The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1892-09-13

to May, 1882, 81 per cent, Wnle III l"i ~
products there has been an increase III
prices, owing in part to an increased foreign
demand and the opening OF new mafkets.
Second there has been an average au-
vance in the rate of wages OF 40 OF per
cent. Al.
prices of all farm products OF lS.oI per
cent and of all cereals of $500 per cent
Iin Plate
He speaks of the tin plate and pearl but
ton schedules of the Mckinley bill as espe-
cially advantageous to this country. lie ar
raigns the democratic leaders Tor seeking
to ALLEVIATE the employer and employee. lie
regrets that all employers are not just ana
considerable and sometimes take TOO large d
share Of the profits, but says he does not
see how this injustice would be amellorated
by the tariff, the first effect of which must
be a severe cut in the wages. The south
ern states have had liberal participation IN
the benefits of the tariff law, though their
representatives have generally opposed. the
protection policy. Il rejoice that their
sugar, rice, coal, ores, iron, fruits, cotton
cloths and other products have not been left
to the fate which the votes of their repre-
sentatives would have brought upon them.
In the construction of the Nicaragua
canal in the new trade with South and
Central America; in the establishment or
American steamship lines, these states have
also special interest and all these interests
will not always consent to be without rep
representation at Washington"
The silver bill.
The president next has the following to
say on the silver bill question The reso-
luton of the convention in favor of bimetal-
lism declares: II am thoroughly convinced
that the free coinage of silver, at such
a ratio to gold as will maintain an equality
in the commercial uses of the two coined
dollars, would conduce to the prosperity OF
all the great producing and commercial
nations of the world. One essential condi-
ton is that these dollars shall have and
retain equal reciprocity and value in all
commercial transactions. They are not only
a medium of exchange but measures of
values, and, when two unequal measures
are called in law by the same name, COM
MERGE is unsettled and the confused and
unwary and ignorant are cheated. Dollars
of unequal commercial value Will not clrcu-
late together. The better dollar is with
drawn and becomes merchandise The true
interest of all our people, and especially
of the farmers and working people, who can
not closely observe the money mar
ket is 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 equiv
alent not only in dispatcbing but in the pur-
chasing power of any dollar. L am quite ture
that if we should act upon this subject
independently of other nations, we should
greatly promote their interests and lnJure
our own.
Monetary conditions in Europe within the
last two years have, | think, tended very much
to develop sentiment in favor or the large
use of silver. and l much pleased and en-,
couraged by The cordiality, pronptness ana
unanimity with which the invitation or TINS
government, for an international conference
upon this subject was aG hepa for py t al
highly beneficial results from TINS conference,
which will now soon assemble. Wren ,n9
result of the conference is known we snail
then be able intellingently to readiust our
financial legislation to any new conditions.
3he Force Bill.
In my last annual message to congress-
said:
Il must yet entertain the hope that 1t is
possible to assure a calm, patriotic conslu-
GRAFTON of such constitution, all or statutory
changes as may be necessary TO secure IL
choice Of officers OF the government TO the
people by fair apportionments ana Tree elec-
tons l believe it would be mposslDle .
constitute commission, non-partlsan III us
membership and composed OF PATRIOTIC WISE
and impartial men. to whom consideration OF
questions of evils connected with our elections
systems and methods might be committed .iatl
with good prospect Of securing
unanimity in some plan for removing ana
permit the election OF Il commission TO w
vested in the supreme court, II that lneinou
would give the best guaranty OF importantly.
This commission should be charged with the
duty of inquiring into the whole suDJect OF
the law of elections as related to the cholca
of officers of the national government, with
The view to securing to every elector the Ire"
and unmolested exercise of suffrage ana az
near an approach to equality Of value in eact
tia. limitations OF suffrage shall he found in
law and only there is just demand, and
no just man should resent or resist 1t.
1t seems to me that an appeal to our people
to consider the question of readJustng our
legislation upon absolutely fair, non-partisan
lines might find some effective response Many
times | have had occasion TO say that the
laws and election methods, designed TO give
unfair advantages to the party making them,
power a faction party against the will Of the
majority of the people. OF this seem to
have an illustration in the recent state cleo,
ticket in the field. The contest was between
white democrats. The Kob party say they
were, refused the representation guaranteed
when the courts by mandamus attempted to
right ms wrong an appeal, that could not
be heard until after the election, made the
writs inoffectual Ballot, boxes were
thrown out for alleged irregularities
or destroyed; and it is asserted on behalf of
onehalf, ut least of the white voters OF Ala
bama that the officers TO whom certificates
have been given were not honestly elected
There Is no security for the personal or poiit-
another man is deprived Of his personal or no.
liticai rights. The power of the states over
the question Of the qualification of electors is
ample TO protect them against the dangers OF
ignorant or depraved suffrage and the de
mand that every man found to be qualified
right to cast free ballot and to have that bal
lot honestly counted cannot be abatcd Our
0Uid republican battle cry, "a free ballot and
far count comes back to us. not only from
Alabama, but from other states and
from men who, differing with
us widely in opinions have come to see that
parties and political debate are but a mockerv
If, when the debate is ended. the Judgment
Of honest maiOrltics is to be reversed by bal
lot box frauds and tally sheet manipulations
i'll the interest of the party or party faction
In power. These new political movements
in the states, and the recent decisions of
portionment laws, encourage the hope that the
arbitrary and partisan election laws and prac-