The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-10-25
HILLS ARGUMENT.

Although the speech with which Senator
Hill opened the Democratic campaign in
New York on Wednesday evening can
hardly be considered 1.-The great Demo
cratic speech" for which the New York
Sun called some time ago, it was, never
theless, an authoritative utterance on Ma
tional issues from one of the foremost
leaders of the party and will be regarded
everywhere as an expression of the course
the Democracy intends to take in meeting
the Republican attack upon the leaders of
the administration.
Senator Hill attempts to relieve the
Democratic party from responsibility for
the depression of trade and industry that
followed the election of Cleveland by call
ing the beginning Of that depression ga
Republican panic" and attributing it to
the Mckinley tariff. 1t is probable we
shall hear this assertion many times re-
peated between now and the close of the
next Presidential election. The Demo
cratic leaders seem to have concluded
that lie well stuck to is as good as the
truth and will make their campaign on
that principle.
1t is hardly likely, however, that this
desperate resort of desperate men can
prove effective before q people who are
possessed Of memory and intelligence.
The industries of this country fourished,
work was abundant, wages were good, the
people were prosperous and the National
revenues were ample for the expenses of
the Government and reduction Of the
public debt, until the accession to power
of party Of free traders made it certain
hao of0r, -.
thrown down and our capitalists and
workingmen exposed to the competition
OF the cheap goods of foreign labor. From
that mOmeHt there were doubts, uncer-
tainties and fears in every trade Capital
was frightened, trade was paIalyzed, shops
were closed thousands were thrown out of
employment and the panic set in. 1t was
Democratic free-trade panic from start to
finish, and Senator Hill can never hood
wink the people into thinking otherwise
When he turned from his attack on the
Republican tariff to defend that which
Democratic stupidity and pertidy COM
blned managed to fasten on the country,
the argument of the Senator broke down
utterly. Here was point on which no
possible assertions could avail to conceal
the facts or deceive the people. The pres
ent tariff has been in effect year, and
every month, with but single exception,
has shown q deficit in the revenues,
Against these facts the astute Senator
could say nothing except to ask that the
tariff be given further trial, and to plead
that the trade and industries of the coun-
try be relieved from further tariff agitation
at this time.
SQn for Il
the people that tariff agitation is a mere
matter of party politics, and that it not
only can be but ought to be ignored for the
present. This, however, is false view of
the subject. The revision of the present
tariff is necessary matter of public bust
ness. At the close of the fiscal year 1894
there was a deficit in the revenues amount
ing to more than 500, 900. The fiscal
year closing with last June showed q fur
Their deficit of more than $42, 100000. The
first three months of the present fiscal wear
showed a deficit of more than $4,000, 00Q,
and this month will increase it. Where i.
all this to end2 How can an intelligent
and patriotic people ignore an issue of this
kind, which after injuring every private
industry threatens to bankrupt the Nation
force it further into debt?
Ii Hills speech may be taken as the best
argument that the ablest Democratic lead
ers can make on National issues we are not
surprised that Democratic candidates in
the various State elections this fall are
confnlng themselves closely to local al
ialrs. NO eloquence OF orauory, no pres
tlge of official rank possessed by the
speaker, can give such arguments weight
with the American people. Every voter
knows it was the Democratic assault on
American industry that produced the dis
aster from which we have not yet recov-