from the
burdens of tariff taxation was one of the
things the farmers needed In his
agricultural remarks the Senator suc-
gested that 1T was Il mistake for the
far ners to till so much land and urged
more diligent cultivation of smaller
tracks, and tho Improvement of high.
ways, which are wretchcd hereabout
He also said it would tend to the benefit
Oh farmers and keep ct home some of
the farm boys who are now overcrowd-
ing the cities.
In connection with highways he
stated story he heard in Now York to
the effect that Mark Twain erected On
a higuway near Marks Elmira farm u
magnificent watering trough each time
child was born to his wife; that it was
an innovation the public much appre-
ciated and that now that whole section
was hoping that Mr.. and Mrs. Twain
would be blessed with very numerous
progeny.
After he had told the story q gentle.
man in the audience said. well, COVER
nor, but what arc you doing for the high
ways OF y ur country?"
There was general laugh, which was
renewed when the Senator replied that
he never answered impertinent cues.
tions.
The Senator thon touched on politics
by saying that no knew of no panacea
for all the ills under which agriculture
is suffering. He did think though that
the farmers interests lay in Obtaining
the largest prices for their crops and in
also obtaining the necessaries OF life,
clothing and agriculture implements at
the lowest sum possible. One or the
causes which produced agricultural de-
pres ion. therefore, might be the impos-
1tlon OF burdensome tariff taxation. IL
seemed to him that upon the platform
That no moro taxes should DO raised
than are absolutely necessary for the
support OF the Government ali the audi
icnce could stand. The great need of
the country, especially of the rural dis
tricts, was wider markets for it's barrels
OF pork and bushels OF wheat. The i'm
position of tariff duties on agricultural
products does not benefit our farmers
ono cent because their markets arc not
u.
Continuing, Senator Hill disclaimed
any intention to speak in partisan
way, as both Democrats and Republi-
cans were present IL seemed to him
that the country wanted as lit,le lcgis
lation as poSsible. Some of the tariff
burdens should be taken Off. Wise and
liberal laws may mitigate evils that
obtain in all agricultural districts,
though they cannot entirely cure them
Tho people must not expect too much
from legislation. Dsmocra Is believe in
the doctrine enunciatcd by a distin-
guishcd ex. President-that the people
should support the Government. but not
the Government support the people.
Legislation could not override the law
or supply or demand or oven production
OF crops.
Senator Hill especially argued against
too much patornalism in government.
Government should be- economically ad-
ministered, and tho people relieved
from tho cxactions OF ,nonopolies. In
his judgment tui! recognition Of the
money ri our fathers, the gold and silver
| currency OF constitution, would afford
larger circulating medium and make
times hotter. In conclusion the speaker
warned people against expecting too
much at once. as in war. SO in politics,
there Shoui bc no firing of guns in the
air. All who thought alike on these
| great economic questions should stsnd
together and cconlpliSh ono reform at
time, conccnirate their efforts and re-
| wise the tariff laws which are oppress-
ing us.
He thought that already something
had been lost by Third party efforts in
tho South and West, and that moro