St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-09-07
SENATOR Villas SPEAKS,

SENATOR Villas SPEAKS.
| Vigorous Denunciation of Repub.
| lican Misrule.
MILWAUKEE, Wis. Sept 6. - The
state Democratic convention was called
to order promptly at noon today by
Chairman Wall. who announced that
Senator w. A. Villas would be temper
airy chairman. A roar of applause fol-
lowed this announcement, which was
renewed when the senator appeared on
the stage. Mr.. Villas spoke as follows:
''Since the Democrats of Wisconsin
| last assembled in state convention pub
| lie affairs have been full of interest and
Importance, as also heavy-laden with
trials. both to the people and their serv-
ants in office. The principles OF Dem
ocracy." said Mr.. Villas. "had not only
been triumphantly approved at the
election then ensuing, but have been
wonderfully, though grlevously vind.-
Gated by the msfortunes visited upon
our country, in the certainty of our
prophecy, but in even greater severity
than predicted" He then referred to
difficulties that had been imposed upon
| those in charge of national affairs dur
| ing the past eighteen months. and the
still greater strain placed upon the
public at large. While they had been
anXiOusly laboring to effect relief. the
air was being rent and the public tenn
per irrtated by false clamor of partisan
adyersaries, seeking to cover their COLI
scious responsibility for their affecting
evils.
1t had happened more than once in
the old days of power and splendor that
the Democratic party had suffered tenn.
porary reverseS through some fever of
irritation. skillfully engendered in the
''off year" between presidential cleo
tions, only to he strengthened for the
victory of the succeeding contest. Tho
adversaries of Democracy, in hopes of
plucking similar advantage from the
tickleness of political fortune, have al
ready cacklcd over their prospects as i f
the mischief were already done.an the
public interests were again their prey.
Finding the good SENSE of the people
not SO easily overturned, the fervor of
their expectancy has cooled and their
ardor abated. The condition had
changed within the last half of a cent
ury; means for quick, popular under.
standing were far superior to those
of the early days, and the people kept
pace with events as never before in
history. 1t was to this intelligence and
sober judgment that Democracy made
its appeal. Forebodings Of the present
disastrous conditions were apparent III
1884. when President Arthur sought the
nelp of Hugh McCulIoch, soliciting him
to take charge of the treasury. Mr.. Nc
Culloch replied that the most he could
hope to do was TO postpone the evil day
until after the close of the Arthur adj
ministration. This he did, and handed
over his portfolio to his successor, with
freely confessed relief. Daniel Mann
ing earning the gratitude of the whole
country and sacrificed his life under the
burden that he assumed. Almost from
the first hour tile good effects of the
measures he adopted for strengthening
the treasury and reducing expenses
we're apparent, and the happiest period
of business prosperity, development
and success In all directions marked the
closing years OF the Cleveland admins
tration. This prosperity had carried
over in Its good effects into the succeed
son. The latter had all abundant rev.
enue, with appropriations so limited by
the preceding Democratic congress
that an
Abundant Surplus
81.
psnses of the government were provided
for up to July l, 1s90,and as stated. after
their methods. cash balance remained
on hand of SlS3,S27.29. This was The
inheritance of thrift and management
the Republicans took from the Demo-
Gratis when President Harrison assumed
the presidential Office in March, 1889.
Never came heir more happily to a rich
estate from wise and prudent ancestor.
During the first two years of their ad.
ministration, out of the moneys secured
to them by the prudence of their prede-
cessors. the Republicans reduced the
public debt 1886, 572, $780, 10. but even this
was less by nearly Sl05.000,0O0 than
Gratis. In September, 1891, the
AZ per cent bonds fell due,
but there was no money to pay them.
and it became necessary to effect an
extension of over S2O,OO0.0oO. which is
still unpaid. The national bank re-
demptlOn fund was turned into the
treasury to increase its cash account,
and even the silver change was counted
to swell the showing. The policy of
postponing liability and deferring pay
ments was inaugurated, and the bust.
ness of the country was forced to con-
template the perils of weakened
treasury, with the chances of its gaining
strength growing weaker as the admin
| lstration drew to close and was en-
abled 10 deliver its burden to its sue
| ceSSOr.
The evils that had fallen upon the
| country Senator Villas attributed to
three causes, namely, the Fifty-iirst, or
so-called "billion dollar" congress, with
all its misdeeds; its silver-purcEasing
law; its Mckinley protection act, aud
| its
Unexampled Extravagance.
not only in direct appropriation. but in
entailing future obligations yet to be
discharged. The Cleveland administers.
ton had expended 1861. 1867. exclusive
of the expenses OF the postal depart
Ment and the reduction Of the public