The morning call., 1892-08-28
STEVENSON MAKES A SPEECH.
The Tariff as Viewed FrGm a Democratic
Standpoint.
The Opening Of The Illinois Campaign by Meeting
at Bl6CmingtOR-in Active Canvass Com.
menced by the Republicans.
Special to The MORNING CALL.

BLOOMINGTON, H., Aug. 27-The Demo-
cratic State campaign was opened to-day by
big demonstration in this city. There
were thousands of Democrats in attendance
and Hon. James 5. Ewing, General Steven
sons law partner. presided.
Senator John NJ. Palmer was the first
speaker and made stirring address, which
was frequently interrupted by applause.
Hon. A. Z. Stevenson, the Democratic
candidate for Vice President, was the next
speaker. The most of General Stevenson's
speech was devoted to the tariff question
He said In part:
The tariff is the all-important issue of
the campaign upon which we have now
entered. Shall there be revision of our
tariff laws, and as a consequence of such
legislation a reduction of taxation; or.
shall 1t become the policy of our Govern
ment TO maintain, permanently, high pro-
lection? The position of the two leading
political parties upon that question cannot
be misunderstood The Republican party,
as illustrated by its recent enactment of
the Mckinley law. stands tor high pro-
tective-in other words, probibitory
tariff. The Democratic party, as empha-
sized by its ntterances and its acts. is the
advocate of tariff reform. The issue is
squareiy presented. Upon the one side are
the advocates of high protective or pro.
hlbitory policy-a policy that enriches the
few at the expense OF the many. On the
other the advocates of such reduction of
tariff duties as will give to our manufae-
turers the benefit of cheap raw material.
and lessen 10 the consumer the cost Of the
necessaries OF life.
The Protected Classes.
The protected classes growing year by
year stronger ana more powerful with the
protection afforded them, demanded of the
Fifty-tirst Congress vet higher duties. AS
inf ind
time content with the moderate protection
given by the Clay tariff Later they had
demanded the higher du ties imposed by the
Morrill, tariff and that of later Congresses
In 1890. during the first session Of the Fifty
first Congress. their demand was in sub
sp nse to this demand was the passage by
a Republican Congress of the Mckinley
bill. The avowed object of this bill was to
check Importation. Its purpose so TO in
crease the rate OF duties as in many in
stances to exclude absolutely foreign goods
from our markets, and thus by cutting off
competition enable the home manufacturer
without let or hndranee TO fix the price Of
his wares.
"In word, the Mckinley law. by It's pro-
hibtory features, gave its benefciares a
practical monopoly, and enabled them, in
fact, TO levy an additional tax upon the con-
sumer, to the extent that the duty had been
increased. Was this legislation demanded
by the people? Was it in their interest.
Was 10 not class legislation of the most
odious character-such legislation as en-
riches the few at the expense Of the many?
The American people unmistakably set
their seal OF condemnation upon the bill.
Slowly but surely they have become con-
vueed that protection does not protect
them.
1t is worse than idle to speak of its
benefits to the American farmer. What he
demands is both foreign and home mar
ket for the products OF his farm. 1t is
mockery to tell him he is protected
ucts of the Old World. While he
is compelled to sell in the open mar
kets OF the world he should be allowed the
poor privilege of buying what his necessi-
ties require without paying high tribute TO
the protected classes OF his own country.
To tha mechanic and laborer no less than
to the farmer protection has proved a
deiusion and snare. in no instance has
it opened to the farmer additional market
for pound of meat or bushel of grain.
Has 1T in a single instance given to the me-
chanic or laborer increased wages? The
present high tariff adds largely to the cost
of articles necessary to the comfort of the
wage-earner. How has he been benefited?
Has it increased his wages? Has Ii In any
manner benefited his condition?
The Laborer and the Tariff.
Recent events connected with the most
try sadly attest the fact that high pro-
tective tariff affords no protection to those
who earn their bread by daily toll. 1t was
never intended to benefit them. Long
enough has the wage-earner been deluded
by the cry that high tariff means high wages
Tariffs have no effect upon wages, except to
minish their purchasing power. The
higher the tariff the less the purchasing
power of wages. Wages are governed by
the great law of supply and demand. Ii the
claim OF the proteetionist is we'll founded,
why have not wages increased, as tariffs
have increased? Why constant reduction
of wages in the most highly protected estab-
lishments In the land? To- the toiler the
Mckinley bill has kept the word of prom
ise to the ear, but broken il to the hope.'
''rhe Democratic House of Representa-
tives of tie present Congress has passed
bill removing the increased duty imposed
by the Mckinley bill upon tin plate, and
providing that within few years il shall
go upon the free list. Ii has also passed
the free wool and cheap clothing bill. by
which wool is admitted free of duty, and a
large reduction sought 10 be effected In the
tariff upon woolen goods of all descriptions.
Ii has also removed the tariff upon binding
twine. But for the hostility of a
Republican Senate these measures -
so Just. so beneficial to the people
would now be upon our statute books.
Our present tariff laws need careful revs.
ion. Their glaring Inconsistencies should
be corrected. 1t is TO the interest of manu-
tacturer and consumer alike that in the
main raw material be admitted free of
duty. Working the raw material into the
finished product would give employment to
our skilled workmen. The reduction of
tariff taxes to the minimum upon the neces-
saries of life Is important 10 all OF our peo-
pie; it would prove Of inestimable value TO
the millions who earn their bread by daily
toll
my fellow-cItizens. to you the tariff is the