Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-06-01

dscsl.iul and demagOgIc policy and
methods he did q bold thing. II
he proposes to cat loose
from these dishonest methods
and policies be stamps himself man
without q party. These things he
would scarcely do in the face Of a Re-
publican convention, for whose iaver
be hoped, and whose love for the indie
pendent in politics is marked by its sb.
sence.
What was Mr.. STUBeIss driving at
then in his Grafton address. from the
IntelljgcnccTs report Of which we
quote?
It evident that he was talking in
the air. He could honestly speak to no
tangible point without squarely con-
dsmning the acts and policies Of thirty
years Of Republieanism. Aware Of this,
Mr.. STURsIss was exceedingly general
and ''oratorical" in his remarks.
His method OF curing our ills is scarce
ly less startling than interesting and is
somewhat In line with the tendency
which the REGISTER has heretofore
noted 10 several instances Of recent Re-
publican platform uttsrances in which a
strong SAVIOR OF Populist sentiment was
noticeable. For instance, Mr.. SrURGIss
would have Inhalation. by the govern
ment Of the wise landowner who gives
employment to his sons and helpers, by
clearing his forests, manufacturing its
products into lumber, opening his min
eral deposits and putting them into the
markets, utilizing his water courses for
power and transportation, and making
productive all bis hillsides and valleys. "
He goes further with this socialistic
plea to have the government do every
thing for the people and adds:
Let the government extend needed i'm
prOvements 70 our harbOrs, connect our in
land seas, the great lakes Of the north, by
canals, with the waters OF the Mississippi,
increase our navy, extend and strengthen
our coast defenses, irrigate our rEinless
districts Of the West, open all the public
lands for settlement, and make accessible
the minerals now under governmental con-
troll and complete the geological surveys Of
the whole country,
Whew! Beside these mighty schem-
es for the relief Of the unemployed
General" CoYEY's poor little plan to
spend $500, OOO 600 for road improve
ment dwlndles into insigni6cance and
becomes moderate; $500, Co., 900 would
not be q drop in the bucket toward car
rying out Mr.. STURGIss' schemes.
But will Mr.. SrUBGIss point out how
his magnificent plan, even were it pos
sible, would benefit the masses Of the
people, the taxpayers? Itwould neces-
state a vast increase in taxation. VIII
he tell US how it would benefit the peo-
pie to increase the burdens Of govern
ment? IL IS excessive and unjust
taxation that the people have rebelled
repeatedly against; it is taxation of the
many for the benefit Of the few that has
caused nine-teuths Of the ills the coun-
try is laboring under aud the discomfort
and suffering among the masses Of the
people. The looting Of the treasury by
the Reed-NcKinley billion dollar Con-
grsss has made 10 almost impossible to
reduce taxes. That was one Of the
lOoters' objects. Mr.. SrUBGIss' mad,
socialistic scheme would not only rem
der tax reduction utterly impossible In
any shape, but would necessitate
doubling or trebliug taxes. Would Mr.
SrURGIss relieve an Oyerburdened peo-
pie by increasing their burdens so as
bear them actually down 10 the earth
until they became practical Slaves, as
some Of their European brethren are?
Does Mr.. STURGIss propose to
preach such wild rot to the people Of
the Second District? Instead Of sing
ing hosannas to McKinleyism as usual
will be adopt the sociaIistic refrain,
"Uucle Sam is rich enough to give us
all a job"
If Mr.. STUEGIss did not mean just
this he should hasten TO explain him
self, for in that case his words have be-
lied him.