The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1894-10-19
STEyENS0N'S SPEECH.
The Vice President Talks on Dem.
ocratic Achievements.
Conditions That Confronted the Cicvs
land Administration BENEFITS Ac-
cruiRg from Democratic
Measures.


test OF 1892, the battle was fought and won by
the democratic party. almost upon the single
issue OF tariff reform Upon the issue OF re-
duced tnrin taxation upon the nccessarics OF
life. AZ against high protectlonism. Mr.. Cleyc-
land was elected and the democracy restored
10 power For the first time within third 81
century. the democratic party on March 4.
1893 controlled the presidency and both houses
OF the congress. Under these conditions. the
country had much % expect ~ the great his
toric party now restored 10 power. How has
the party kept faith with the people, What
steps have been taken along the pathway OF
tariff reform Has the democratic party but
kept the word Of promise to the ear and
broken II TO the hope; or has II made an earnest
effort 10 make good every promise made In It's
platform and upon the hnstlngsf This Is the
question now submitted to the peaceful arbi-
trament OF the ballot
give me your attention my fellow-citIzens.
and shall endeavor to show that the demo-
cratic party has kept faith with those who in
trusted IL with power: that against monopo-
lies. fostered and strengthened by more than "a
third 81 century OF republican legislation,
long strides have been taken along the line of
true tariff reform.
1T must not be forgotten that at the close OF
President Clevelands first term on the 4th Of
March. 1859. the republicans came into power
the bcnefciaries Of four years Of wise and
economical administration OF the government
Business conditions were favorable the coun-
try was prosperous. and the annual revenues
were little less than one hundred million dol
lars In excess OF its expenditures. The ques-
ton, as YOU viii remember. then was. What
shall we do with the surplus: All this was
the result OF the able and economical policy
and methods OF President Cleveland ana his
political associates In cabinet and congress.
Four years later. when the republicans retired
from place and power, they left no such yexa-
tious question a. What shall be done with the
surplus 70 torment the incoming democratic
administration. Had the republican admins
ton continued month longer the necessity
for issuing bonds in order to meet the current
expenses Of the government would have been
imperative. There could have been no pos>i-
BILE escape from IT, As IL was. the evil day
was only tlded overly post nonlng the payment
Of maturcd governmental obligations. The
present chairman OF the committee 81 ways
and means Of the house Of representatives has
publicly made the statement that the last re-
publican secretary OF the treasury stated 10
that committee Just prior 70 the close OF the
Harrison administration that additional in
come OF fifty million dollars year was a
necessity.
II beg you to mark the contrast. The re-
publican party at the inauguration of Presi-
dent Harrison was the heir to all that Glove
land and his party had achieved during four
years OF successful administration As have
said. they found business conditions every
where favorable. the treasury overfiowing. tho
country prosperous Four years later on the
9TH OF March. 1888 the republican admin ira
ton retired from power. leaving depleted
treasury. governmental obligations undis-
charged. and the country upon the verge OF
bankruptcy.
THE all-mportant question now arises
what was the cause OF this Why surplus
revenues and business prosperity ut the close
OF the democratic administration. and a bank
rupt treasury ana the country staggering upon
the verge OF financial ruin four years later
when the Harrison administration retired from
power. IL was. my fellow citizens. the logica
the inevitable result 81 the enactment OF the
| Mckinley tariff law. law that will take IL.
place IN history as the browning act Of the bill
! lion dollar congress- both branches Of which
- you know. were under republican control
| The Nick inley law increased tariff taxes upuf
| the nee, ~saries OF life to point far bcyoE.
the highest rate hitherto known to our his
tory. In its effect upon foreign importation>
| Il was in "A large measure. prohiliiury tarfi
The intention OF its authors was 10 give th'
market To the home ms nufaciUrcr ana allow
him at his own sweet viii. TO increase to the
consumer the cost ~ ali the necessities ~ life
How was this 10 be Accomplishment SIMPLY by
SO increasing the tariff tax ~ Ia many lu-
stances To absolutely prevent foreign com PEE
tition But this was not Az. Tho Mckinley
the cost " all articles that enter into daily
consumption. but il deprived the government
OF its accustomed NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. ab~o-
lutely necessary to meet the daily and hourl,
expenses OF the government. The importa'
lions being cut on. o. necessity the revenues
we're cut OF. Is it 10 be wondered then. thai
under the operation OF the Mckinley law. the
surplus left BY the Cleveland administrators
disappeared and deficit threatened our ma
tional treasury: Thus. as you will see. the in
evitable effect OF the Mckinley law was frst
to increase to the purchaser the cost ~ his
goods and In the second place. to deprive tho
government OF revenues absolutely necessary
10 meet its current expenses.
Now my fellow citizens. IL is not cinicgil
TO understand why IT was that the heritage o:
the second administration OF President tlesc-
land from It's republican predecessor was lie
pleted treasury II must not be forgottcr
That one provision Of the Mckinley Law re-
quired the annual payment 81 a bounty 70 tfF
sugar planters for long term OF years This
bounty exceeded in Its aggregate for the L. 81
fiscal year the enormous sun - twelve million
dollars The enormity OF this legislation viii
not now discuss. 1t has AZ the ballot box re-
ceived the unmistaksbie condemnation OF IN,
American people.
u have now given In hurried review some.
thing OF the conditions that confronted the In
coming democratic administration on the 4ih
OF March. 1893 and Of the ..l-.dsssed legisia-
ton that brought to this sud condition the
treasury and country. You cannot have for
gotten how earnestly President Cleveland and
his political associa address d thcmsclve'
to the task OF making good their PROMISES Il
reduce taxation. nor can you have forgotten
the unfortunate conditions prevailing at the
time this great work was inausurated Bust
ness was parniyzcd the workshops were
closed the great army OF wsgc-carner- In en-
forced idleness and poverty and want the corn
mon lot. II Is no figure Of speech TO say that
literally men were begging their brothers Of
the earth 10 give them leave to toll
Bear in mind. that this wns the actual con-
dition while the Mckinley law was still II
force and before an arm had been lifted by the
democratic congress to change the existing
law These nrc the stubborn facts with which
the republican leaders are now confronted
What Is their answer, What explanation d,
they give you as 20 this terrible condition OF
| our business industries under the Mckinley
law. their own darling enactment They can
| not DENY the fact that these conditions sprans
| into existence under the Mckinley law. but
they tell you they were the result Of n want OF
| confidence felt by the country In the demo
| cratic party A. this has been the burden 81
their complaint In the press and upon the
| stump. let IL have careful examination. What
| il their charge, That the financial depression
| under which the country was staggering whcr
| the democracy came into power, Was caused
| by an apprehension fearful forebodng upor
the Part Of the American pcopie--that Presi-