Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-09-12


reserves to fall back upon.
And so it comes about that the facts
which have been apparent for over thirty
years together with the additional ones
demonstrated by successive Republican
administrations, now have, not only
added significance, but renewed interest
for the average voter. Through the hos
tility of the Cleveland administration
toward the Union pensioner we are re-
minded Of the fact that to the Republican
party is due the credit of having secured
nation IN place Of a confederacy. In
view Of the fact that the Democratic adj
ministration has increased in time of
peace the national debt more than one
hundred and sixty-hve millions it is es-
pecially significant that Republican ad-
ministrations have been debt paying
rather than debt contracting. While we
are now lboring under "A condition of
affairs, whereby this nation is unable to
meet expenses by reason OF reckless re-
duction Of revenue, it is pleasant to reflect
that such conditions were not allowed to
exist when the Republicans were in con-
troll of the machinery Of government
Now that we are compelled to endure the
humiliation incident to refusal to pay
just dues In order to save the treasury
it Is refreshing to remember the prompt
ness with which all just claims were met
Congress rendered themselves and the
country unable to continue the pay as
you 90 policy Whereas the Republican
party frankly avowed its determination to
collect adequate revenue In such a man
ncr as to afford equitable protection to
American enterprise and industry, the
Democratic party avowed its opposition
to any policy containing any elements Of
protection, declaring the latter to be IN
constitutional and robbery and then pro-
cecded TO enact a law rotten TO the core
with the grossest favoritism, insufficient
for revenue, false alike to the Democratic
platform and to the principle OF protec-
ton, Whereas the currency under a Re
publican administration was not exposed
to suspicion and raids upon the gold re
serve both to meet expenses and in conse.
quenoe of alarm over Democratic misman-
agement were not known and yellow dog
currency's friends dared not show their
heads, we have seen all that changed since
1898.
such truths force themselves home
upon the minds Of the American people
and brush aside the fictioDs Of the hour
They are trite truths but they are re-
freshing, interesting applicable to present
needs The voter is compelled to stop and
consider Them though three years ago he
wearied of them. The bare statement
of them is conclusive but when set forth
in his clear, vigorous style Of address by
senator sherman at Springfield, Tuesday,
they were. rendered doubly impressive.
We can do no better than quote some OF
his words:
This administration came into power
by the elusive cry for reform. The alleged
reform they have attempted is the repeal
of the Mckinley tariff and the enactment
of the Wilson tariff. This measure came
TO the Senate in such form that it was de-
uounocd by Democratic senators and
radically changed in the Senate, 1t was
In such form that the President refused
to sign it, and it became law without
bis signature. Its first fruit was insult
Gent revenue. 1t was full Of inconsistent
provisions. Its most important provision
was held by the supreme court to be Ut
constitutional IL sacrificed at one blow
the sheep industry of the United States.
Our Democratic friends denounced me for
voting for bill in 1883 that reduced the
duty on wool from twelve to ten cents
pound, though had opposed the reduc-
ton, and now they are called upon to sup
port measure making wool duty free
W nen appetitu TO Seiidtor BrlCe, my col
league, and the other Democratic senator's
to prevent this injustice, they said that
wool was raw material, and that it was
dogma of the Democratic party that all
raw materials should be admitted free of
duty.
Coal and iron ore are raw materials and
were by the House bill admitted free. but
these raw materials were being developed
in the South, and by the vote of southern
Democrats protective duty was put upon
them by the Senate bill. But woods.
chiefly the product of northern farmers,
was made duty free Any Democratic
senator could have prevented this injus-
tice, When pressed with their inconsist.
ency they said they must make some raw
material duty free to represent Demo.
cratic principles and selected wool far
that purpose. The whole bill as IT. be-
came law was a bundle of incopsist-
encies. What we mean to do, and will
90 when We have the power, Is to provida