The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-10-19
The Issues Of the Day Boldly Dis
cuSSed.
DIFFERENCES BETHEEN THE PARTIES.
Prosperity Of the Country Assured by Republican
SHtcesS-FaIlatieS Of The Democratic
Doctrines.
Special to THE MORNING CALL

10 nUUs W. L. DuIUlLs AluSIcUis 1HU.s hAto
begins as follows: When the nomination
with which the national convention hon.
ored me was formally an ounced by your
committee l accepted 1t at once. In so do
ing l also accepted the principles set forth
In the resolutions adopted by the conyen-
ti0n as the basis of its appeal to popular
suffrage. There will be no misunderstood
ing as to the purposes Of the Republican
party in the contest and no doubt as to the
attitude Of its candidates Party platforms
are more 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 1859 to put in practice their policy.
1t is obvious in the common judgment of
the people that the really vital issues this
year are those relating to the tariff and the
currency. Fortunately both sides have
stated their positions on these subjects with
direetness, simplicity and frankness. The
issues thus made between the rival candi-
dates are specially sharp and distinct We
maintain that the tariff should cover the
difference In the cost of the home and
foreign product caused by the difference in
home and foreign wages. Our opponents
distinctly repudiate the proposition that
American wages should 10 considered in
the matter, and have declared instead that
tariff levied Tor anything butrevenue only
is unconstitutional
a the London Times naturally remarks:
This policy is not to be distinguished from
free trade. Should the American peOrle
now choose the Republican candidates the
present tariff would stand, or when amended
would only be so changed as 10 insure q
closer conformity TO the principles on which
IL is made IL their opponents are hOSen
their Congress is pledged to repeal the pres
ent tariff and te the adoption Of one ar
ranged for revenue only, and their execu-
tive is pledged 10 doctrine that a tariff
having regard also for American wages is
unconstitutional"
We maintain that the present tariff has
worked well, developed American manu-
factures steadily Increased American
wages and promoted the general prosperity.
Our opponents deny all this and denounce
the Republican policy, which, they saw
fosters 0 other industry so much as that
of the Sheriff. We favor a system by
which, when we think the country is ready
for a reduction or tie abolition Of the duties,
We insist upon getting corresponding re-
eipTocal advantage from foreign countries.
Cur opponents Cen0Qnce reciprocity as q
sham, and therefore inferentialiy pledge
themselves to its repeal. The constitution
ality of a protective tariff was heretofore
thought established. A tariff bill was car
ried through the first Congress and signed
~
Andrew Jackson maintained the cOnstitu-
ti0nality of the protective system, as nave
Jefferson and Monroe, who each repeatedly
recommended the exercise Of this right
under the constitution.
To this testimony from men who made
the constitution 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 Ticknor Curtis, who recently
I. l. a l1-ar 5l,a t. kho a
that the protective tariff was unconstitu-
tional. The eXpedieDcy OF the protective
tariff is vindcated by the experience Of the
last thirty years. the most wonderful
period of financial success ever heard Of, in
spite of the difficulties in the record OF
modern civilization. Under il and by its
aid the Republican management OF our
finances has resulted in the largest pay
ment OF a national debt in the shortest time
known to history, and 10 a simultaneous
development of the industries of the coun-
try and the prosperity Of the people on
scale without Faralel.
Eight years ago in a mastery public paper
Hon. James q. Blaine called attention to
the revelations of the United States census
as to the net results Of Dor and the savings
Of the American people under the system
Of protection. The true value Of all prop
erty in the United States, excluding slaves,
is set down in 1860 at fourteen thousand
million dollars, that being what there was
to show for $50 years OF toll. WITH
the success 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 the property in
the United States is set down at forty
four thousand million dollars, making an
increase OF over double the entire growth
of the previous 250 years 1t appears that
the property Of the United States was still
further increased in the last ten years by
fourteen thousand million dollars. making
total increase in thirty years Of Republican
rule and under Republican protective
tariff of forty-four thousand million dollars.
against fourteen thousand million dollars
earned in the previous $50 years
Our opponents deny that there has been
any increase In the general prosperity and
declare that wages have been reduced and
denounce our policy. 1t has been for
tunate circumstance for an impartial pub
lie that iH the regular course Of official duty
number of Democratic officers have since
been required TO report the statistics in the
several departments bearing upon the sub
iect. All these reports tend to show an in
crease during the year 1891 in wages, in the
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 pros
perous are confirmed by personal experience
and observation Of the people at large.
At the close of the fiscal year in June
last the reciprocity policy had been IN opera
tiOn but few months. and under all the
Disadvantages Of attending an opening in
new lines Of trade in foreign countries. 1t
has Increased our trade with foreign coun-
tries TO which 1t has been applied 23. 78 per
cent Since then there has been still great
eT increase, amounting on September 1 to
27.07 per cent. The net value estimated Of
reciprocity. therefore. to the United States
in the brief period and during its infancy
was so, ,669, 234. To abandon this system,
which is absolutely equitable on both sides,
which costs US nothing and which brings
such results, would be madness, while to
denounce it as q sham is an untruth.
On the subject OF the currency the issue
between the Republican party and its op-
ponents is ALMOST as sharply defined as on
:he tariff. We demand that every dollar,
paper. silver or gold, shall be made and
kept as good as any other dollar Our oD-
ponents, while processing the same desire,
demand that the national bank currency
shall be broken down by repeal OF the ten
per cent tax on the issues of the State
banks. No human being ever lost dollar
by note Of national bank, solvent or
otherwise. The losses by the State banks
have been connted by the tens of millions.
1t is true that gradual payment Of the
Government bonds may require some
change Ia the securities demanded as a
guarantee for the national bank notes. The
party which devised the system and made
1t magnificent success may be relied upon
90 meet the emergency when it arises
There is good reason and hope for some
practical union of efforts for the common
solution of the silver problem by the
increased use Of silver through the inter-
national silver conference, but in any effect
the country has learned TO trust the finan-
ciai skill and integrity OF the Republican
party and distrust its opponents.
The statement which no candid and con-
fdent business authority, whatever his
political tendency, can deny is that the
adoption now of the policy pursued by our
opponents in their declaration of principles
as to the repeal Of the present tariff rates
for tariff for revenue only and substltu-
tion of State banks for national currency,
would give an Immediate and disastrous