Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1894-09-29
CRAFTSMANSHIP.
The Campaign of B. +. Claggett
Demonstrates Wisdom.
A VERY STRONG NOMINATION.

tlC1an.
The democrats of the state are real
izing that in the selection of Hon. B.
j. Claggett as the candidate for state
treasurer the state convention made
no mistake, for the superiority of the
statesman over the ward politician is
being daily demonstrated in the cam
paign that is being waged by Messrs.
Claggett and Wolff. The latter. as
the republican candidate. is Obliged
TO contire himself to a Misunderstanding.
picnic campaign, while Mr.. Clageett is
making the tour of the state and dis
cusslng the issues of the dav in man
ner which promises to win him thou
sands Of votes from the republican
ranks.
His recent speech at McLeansboro
has attracted so much general atten-
ton that il well deserves to be pnb-
lished in full II every aemoc.-a tic paper
in the state.
Alluding TO the tariff question, Mr..
Claggett said:
4 took the people long time to realize
that they were being robbed. that they were
compelled 10 pay two distinct taxes-eIe for the
maintenance Of the government and the other
TO- the support OF wealthy manufacturers-but
when the awakening caIno the peopIe enraged
because of the long deception that had been
practiced upon them. huricd the republicans
from power. Applause Then. after repeal
ing the Mckinley fraud. the democrats passed
reform tariff bill which reduced the rate on
nearly everything necessary 10 the comfortable
existence Of the people. and the purchasing
power of a dollar was increased almost one
third The bill, while vastly beneficial to every
man, woman and child in Illinois, IA not all we
wanted nor all we intend to do in relieving the
people OF unjust burdens: but this much was
won after prolonged struggle with -enublicsn
senators aided by fewtreGcheroas democrats
NOW, you know anG remember ali this ana I
remind you OF il here because the Republican
leaders. who plumber the people in the guisc Of
protecting them ask YOU TO forget and forgive
aud give them another chance 20 practice their
peculiar protection. l''Never. ,cver.~l
Ihe sugar planters OF louisiana have given
the country the most striking object lesson of
the injustice OF protection that reasoning poo
pie could ask. Here were . lot OF freebooterS
no; more than six hundred, democrats. bush
TO confess. who had persuaded the governments
to make them ths special bets of p-otec.ion
A bounty OF nearly thirteen million dollars
was paid 10 these men 10 induce them to con-
tinue In the business of Si.gar-groIing an in
cuStry they had selected because u was profit
able ofitsef. as much corn or wheat grow
Ing l. profitable 70 the grain raisers of Ilirois
THESE sugar grove, we're >uHared cut of the
treasury o: the United States in the sum O,
nearly thirteen millions, which vas added to the
taxes OF all the people. Ii was "A hiyh-handed
outrage. and one that cried louder than Ill otn-
efS, next to the Mckinley monsirosity
itself for prompt correction. The democratic
congress abolished this sugar bounty aud
checked that drain on the public treasury and
saved millions 20 the people. This Just action
aroused the violent indignation of the PAM
pered sugar planters. and they recently held a
meeting fC express Sheir displcisure AZ being
deprived OF their sugar pensions, and resolved
70 leave the democratic party daughter.
where VIII they go: They viii so to the par.y
that plumbers the people in he name oi PRO-
lection they Will go where al the plunde-ers
y to bef ,t,ls
the sentiments Q: every democrat aud
go where birds Of feather flock
together There is one organization that
mand special favors al the expense OF the peo-
pie. whether they be protectionists or demo-
cratic sugar bounty snatchers, and that is the
republican party. NOT Of Lincoln, Logan and
Grant, but the republican party of to-day
which should he termed the party Of public
plunderers Honesty. like charity should be-
gin al home: and since the democrats are turn
ing the republican rascals out Of office we cam
not consistently refuse &c turn the democratic
sugar-bounty grabbers out of the democratic
party. Inc plea that the government nursing
bottle should be kept at the lips OF our infant
industries had some force when they were IL
fants, but since they have grown old enough to
light for themselves and rich enough TO con-
troll legislation. think it time the bottle were
taken from them Laughter and applause
STATE ISSUES.
Referring &c state issues Mr. Clac-
gett said:
What is true Of the republican party in the
nation applies with equal force 10 its admin
istration OF state affairs in Illinois. For nearly
every year OF their thirty-three years of con-
troll the republican party has been ruled
ridden dominated and directed by a ring Of
selfish and corrupt politicians the rnemt.ers Of
which either filled the offices themselves or
placed favorftes therein. This came to be
known es the Illinois republican machine"
Its organization WIS perfect and its rule was
deSpotic. The people hae no voice in the Sc
lection Of candidates, the machine debating
the nominees not only In the state convention.
put even IN district and county conventions
To disobey the machine was to be dis
qualified from holding Office and if an honest
republican protested he was branded as a
''bolter and read out of the party Its state
central committee was part OF the machine
while district and county central committees
we're obedient subordinates Governors United
States senators and congressman were ma
chine-made. II promulgated and secured the
able to its fayoriteS. Machine-Inade state
treaSurerS diverted millions of dollars from
tne state treasury to their own pockets, which.
rs interest on public funds. belonged to the
people. The Illinois republican machine rode
rough shod over the will of the voters oppos-
ing everything the people had at heart, includ-
ing desire to name United States senators hy
popular selection Ii was prompt to reward ira
creatures out of the public treasury and merci-
less In Furnishing its enemies by branding them
as boilers. The director Of this machine was
John X. Tanner and one Of its chief beneficial
ries was Shelby NJ. Cullom-
Citizens of Illinois. you asked TO restore
tins machine to power again with all its
crooked ana corrupt practices, with an army
of nenchnen holding the offices. with its mer-
CHESS methods OF crushing out opposition with
Its open defiance Of the popular will with its
dishonest use of the public Offices and peoples
money to retain power and with Shelby NJ
Cullom in control and John r. Tanner at the
throttle.
Democrats and citizens all: In the nation
as IN the state, the democratic party has re-
oeemed its pledges OF reform made to the peo-
pie. 1t has checked the hcadlony pace of reck-
lessness which n third of a century of repub-
ican rule had encouraged: Ii has arrested the
hands OF trusts and monopolies and jobberies
OF ali kinds in their systematic robbery of the
people, II has broken the power OF rings in
congress and given the people a voice in legis-
lat1on II has repealed u tariff law mace in the
interest OF trusts and enacted one in the inter-
est OF the people: it has abolished the prac-
tiee OF conducting the government for the BEN
eft OF professional politicians and introduced
an administration of affairs seeking always
the welfare OF the people, IL has turned its
back upon system OF extravaganza cor
ruption. favoritism OF corporate capi-
tai as against the people, which il
pursued another third Of a century.
would surely subvert the intent and mission OF
our institutions. inspired by the lofty spirit of
patriotism OF the fathers and cemented in their
blood. and given us in their stead a govern
ment for and by the money power The demo-
cratic party is the party Of the people. 1t has
restored prosperity, peace and corltentment-