Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1894-12-07
Ex-Congressman Wilson Dodgine
the Tariff Issue.

Honorable Roswell G. Horr, one
of the editors of the New York
Tribune, thus criticises the Free
Trade champion Congressman OF
West Virginia, Ex-Congressman
Wilson
i remember we'll two years ago,
when the Republicans were over
whelmingly defeated at the polls,
that the leaders of the Democratic
party, among them Mr.. Wilson him.
self, insisted that the people by
large majority had decided in favor
of tariff reform. -,
The readers of the Tribune will
bear me witness that at that time
The Tribune frankly admitted the
verdict Of the people seemed 10
be against protection, and that they
had decided in favor of a tariff tor
revenue only. They will also bear
witness that the Tribune stated
openly and constantly that the
country would now, for the first
time in thirty years, have a chance
TO test the workings of the two sys-
TENS. The Tribune confidently pre-
dicted that vicious legislation would
follow. The results which must
necessarily follow such legislation
were pointed out. The Tribune
stated then that the workings of the
two systems were about to be tested
in a practical way, and that while 1t
was feared the education of the peo-
pie might be fearfully expensive the
lesson would be perfectly learned.
The legislation which was expected
has followed. The results which
the Tribune predicted have taken
place.
When the Democracy entered
upon its work of changing the tariff,
the people openly condemned the
whole business at once. A cry vent
up from the working people OF
every shop and factory against such
legislation. They begged the Dem
ocratic leaders TO stay their hands
They sent petitions to them IN
Washington 10y the hundreds OF
thousands. Committees from all
over the country visited Washing
ton and attempted TO prevent any al
teration of the Mckinley tarlti
Mr.. Wilson and his crew hardly
gave them a hearing. They SAID,
ave have had the verdict OF the
people upon this question; we pro,
pose to give heed to that verdict
The committees which were sent to
Washington returned 10 their homes
asserting that they would show al
the next election what they thought
upon that subject And they have
shown it. Was there ever In this
country another decision so over
whelming? Think Of the fact that
from twenty-five states IN the
Union there will not be a singI,
democratic free trader IN Congress
Think also of the great States OF
New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, ill'
nois and Massachusetts with l2C
Congressman and only dozen Of
them Democrats.
If the verdict of the people was Sc
important and decisive in favor o
free trade in 1892, pray why is no
such a marvellous majority agains
free trade important in 1894:
Mr.. Wilson may whistle on hi
way through the graveyard as mnci
as he pleases. lie will have hare
time in convincing this country tina
the vote i'm 1894 did not mean some
thing. lie will, in my judgement
also have some difficulty in getting
the Congress elected in 1892 TO pro
coed further with his free.trade leg
islation. The long list of free-trad
Democrats who have been left q
home by the recent election am
who understand full well, if MI
Wilton does not, that they hav
been defeated on account OF tbei
tariff legislation aud nothing eIs'
will be slow in their efforts TO cor
tinue the legislation which resulte
in such disaster to them. a free
trader who can look over the sltu'
zion and canno, see the handwritin
ON the wall must be blind indeed
The people of the United States al
tired of Mr.. Wilson and his entir
free.trade gang. Gentlemen, 20
have been weighed in the bslanc
and found wanting. The people {
the United States believe in legi
lating for the interests of our ow
country, and not for the purpose {
aiding the people of Great Britain
The decision is clear cut, and shout
be considered decisive.
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Governor Mckinley's last can
paign has no parallel in histort.
ihe eight weeks he travelled 1888
miles i'm i states, making 81