The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1894-01-27
All Honor to Rayner.


Hon Isador Rayner, of Maryland, de-
livered a speech in the House Of Represent
atives on Tuesday that was a credit to
himself and a credit to Maryland. Con-
gresham McKaig, of the Sixth District,
and Representatives from the coal regions
of Alabama, West Virginia and Pennsyl-
vania, had spoken in favor of restoring the
tax of seventy-five cents ton on coal.
Mr.. Rayner, after giving some statistics as
to the expectation of coal to Canada and
Mexico, and denying that placing coal
on the free list would be detrimental to
the coal interests of the United States,
proclaimed some wholesome truths as 10
the duty of Democrats, He said
| utterly deny that il comes within our
province as Democratic Representatives to
stand here and demand protection for the in
dustries of our respective districts Ii such
course is iustifiable. there is an end of all
Democracy and tariff reform. If we are rev.
euue reformers in every one else's district
except our own, then there will be no revenue
reform at all and we might as well resolve
ourselves into mercenary mob ready to re
treat whenever our own interests are involved
instead of presenting an unbroken front upon
the solemn pledges that We made the people.
If am here to defend the Mckinley bill so
far as the interests of Maryland are concerned,
then differ in no degree whatever from
Republicis Representative who defends the
bill so far as the interests Of Pennsylvania or
any other State are concerned. ought to
cross the line and take my place with him or
resign the trust that has been reposed IN me
by the confidence and suifrages of my party.
If the protected industries of our districts
threaten us with defeat unless we accede TO
their demands, Is it better to make terms with
them and purchase continuance of our
places. or Is it the proper course to scorn the
proposal. and go down if need be with the
pledges of our platform and the traditions
and principles OF our party?
| come from manufacturing centre. BY
this bill duties have been reduced all along
the line throughout the district that | repre-
sent. | have been appealed to in every case
where changes have been made upon the
schedules TO endeavor to amend this bill SO
as to keep the duty on. These appeals have
come to me in the strongest way from the
most influential sources. | had but one re-
ply substantially TO make to them, and that
is, that | was not sent here for any such pur'
pose; that upon this measure | represent my
party and my country and not the protected
industries of my district, and that if the dis
tr!ct desires a continuance of the oppressive
rates of the Mckinley bill it must send "a pro-
tectonist to Congress- and that whatever may
be the consequence to myself shall follow
my convictions and not beat cowardly re
trent when the call TO arms summons us for
action There are two classes of persons who
can no longer be deceived upon the matter
the farmers of the country, who at every coun-
try store and farmyard, at every country court
and cross road, are arraigning this system that
has impoverished and bankrupted them, and
the laborers of the country, nineteen TWEEN
tieths of whom are not employed i'll the pro
tecied industries at all, who can no longer be
intimidated and made to vote against their
convictions, and who realize the fact that they
earn every dollar of wages they receive be-
cause as rule they work longer and harder
and better than any other mechanic in the
world