Rock Island Argus., 1894-11-03

The Illinois Tariff Reform league, q
non-partisan organization whose mem
bership extends to all parts Of the
state and includes all political parties,
has cordially indorsed the candidacy of
Mr.. MacVeagh for the United States
senate as q tariff reformer. The ex-
ecutive committee of this well-known
organization has just issued the follow
ing address:
To the Tariff Reform Voters Of Illinois.
We congratulate you upon the present op-
portunity to secure q senator from this great
agricultural and commercial state. who will
admirably and ably represent our desire for o
freer commerce, that shall reduce the cost OF
living and extend our markets. Franklin Mac
Veagh Is no late or doubtful convert TO the
great cause of tariff reform. For more than
twenty years he has been one of its most eioc-
tive leaders, being actively identified with
every organized movement In its behalf. From
the organization OF this league early in 1889
until this year he served.as its president and
did everything in his power to advance its pur-
poses. Widely and honorably known as q
business man. he is still more favorably known
as an earnest and public-spirited citizen.
always ready to promote every movement in
behalf Of good government for all Successful
in o business in which there is free competi-
cial privilege or paternal goveroment in any
form. We heartily commend him to the voters
Of Illinois, irrespective OF party, as q man In
every way worthy to represent the senate of
the United States.
The disappointment which tariff rciormers
have felt because OF the recent exhibition of
the vast power OF monopoly to retard snd
shape legislation affecting the tariff. Is not
properly chargcablc to the democratic party.
That party, as represented by the president
houses OF congress. has pade an honest and
earnest effort to redeem every pledge made to
the people. and its final success. in view Of the
adverse conditions created by late republican
legislation in behalf Of monopoly and fits en-
trenchmcnt in the senate behind q solid repub-
lican vote, supported by few recreant men,
bers who misrepresented democratic constit-
uencies, is one Of the most remarkable in our
history. The present tariff bill was enacted
in the presence Of o financial panic caused by
republican legislation and Notwithstanding an
adverse majority in the senate. II is not so
remarkable that 1t contains some provisions
which tariff rcformers alone have a right TO re-
grct, as that any bill was passed against q
powerful financial influence which monopoly
controlled against any interference with the
infamous measure which it supplanted.
We desire to remind the voters Of Illinois
that VIC were in the full enjoyment Of whatever
paternal blessings the Mckinley bill had to
bestow during all the distressing months Of
the financial panic of 1865 The supporters o,
monopoly loudly claim that this panic was due
TO fear of tariff reform. We refuse To believe
that the vast maioritics OF 1890 and lss, by the
summer Of 1893 before the measure to give leg
islative expression to their will bad been
drafted. became alarmed ut what they had
done. To believe this Is 10 question the fitness
OF our people for self governments. Anyway
what shall be sSid OF financial policy fo- a
great people. which is so unstable that merely
to talk Of changing 1t produces such panir as
that through which we have recently passed:
All friends Of tariff reform should remember
that Mr. Cullor1. the senior senator from ILL.,
nois, has always been one OF the staunchesi
supporters OF monopoly, which is so strongly
intrenched IN the senate: that he has steadily
supported all the outrageous special iegisla-
tion since he became . member of that body
and that he, in common with the entire repub-
lican membership. united with few pretended
democratic members to delay and IL possible
entirely defeat the reform which the country
so emphaticclly demanded by the last general
elections This is no time in the struggle for
tariff reform for refoerners to cast any vote tc
return such men to the senate. The only
weakness OF our cause since lsaa has been in
that body. We now have an opportunity to
dismiss one who has represented only monop-
oily and special privilege, and send in his place
man who will represent the real interests
of ehis great state whose entire people are SC
vitality interested in the frecst possible COM
merce Win Ill the world Inc repubilc1n party
is to-day hopeiessly committed to the highest
possible tariff taxation permanent policy
and should receive no support from those who
believe that in free country there should be
no favorites OF the laws and no privileged class
to stand between the people und their govern
ment.
We earnestly recommend all who would hold
the measure Of reform already secured an1
take further steps US rapidly practicable &C
vote for the democratic candidates for the leg
fslature. TO the end that Mr. MacVeagh may
be sent to represent our state in the senate
We also strongly urge all tariff reforrners /,
Illinois. irrespective OF party. to vote directly
for the democratic candidates for congress
that we may continue to hold the house for re-
form
EDWIN BURRlTT SMITH. President
OTIs :. FAVOR Secretary.
By direction OF Executive Committee Illinois
Tariff Reform League.