The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-09-20
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We stand mot only upon the platform Of
1892, bus upon the Mills bill. which WAS the
latest general democratic legislation upon
the tariff subject. That bill was ~ good
an exposition Of our principles ~ any
elaborate platform could possible be. II r
whole demOcratic policy, should state u
substantially a. follows. We favor tariff
for revenue only, limited to the necessities
Of th6 government economically admins
tered. and 80 adjusted in application, ~ far
~ practicable, TO prevent unequal burdens,
sneouraRs productive industries at
home and afford just competition to labor,
but not to create OF foster Inonopolies.
President Harrison and all other great
and small advocates of the vicious protsc-
tive system diligently seek TO screate the
Impression that the democratic party has
assumed boldsr attitude than formerly
and become the advocste Of absolute free
trade. said, in tho campaign of 1888,
that II / believed the democratic party
favored absolute free trade should not
advocate It's cause. and repeat the state
ment here tonight. / insist that neither
the democratic party nor have changed
our position upon this question, hut stand
where we ever stood. Tariff reform does
NOS mean free trade. Our opponents mis-
represent our position now ~ they ever
have done since the famous tariff message
of 1897"
Speaking of the Mckinley bill, Senator
Hill said: 1T 10 undoubtedly true that in
this state the aggregate amount OF all
wages paid the year after it's passage may
have been greater than the year preceedinx,
but that does not prove any increase in the
rate OF wages paid, and only shows that
some new industries were tablished
or additional men were employed In others;
and 1t does not appear that such increase
was more than the usual natural increase
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state. 1t may possibly also be true that
there have been few less strikes during
the past two years, but this may be at
tributed to the moderation and good judg-
msnt or our labor organizations rather
than to the effect of any tariff law. IknoW
this much. the democratic party is entirely
content to permit every workingman whose
wages have been increased since the passage
Of the Mckinley bill, to vote the republican
ticket If our opponents will consent that
all whose wages have not been increased
vote the democratic ticket; and upon that
basis We will carry the country by . million
majority"
Senator Hill devoted some little time to
the force bill. saying it was conceived in
political animosity. urged from the narrow
est and worst OF motives, and unworthy a
place among the statutes of the American
republic. '"Ihe democratic party" said he.
''desirss free. honest and fair elections
everywhere. 1t desires them not merely
because they would accrue to its benefit
but upon the unaeIfsh and high ground
that they are essential to the preser vation
of our free institutions. The democratic
party has suffered much in the past from
the corrupt and tyrannicaI election meth
DDS of Its adversaries." The senator con-
cludcd with an earnest adnouition TO DEM
ocrats to ''organize in the most thorough
manner, buckle on your armor and fight
for the triumph of our party and the elec
tion of our honored standard bearers
Cleveland and Stevenson"