The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1892-03-10

OC0e 4uOoetOHeo- ..
Democratic Policy, Programme and
Purpose-Mr. McNiillin's Speech.
The Republican papers which have
been iibing at the National Democ-
raey for its lack of a policy, a pro-
gramme and a purpose. must feel
sadly disconnected this morning v
the demonstration given by Mr.. Nc
Millin yesterday in the House of
Representatives that the party has all
three and proposes to pursue them
with vigor and spirit either to success
or to the point of making the Repub-
lican Senate responsible for their de-
feat.
The House being in Committee of
the Whole on the revenue bills, MIR.
McMillin made the opening address
for the Democrats, addressing himself
mainly to the question of free
wool. He opened with a re-
iteration of the Democratic con-
ception of the duty of the present
Congress. The last Congress had
imposed the highest tariff taxes ever
levied in this country. 1t also made
the most extravaganza appropriations
ever made here in time of peace. This
Congress was elected to correct both
evils. He showed that n half of all
the money of the country actually in
circulation had to pass through the
hands of the Federal tax-gatherer
every year, and he most properly
asserted that there could be no per-
manent prosperity while this abnormal
drain continued to sap the commerce
and industry of the country. Can
there be a remedy for this crying evil,
he asked, yes, said he, there is a
remedy. Impose less taxes and spend
less money. That is what this Cong
ress means, and means to do.n
This hearty reiteration of the main
plank in the Democratic platform of
last autumn effectually disposes of
such campaign ISLANDERS as, within the
week, MI. Reed of Maine thought fit
to utter in Philadelphia, This OPEN
ing debate on the public revenue is
to all intents and purposes the true
opening of business in Congress, at
least so far as political questions are
concerned, and the opening words of
Mr.. McMillin, who, in the absence of
Mr.. Springer, is the official mouthpiece
of the party on this class of questions
shows that the party has a broad
policy, a carefully considered pro-
gramme and u resolute purpose
policy, programme and purpose being
the same which the people ratified
last November by the most sweeping
vote ever given to a party in the his
tory of the country.
TO follow Mr.. McMillin through all
the range of his speech would be to
cover the whole length and breath
of the tariff question. He showed the
evil results the Mckinley law has al
ready accomplished in a year and six
months that it has prevailed. So
far from any of the promises
made in its behalf being re-
allied, he defied contradiction
of the assertion that farmers had
realized from 2 to 3 cents a pound
for wool less than before. He chal-
lenged anyone to point TO a single line
of manufactures in which it had in
creased laborers' wages. On the
other hand, he showed that the
laborer has been forced to pay more
for the roof that shelters him, for the
hat that covers his head. and the
woolens that cover his back. He has
had to pay more for the linen he
wears. the hammer and hoe with
which he works.
The effect of the tax on wool has
been disastrous to our domestic manu-
features. 1t has fostered the use OF
all sorts Of substitutes for WOOL
shoddy, mungo and other adulterants.
1t has at the same time restricted the
markets for American woollen pro-
ducts to a ruinous extent. At the
same time the s~heep-raising industry
has not kept pace with the growth of
population, has fallen far behind,
and in fact it has no inducement, for
the price of native wool has at this
time fallen off to about one-half of
what it was in 1867, when the policy
of high protection was first applied to
it. One industry, indeed, has pros
pered under the Mckinley law--the
shoddy production. AS Mr.. McMillin
picturesquely put it, 1.-The rags that
have fallen off the backs of beggars in
other countries have been used here
as the substitute for wool"
Of course the Republican side made
a fight for its highly protected pets.
1t is hard to see how the opposition of
the party a be overcome in the Sen
ate. The outlook can hardly be called
good for relief of the people from the
present onerous taxes. But the Dem
ocracy is evidently determined to
stand steadfast In its stronghold, and
will remain for the people to pass
IN even more emphatic condemna-
ion on fI1 p1.N,,1NIsouo c.xt1.. - 49,