The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-10-31
GEN. STEVENSON ACCEPTS
The Letter Of the Next Vice. Pres
ident Given Out for
Publication.
He Deals Largely With Issues
Presented by the Force
Bill Iniquity.
Tho Effect That Measure Would Have
Not Only in the South, but In the
North as Well.

II. stevenson, democratic candidate for
vice president, gave to the press tonight
his letter Of acceptance. He says he has
been engaged continually since the big
New York meeting at which he and Cleve-
land spoke, in the discussion, before the
people Of many states OF the union, OF the
issues emphasized by the convention and
represented by the democratic candidate
for president Grover Cleveland. The OPP
portunity thus has been denied him to
write his formal acceptance with the care
he would desi Q. He says, however, M.
Clevsland's treatment of the issues now
before the country for discussion and set
tlement is so complete that he can do little
more than endorse Cleveand's posi-
tion and give it the emphasis Of
his unqualified approval. 'It il
plain" says Gen. Stevenson, that our
present inequitabIe system of tariff taxa
tions has promoted the growth Of such con-
ditions in our land as result in drawing
tribute from the many for the benefit of the
few. Part of the people are oppressed in
order that the remainder may prosper un-
duly. Equality is lost sight Of. injustice
hardens into precedent which is used to
excuse now eIactions, and there arise arti-
fcial distinctions which the benefciaries
come to look upon in due time as vested
rights, sacred to themselves. If the bene.
ficiaries are able to gain a new tenure of
power, the developments of these condi-
tions must continue until the power to tax
will be lodged in those willing and able to
pay for the perpetuation of the privileges
originally conferred by a confiding people
| for the preservation inviolate of their own
| government. There is no longer ptetext
for the maintenance of a war tariff in times
of peace and am in hearty accord with the
demand of the democr attic platform for a
reform in this system"
"Ihe convention also declared its posi-
tion on the currency question in no un-
meaning words" says Gen. Stevenson.
He then quotes the currency plank of the
platform and says: ''To this plain and un-
equivocal declaration in favor of sound
money / subscribe without reservation or
qualification. A safe circulating medium
is absolutely essential to the protection of
the business interests of our country, while
to th, wage Garner or farmer it is all i'm
portant that every dollar, whatever its form,
that finds its way into his pocket, shall be
of equal. unquestioned and universally ex-
chang able value. and of equal pul chasing
power.
Another issue of great moment is the
force bill, the magnitude of which cannot
be overestimated. 1t may mean the con-
troll of the election of representatives in
| congress by the bayonet. The republican
party, by its acts in the Fifty-frst congress-
and by its platform in the late national
convention, stands pledged to the passage
of this bill. That it will pass it when it
has the power no sane man can doubt.
Since my nomination have been in eight
southern and southwestern states, and
found a general and growing app ehension
of the evils which it is believed would re-
suit from the passage of lodge bill or simi-
lar legisl alton. l found the industries es-
tablished by northern capital during Mr..
| Cleveland's administration were in a Ian
gushing condition; that the emigration Of
labor and the investment Of capital invited
to those state by their then peaceful con-
dition had in large measure ceased.
The enactment of the force bill into law.
while it would threaten the liberties of the
entire people, would undoubtedly retard
| the material growth of the states at which
it ia specially aimed; would incite in many
communities race troubles, and invite re-
| taliatory legislation. which would disturb
property values and discontinue and de-
strov the security Of northern Investments
and its reflex action on the northern states
would result in consequent loss of COM
mercial and trade relations with vast ter
ritory now becoming tributary to their
wealth and prosperity say nothing now
of the inherent vice of the uuamerican
and revolutionary spirit involved in the
Lodge bill, which was pronounced by re-
| publican senator the most infa-
nous measure that ever crossed the
threshold of the senate appeal to
the instincts of self interest and the sense
of common Justice IN the American people.
| The era of good feeling and the renewal of
commercial relations commencing with the
administration of Cleveland in 1884 should
not be interrupted by the inauguration of
policy tending to destroy popular repre-
sentation and tho purity of local self gov
ernment; which furnishes instruments to
the discredited federal power to perpstuate
itself: which seeks to keep alive sectional
| jealousies and strife; which threatens i'm
portant and material Interests, and which
offers no excuse or paliation for its exist
ence except the perpetuation in power of n
political party which has lost public conf
| dence."