The record-union., 1894-08-03
THE POLITICAL POT.
Opening of the Campaign in San
Francisco.
Speech of NJ. NJ. Esree, the Republican
Candidate for Governor of
California.

Eddy streets.
The speakers were NJ. NJ. Estee, candi-
date for Governor, George A. Knight and
Grove l.. Johnson, candidate for Con-
gress in this district. Mr.. Estee's speech
was very long, and we can only give
portions OF it. He said:
Fett0lg- Citizens: The history of modern
civilization shows that the more enlight-
ened the people the less they need to be
governed, and that the nation is gov
erned best which is governed the least.
Indeed, all that the wiseSt statesmanShlp
can secure to the citizen, beyond the pro-
lection OF his lite and liberty, is the OPP
portnnity to help himself. Failing in this,
the law fails; and thus it Is that when not
interfering with the rights Of others,
what the people most need is to De let
alone. 1t is the constant nagging, the
threat OF change, the experimenting
with good conditions, the remodeiing OF
commercial, revenue and financial sys-
TENS, the attempt (otten Tor partisan pur-
poses) to do something new, whether the
thing done IS an improvement or not, and
the uncertainty as TO what changes are TO
be so made, that endanger the business
industries OF the country, interfere with
work and wages, make uncertain what
should be stable, and thus cause hard
times. Indeed, any change which de-
creaseS the amount of work or lowers the
price of labor is bad.
There is nothing which so largely con-
trolls the demand Tor and the price OF
labor, the value OF commodities and the
success or failure of the Industrial pur-
suits OF our people, as the tariff duties
imposed on foreign manufactured goods.
This is so because a change in the pro-
tectlve duties imposed on such articles
imported into our own country causes a
change in the amount OF manufacturing
done in America, and this affects the de-
mand for and the price of labor.
Two years ago the Democratic party
gained power under the seductive cry OF
tariff reform. Exactly what tariff reform
meant no one ever knew before election;
the Democrats themselves do not know
now. 1t is true the Democratic party de-
clared in its national platform that pro-
lection was unconstitutional; that 1t was
a mere phrase, for if protection is uncon-
stitutional free trade is also unconstitu-
tional. The proposition was so absurd
that no Democratic Congressman has at
tempted to sustain it by his vote. Since
the Democracy went into power it has,
by the aid OF the Populists, and especially
by the aid of Mr.. Cannon tthe only Popu-
list elected 20 Congress from California;,
endeayored to give to the people of this
cldlt anu VIC p6OptO VI tAO ~NdIlOll q AOS-
son in tariff reform. We need but re-
view the instructive experience which
seventeen months of that reform has
taught the people, to know what Demo-
cratic and PopuliSt tariff reform means.
Looking at the present condition OF our
country, the wrecks OF fortunes, the desc
lated homes, the unrewarded labor. the
appeals which want and hunger make,
we cannot but see the cause for this most
deDlorable condition, a review OF which
cannot fail to be instructive
On the 4th OF March, 1898, when MIR.
Cleveland was inaugurated, prosperity
preYailed-our exports exceeded our ln-
ports, our income exceeded our eXpend-
iture. The wheels of machinery were
everywhere III motion. The products OF
the farm and factory brought fair prices,
labor was we'll employed and at good
wages. There was SI3J,009,0O0 OF unex-
pended balances in the National Treas
TRY. No financial stress existed. Money
was abundant. BY the purchase of silver
and the issue Of silver certificates S40,-
600, 900 was monthly added to the circu-
lating medium of the country. Nowhere
did want exist or was unrest noticed
Prosperity had prevailed so many years
that very few believed the people OF
America could suffer. This great coun-
try, with its vast resources, seemed proof
for the preceding year our foreign COM
merce had never been so large that our
exports had been 81 ,030, 27S, 14o, while our
imports were SSZ7. .402, 462, leaving net
balance of exports over imports OF S2O2,- :
SO, $50; that the public debt had been
largely paid OFT; that millions OF dollars
were annually and willingly paid as
pensions to the soldiers; that our foreign
policy, under the wise direction of Presi-
III y
mauded the respect of foreign nations
and the confidence of Americans; that
profound peace prevailed throughout the
world, and that no rational reason eX-
listed for the suffering of the poor or the
financial losses of the rich.
1t is true many thoughtless persons
complained of their condition and wanted
a change. The change came, and with it
the most frightful condition of things
that ever IN time of peace confronted "a
great commercial and industrial nation.
With resources as vast and as varied as
the wants OF man, with territory cover
ing half continent, with a surplus OF all
the necessarieS of life, 90, 900, 900 Of people
found themselves III distress. Within
twelve months after MIR. Cleveland was
inaugurated 10000 American laborers
were thrown out of employment, the
value of the products Of the farm and the
factory were lowered more than % per
cent. all new and many old enterprises
were stopped in every direction; a brake
was placed on the wheels OF American
progress; halt called along the line of
American advancement; our foreign and
domestic commerce was largely suS-
pended. For full year and five months
the American people have been in a state
of siege. Had every port of our country
been closed our condition could hardly
have been worse. Without any unusual
demands upon the Government since
Mr.. Cleveland's inauguration our ma
tional indebtedness has increased $72, 000,-
900. To meet our gold balances at home
and abroad we have issued $4,000, 600 gold
bonds, and more must soon be issued or
we will cease to pay. By Mr.. Cleveland's S
recommendation silver has been practi-
cally demonetiZed.
Before the Democracy commenced to
carry out the present policy of revenue
and finance, in California the fall clip Of
wool sold at Ii to 20 cents a pound. Now
il sells at from to 10 cents q pound.
Wheat sold at 81 % TO 81 80 a GENITAL
Now it sells at from 80 cents to 81. Rails
ins sold at from 81 to 81 90 box. They
now sell at 90 cents TO So cents box.
Farm labor was worth from S25 to $50 a
month, while now but SIS TO SO And so
along the whole line of California pro-
ductions the same appalling depression
in prices is everywhere noticed. Nor is
the result different here than elsewhere
throughout the republic. Money two
years ago was abundant. Now it is dear,
scarce and difficult TO get. To carry the
parallel further, we need but state til at
more banks and commercial houses have
failed since the 4th of March, 1893, than
for any other like period in the history of
the republic.
II is asked, what are the reasons for
these calamities and what is the remedy !?
These conditions have resulted from
Democratic tariff reform, from a change
in our monetary system and from the
settled Democratic policy TO foreignize
our country. In word, Mr.. Cleveland,
bY Introducing free trade and low WAGES