The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-09-06

wages without regard to fluctuations in the SUD-
ply Of aud demand for the products OF labor
Butt Is confidently claimed that protective
duties strongly tend 10 hold up wages, and are
the only barrier against o reduction 70 the
European scale
The Southern states have hal liberal partic-
ipstion fl the benefits In tariff laws, and though
their representatives have generally opposed
the protection policy, rejoice that their sugar,
coal, iron ore, fruit. cotton clothes epd
other products will rot be left to the fate which
the votes OF their representatives would have
brought upon them In the construction OF the
Nicaragua canal and in the new trade
with south and Central America, and in
the establishment OF an American steamship
line, these states are also specially interested,
and all these interests viii not always consent
to be without representation ct Washington.
shrewdly, but unfairly, our adversaries speak
only OF the increased duties iraposed upon tin,
pearl buttons and other articles by the Mckin-
ley bill and omit altogether any reference
20 the great and beneficial enlargement OF the
free list. During the last year &i5S 600 772 worth
of merchandise, or 5a35 per cent OF our
total irnportations, came in free, the largest
percentage in our history, while In 1889
the highest point of free importation
was only SAP per ceas The plac-
ing OF sugar upon tho free list saved
70 the consumer in duties in fifteen months, af-
ter paying the bounties provided for. $50 oooo o0
This relief has been substantially felt
in every household upon every Sat-
urdny's purchase OF every workingman.
One Of the favorite arguments against the pro-
tectve tariff is that IL shuts US out from particle
patton in what is called with swelling empha-
sis the markets OF the world"
this view is not false one,
how Anaa IL hap fhaf nyyr rpfal
petitors are not able to bear with moro serenity
our supposed surrender to them OF tho "markets
OF the world and how does ii happen that
the partial loss of our market closes tho
foreign tin plato mills and plush factories that
still have all the other markets. Our natural adj
vanccs, our prot eetivo tariff and our reciprocity
policy make IL posi- bic for us 70 have a large
participation in the "nsrkets OF tho world"
without opening our own C. competition that
would destroy tho comfort ana independence OF
our people.
THE SILVER QUESTION
The resolution OF tho convention in favor OF
bi-metailism declares, 1 think, the true and
necessary condition OF a movement that has
upon these lines my cordial adherence and sup
port. ] an thoroughly convinced that the free
coinage Of silver at such ratio to gold as will
maintain Al equality in the commercial uses OF
the two coined dollars would conduce to the
prosperity OF all great producing and
commercial nations OF the world.
One essential condition is that these
dollars shall have and retain an
equal Acceptable and value in al, CONNER
dunn OF exchange, bnt the measure OF values,
and when unequal measures are called In law
by the same name commerce Is unsettled and
confused and the unwary and ignorant are
cheated Dollars OF unequal commercial value
viii not circulate together. The better
dollar IS withdrawn and becomes
merchandise. The true interest OF all our
people, and especially the farmers and working
people, who cannot closely observe the money
market, il that every dollar. paper or coin,
issued or authorized by the government, shall
At all times and in all It's uses be the exact
equivalent, not only in debt paying but in pur-
chasing power, OF any other dollar am quite
sure II We should now act upon this subject
Independently OF other nations, We would
greatly promote their interests and in
iure our own. The monetary conditions in
Europe within the last two years have, think,
tended very.much to develop . sentiment in
favor of the larger use Of silver, and was much
pleased and encouraged by the cordially,
promptness and unanImity with which the in
vitation of this government for an International
conference upon this subject was accepted by all
the powers. We may not only hope for but may
expect highly beneficial results from this con-
the result Of the conference lie known we shall be
able intelligently to readjust our financial leg
islation TO any conditions.
ELECTIoN CRIMES IN THE SOUTH
In my last annual message to congress said
that must yet entertain the hope that II 10 pos
sible to secure calm and patriotic consideration
oil such constitutional or statutory changes as
may be necessary to secure choice OF officers of
the government to the people by fair apportion-
y.
possible to constitute a commission, nom
partisan in membership and composed
of patriotic, wise and impartial men. to whom
consideration Of the question of the evils con-
nected with our election system and methods
might be committed, with a good prospect Of
securing unanimity in some plan for removing
or mitigating those evils. The constitution
would permit the selection of q commission to-
be vested in the supreme court. II that method
would give the best guarantee of impartiality,
this commission should be charged with the
duty ofinquring into the whole subject of the
law of elections related TO the choice of officers
OF the national government, with view to secur-
ing to every eIector the free and unmolested ex-
ercise OF the suffrage aud as near an approach
to equality of value of each ballot cast az is at
tninable The demand thas limitations of suf-
frage should be found in the ballot, and only
there, is a just demand, and no just man should
prevent or resist il. 1t seems to me that an ap-
peal to our people TO consider the question of
readjusting our legislation upon absolutely fair
and non partisan lines might find some effective
response.
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 to perpetuate inf power
a faction or party against the will of the major
ity OF the people. or this we seem to have an
illustration In the recent election In Alabama,
where there was no Republican ticket in the
field. The contest was between white Demo-
Gratis and the kolb party. The latter say
that they were refused this representa-
ton guaranteed by law upon election
boards, and when the courts by mandamus at
tempted to right this wrong appeals that could
not lie heard until after the election made the
writs Intellectual BALLOT boxes were thrown
out for alleged irregularities and destroyed. Is
is asserted behalf Of one half, at least OF the
white voters OF Alabama. that The off,
GERS 10 whom certificates have been
given wsrs not honestly elected. There Is
no security for personal or political
rights. The power OF the states ever tie cues
ton OF the qualification o. electors Is ample 20
protect them against the dangers of an ignorant
or deprsvei suffrage, and the demand that
every man found TO DO qualified under the law
shall DO made securs in the r.aht 10 cast a free
ballot, and IL have that ballot counted cannot
be abated.
Our Republican battle cry. an free ballot and
q fair count" comes back 70 US not only from
Alabama. bnt from other states and from man
who, differing with us only in opinion. have
come to ses that parties aid political debate,
are but mOcEery IL, when the debate is euded
the Judgment of an honest majority is TO be 70.
versed hy baIlot-box frauds ana tallv.sheo.
manipulation in the interest of the psrtv
faction ia power These new politte,,
movements IN the cities snd the recent dsnis-