Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1894-10-17
THE Villas MEETING.
The Cuckoo" Talks to Big Audience,
but No Ovation is Accorded Him.

turner opera mouse 10 the doors last
Thursday evening, when William F.
Villas, our distinguished senior sena-
tor, one of the "Divinely Appointed'
Cleveland's leading "cuckoos," and
the somewhat notorious "Pine Land
Grabber," was announced to speak on
Democratic principles. Just a ripple
of applause, which it had been sup
posed would (but didn') completely
outdo the music of the Watertown
band, came forth from the multitude
as the renowned gentleman. accompa-
MED by several leading lights of the
local Democracy, moved down the
center aisle to the nicely decorated
stage, where he was introduced by
Mayor w. F. Voss, president of the
Democratic club. Senator Villas con-
fined his talk principally to the tariff
question, but also dwelt briefly on
financial matters. He said that at the
beginning Of the last Cleveland admin
istration the United States treasury
was SO low, owing to the extravaganza
of Harrison's administration, that
government bonds held in Europe
were fast returned to this country for
REDEEM ption because fear prevailed that
we would go into bankruptcy, and that
to meet this demand the gold reserve
had to be touched. Perhaps the notori-
Gus fact of the ruling element of the
Democratic party-the SOuth-being
com mitted to the free silver fallacy and
wildcat money schemes encouraged
this fear of the foreigners largely, and
perhaps it did not, but of course the
senator neglected to say anything on
that point. In fact, his whole speech
teemed with these omissions, ,and he un-
warily advanced several good Republi-
can arguments, the best of which being
when be said that all. or nearly all, of
the carpets now used in this country
are manufactured here, whereas for
merly Europe was the producer. But
Mr.. Villas failed to state that protection
had built up this great industry and
made this production possible in our
midst He further stated that duty on
competitive articles did not tend to
increase their price, but that it did on
non competitive articles, thereby
agreeing with the very first Republican
principle. He endeavored to explain,
however, that the wrong of this tariff
system was that it fostered trusts and
monopolies. Of course there are no
trusts outside of the United States
There are none In England. Trusts
are surely not the most charita BILE in
stitutions, but perhaps if they are to
exist, portion of the labor they en-
ploy might just as we'll be employed
here, instead Of having it all go to some
foreign nation, which seems to be Mr..
Villas policy. 1t was quite amusing to
notice the senator posing as the arch
enemy of the capitalists, but this was
only proof of his we'll known insincer-
ity. Through his nefarious and illegiti-
mate pine land dealings it is known
that he has grown quite wealthy him
self, and that he is anything but an
honest friend of the common people
has often been shown. Another great
scheme Of the senator's was brought
out by his talk on wheat. (He said
nothing about barley.) Because there
is. or has been. an over production of
the cereal in this country, be would
have the tariff wiped out and the
markets of the world enter for compe-
tition. Can any one tell how millions
of bushels of foreign wheat on top of
our own over-production will enrich
our growers? His tariff arguments would
certainly not hold water, and it was
surprising that man of Senator Villas
supposed calibre as politician should
so far overstep the bounds of proprie-
ty On the whole, the speech was dis
appointing-to Democrats because the
arguments were not more convincing
and to Republicans because they had
expected to hear a grander flow of elo-
quence. Senator Villas complained of
being indisposed, and perhaps to this
may be attributed in some degree his
failure to please. There was scarcely
any enthusiasm manifested, which was
contrary to what might be expected
from SO magnificent an audience in the
banner Democratic city Of the state at
reception to the party's great leader.
But this seems not to be Villas COM
munity. the people no doubt having in
mind his great antipathy to General
Bragg, who is by all odds the favorite
OF the masses.
During the course of his remarks
Senator Villas attempted to defend the
disgraceful record Of his party's legis-
lators In the last congress. He said
that they had ultimately succeeded
in passing tariff measure, but he did
not tell what sort of measure it was,
or that it was tainted with "perfidy
and dishonor." He laid all the blame
for obstrncting legislation at the door
of the Republicans, but failed to pro-
perry score German, Brice and other
monopoly catering ohstructionists of
his own party. Senator Villas paid his
respects to Mckinley, the great
protectionlst, at the mention of whose
name there was pronounced applause.
wherenDOn the speaker shook off his
senatorial dignity and got back at his
Republican hearers by telling them
they had all been befooled and mislead
through McKinleyism The meeting
hHTNr - j