The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-10-31
FORCE BILL BUGABOO.
1t Is the Feature of Adlai E.
Stevenson's Letter.
A ColoRlESS DOCUMENT.
Appeals to Southern Prejudices and
Echoes Cleveland in ALI Things.
Republican Prospects OF Success Grow
Ing Brighter Every Hour-216 Elec-
toral Votes Assured-Colorado Dem
ocrsts In . Ouandary.

CHARLESTON, Oct. 30-Adlai 3. Stevenson,
Democratic candidate for vice president. gave
to the press tonight his letter of acceptance. He
says be has been engaged continually since the
big New York meeting at which he and Cleve-
land spoke. in discussion before the peo.
pie OF many states OF the Union of
the issues emphasized by the Dem
ocratic national convention and repre-
sented by the candidate for president, Grover
Cleveland. Opportunity has thus been denied
him to write a formal acceptance with the care
he would desire. He says, however, that Mr..
Cieveland's treatment of the issues now before
the country Tor discussion and settlement are
SO complete that he can do little more than in
dorse Clevelands position and give it the en-
phasis OF his unqualified approval. He says:
1t Is plain that our present inequitable system
OF tariff taxation has promoted a growth of such
tribute from the many for the benefit of the
feW A part OF our people are oppressed in
order that the remainder may prosper unduly.
Equality is lost sight of. injustice hardens into
a precedent which is used to excuse exactions,
and there arise artificial distinctions which the
benefciaries come TO look upon in due time as
vested right, sacred to themselves. Ii the
benefciaries are able to gain a new
tenure of power, the development of these
conditions must continne until the power
TO tax Will be lodged in those willing aud able
TO pay for the perpetuation OF the privileges
originally conferred by contiding people for
the preservation inyiolate of their own govern
ment Where is no longer a pretext for a main
tenance OF a war tariff IN times of peace, anu he
ia in hearty accord with the demand of the
Democratic platform for the reform OF this
system.
The convention also declared its position on
the currency question in NO unmeaning words,
he says He then quotes the currency plank of
the platform and continues:
To this plain and unequivocal declaration in
favor of sound, honest money, / subscribe
without reservation or qualification.
safe circulating medium is absolutely essential
to the protection of the business interests OF
country while to the wage Garner or farmer 1t
Is ail-important that every dollar, whatever its
form, that finds its way into his pocket shall be
OF equal, unquestioned and universally ex-
changeable value aud OF equal purchasing
power. Another issue OF great moment is the
force bill, the magnitude of which cannot be
overestimated. 1t may mean the control of the
election OF representatives in congress by the
bayonet The Republican party. by its acts in
the Fifty y-frst congress and by its platform in
the late national convention stands pledged
@ to tss n p"ss:ss e Si ,RIs Nhsn bill i 1ass S:s
power, no sane man can doubt. Since my
nomination have been in eight Southern aud
southwestern states and found general aud
growing apprehension OF evil which 1t is be-
lieved would result from the passage OF the
Lodge bill. or similar legislation. l found
industries established by Northern cspi-
ton in q ianguishing condition; that the
emigration Of labor and the investment
OF capital Invited 10 those states by their then
peaceful condition had in large measure
ceased. The Enactment of the force bill into
law, while 1t would threaten the liberties of the
entire people. would undoubtedly retard
material growth, at which 1t is espe-
pecaly aimed: would inete many race
troubles and invite retaliatory legislation,
which would disturb property values and dis
continue aud destroy the security OF Northern
investments, and its reflex action on Northern
states would result in consequent loss OF COM
merciai and trade relations with a vast territory
now becoming tributary to their wealth
and prosperity. / say nothing now OF
the inherent vice Of the un-American and
revolutionary spirit involved in the Lodge bill,
which was pronounced by Republican senator
the ''most infamous that ever crossed the
Threshold of the senate" appeal to the in
stincts of self-interest and the sense Of COM
mon justice in the American people. The
era OF good feeling ana the renewed CONNER
cial relations commencing with the administra-
ton of President Cleveland In 1884 should not
be interrupted by the inauguration OF a policy
tending to destroy popular representation and
the purity of local self government, which fur-
nishes instruments to the discredited
federal power to perpetuate itself; which
seeks to keep alive sectional jealousies and
strife. which threatens important and material
interests and which Offers no excuse or pallia-
tion for its existence except perpetuation in
power of the political party which has lost pub
lio confidence