The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-10-19
Put on Paper by Whitelaw Reid
"Rats," OF the New York
Tribune.
The Arch Enemy Of Labor Form.
ally Bids for the Votes Of
~, Workingmen.
Dreary flatitudes About tho Tariff and
Other National Issues-Would Like to
He Vice President

NHw YoRK, Oct. 18.-The following ia a
synopsis of tho letter of acceptance of
Whitclaw Reid. republican candidate for
vice. president. The letter is addressed to
Hon. w. +. Durbin, Anderson. Ind. and
begins: When the nomination with which
the national convention honored mo was
formally announced by your committee,
accepted it at once. In 80 doing / also ac-
cepted the principles set forth in the reao-
lutiOns adopted by the convention as the
basis of its appeal to popular suffrage.
There will be no misunderstanding as to
the purposes of the republican party in the
contest and no doubt az to the attitude Of
its candidates. The party platforms are
moro important this year than usual. The
declarations of our opponents demand close
scrutiny, as their victory now would give
them the first opportunity they have had
since 1863 to put in practice their policy
1t is obvious that in the common Judgment
Of the people the really vital issues this
year are those relating to tariff and cur
renoy. Fortunately both sides have stated
their positions on the subjects with direct
ness, simplicity and frankness.
The issues thus made between the rival
candidates are specially sharp and distinct
We maintain that the tariff should cover
the difference in the cost of homo and for
eiRn production, caused by difference in
home and foreign wages. Our opponents
distinctly repudiate the proposition that
American wages should be considered in
the matter, and have declared instead that
a tariff levied for anything but revenue
only is unconstitutional. As the London
Times naturally remarked, this policy is
| ~1tk kr No iaki saha fa,o
Should the American people now choose
the republican candidates the present tariff
would stand, or when amended would only
be 80 changed as to insure closer conform
ity to the principles on which it was made.
If their opponents are chosen. then con-
Rress is pledged TO repeal the present taritf
and to adopt one arranged for revenue
only, and their executive will be pledged to
the doctrine that tariff having regard
also for American wages is unconstitu-
tional.
We maintain that the present tariff has
worked we'll, developed American manufac-
lures. steadied and increased American
wages, and promoted general prosperity.
Our opponents deny all this and denounce
the republican policy, which they say fos-
ters NO other industry so much as that of
the sheriff. We favor a system by which.
when VIC thlnk the country is ready for q
reduction abolition of aiuties. we insist
upon getting corresponding and reciprocal
lFOm IOTolRU COuutTl5Ss oUt
opponents denounce reciprocity as sham,
and therefore inferentially pledge them
sevss to its repeal. Ihe constitutionality
of protective tariff was heretofore thought
to be established. A tariff bill was carried
through the first congress and signed by
Washington. A third of century later,
Andrew jackson maintained the constitu
tionality of the protective system, as have
Jefferson and Monroe, who each
repeatedly recommended the exercise of the
right under the constitution. 10 this tes-
tlmony from men who made the constitu-
tion, and from the father of the modern
democratic party may be added that of the
latest high authority of the democratic
party on constitutional law, Hon. George
'Iicknor Curtis, who recently said he could
not subscribe to the doctrine that protect
i've tariff is unconstitutional.
The expediency of a protective tariff is
vlndicated by the experience of the last
thirty years, the most wonderful period Of
financial success over unheard of difficult
ties in the record of modern civilization.
Under it and by it's aid republican manage
ment Of our finances has resulted in the
largest payment of national debt in the
shortest time known to history, and in the
Simultaneous development of the industries
OF the country and p osperitY of the people
ON scale without parallel.
Eight years ago. in masterly public pa
per, James G. Blaine called attention to
the revelations OF the United States census
as to the net results to labor and savings
to the American people under the system
of protection. The true value of all prop
erty in the United States. excluding slaves,
was set down III the census of 1860 at $14,-
600. 900. COO. That being what there was to
show for $250 years of toll. With the suo-
cess of the republican party that year the
republican protective policy. which has
since prevailed, was introduced. In the
census of 1880 the true value of prope ty in
the United States was set down at $44, 000,-
000,0O making an increase of over double
the entire growth of the previous $50
years. 1t appears that the p opelty of the
United States still further increased in the
last ten yea by $4,000, 000.0O0, making
| total increase i'll thirty yea of republican
rule and under republican protective
tariff of 1000, 00O, 600, against $4,000
I OO0, 900 earned III the previous 25O years.
| Our opponents deny that there has been
any increase of prosperity. declare that
wages have be en- reduced and denounce our
oiicy. 1t has been a fortunate cilcum
stance Tor the impartial public thHt in the
regular course of official duty a number of
democratic officers have since been required
to report statistics in several departments
ben ing upon the subject. All these reports
tend 10 show an increase during the year
! 1881 in wages, in value of products, in
| deposits In savings banks or building and
loan associations, and in the value of real
and personal property. These official
democratic refutations of the democratic
denial that the country is prosperous are
confirmed by the personal experience and
| observation of the people AT large.
| At the close of the fiscal year, June last,
| thereoiprocity policy had been i'll opera
tion but few months, and under all the
disadvantages attending the opening of new
| lines Of trade in foreign countries, it in
| creased our ade with foreign countries to
which il had been applied %. rs per cent.
! Since then there has been still greater III
| creaBe, amounting on Sept. | to 27.0S per |
cent. The net value of sham" reciprocity,
| therefore. to the United States in brief
period, and during infancy, was S22, 900, 2S4. |
| 10 abandon this system, which is nbso-
lutaly equitable on both Sides which costs
| us nothing and brings such results, would |
| be madness, while to denounoe 1t rs sham !
| il an unti nth.
On the subject of currency, the issue be-
tween the republican party and its OPP on
| nent8 Is almost rs sharply defined as on tho |
tariff. We demand that every dollar, paper. |
| silver. or gold. shall loo made aud kept M
nnpH nkhar HnItnr