The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1894-09-26

70 endure, and the promise was re-
deemed, despite the adverse predictions
Of our adversaries.
We also declared in favor Of the re.
peal OF that last relic Of post -bellum
partisan legislation known as the fed
eral elections law, which invaded state
rights, menaced the liberties OF tho cit
izen, multiplied federal officials, in.
volved the expenditure OF millions OF
money, continued sectional animosities
and wore as ill-conceived, unnecessary
and impotent for the prevention OF
fraudulent practices and tho promotion
Of pure elections as they were vexatious
and offensive in their enforcement.
ALL HAIL TO FREEDOM PoR PRAUD.
l point you TO the fact that the Dem.
ocratic party although entrenched for
four years with tho distribution OF all
tho official patronage incident to the ex-
ecution Of these powerful laws, yet with
patriotic self sacrifice deliberately cast
asido all the power, influence and pa-
tronage involved therein, subordinat-
ing temporary selfish interest to tho
public good, wiped these odious laws
from the statute books within the tirat
year Of our administration aud at the
ensuing congressional elections will be
witnessed for tho first time in twenty
iour years state elections conducted
as they Of right ought to be, without
federal Interference, dictation or intim-
idation-without federal supervisors.
Inarshals or other obnoxious federal
agents or instrumentalities. but with
state officials selected or chosen by tho
people themselves according to state
laws aud usages, for an exemplidcation
OF the principle OF home rule In states,
and vindicatIon Of the doctrine Of the
sovereignty OF tho states as 1t was rec
ognized by our fathers from the founda-
ton OF our government until that evil
day In the sixties when the Republt-
cans, although minority party. owing
to our own divisions, accidentally OBJ
tainod control of tho country. We re-
joice that with Democratic national as
cendancy tho country consistently re.
turns to tho simple methods, the sound
principles and the correct administra-
ltion OF public offices which character
lied the earlier and better days OF the
republic.
THE OLD cry.
The enactment Of the Mckinley tariff
law was the eliminating atrocity OF
Republican reckleasness in legislation;
so extrome, go selfish, so unreasonable,
that I hazard nothing in asserting that
conservative and fair-minded Republi-
cans everywhere regretted the party
exigencies which seemed to demand its
passage. 1t was the very personifica-
tion OF protection run mad. Throwing
off all disguises, 1t was tho inauguration
of huge scheme Of governmental par
tisanshi p with private business inter
ests. The reaction which soon followed
in the elections Of 1890 and reiterated in
1892, was tho natural and legitimate
expression OF the popular indignation
at the party which had basely surrend-
cred to the mercenaries within its own
ranks, and had bartered away the pub.
lie good for selfish greed.
The right Of taxation, which is only
justified for purposes OF revenue, was
improperly invoked to promote the In
forests of business iavorltism aud the
grand old doctrine cherished by our
fathers, that the legislation of tho coun-
try should be framed so as to subserye
the greate,t good for the greatest mum.
Der, was wholly ignored, spurned and
repudiated. We promised tho people
that II intrusted with power this VIC
ious, un-American and objectionable
law should be repealed, and we rejoice
to-day in the fulfillment OF that pledge.
The Mckinley law has gone where tho
woodbine twineth, gone to stay, never
to be re.enacted again by any political
party. 1t is true that there was vex-
atious aud unfortunate delay which we
required, occasioned In part by tho
antiquated rules Of the senate, which
tolerated unlimited debate-rules which
We did not frame, but which we in
herited, and which by reason OF our
slender majority wo seemed unable to
change, but which. trust, In
the near future will be ab-
rogated; but the fact should
be remembered that the record
shows that we occupied less
time by some months to repeating the
law than our opponents took in enact
ing it in 1890.