The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1896-10-16
POINTS The REMEDY.
Timely Statement Made by Major McKin-
ley To Workingmen.

ley to workingmen.
There has been no more timely ut
terance sinte the campaign opened
than the statement made by Governor
Mckinley to a visiting delegation of
workingmen last week. that everybody
understands the first duty of a Repub-
lican congress would be the enact
ment of a new revenue law placing the
customs tariff on protection basis.
The Republican candidate clearly re-
allies the needs of the situation He
realizes the sources of disquiet that in
1893 plunged the country into an abyss
of stagnation from which Ii has not
yet emerged, and he understands the
measures that must be taken for its
rescue.
Opposition to free silver is a mega
tive position. 1t involves no remedial
action. There is no frea coinage of
silver in the United States now. The
Republican party has opposed and de-
feated free coinage legislation in con-
gress, as 1t will, without question, de-
feat it at the polls.
Republicans believe, however, and
the history of the country the past four
years has demonstrated the correct
ness Of their position, that the cause of
the financial panic in 1898, and Of the
depression that has followed, was the
triumph of the free trade Democracy
in 1892, and the free trade legislation
in 1893. So soon as it became known
that Grover Cleveland was elected and
that congress was Democratic in both
branches, then came a stagnation in
business. Cleveland and the Demo-
cratic congress were elected on plat
form that declared protection to be
robbery and violation of the consti-
tuition, and manufacturers naturally
declined to stock themselves with goods
that might have to be sold in competi-
ton with the products Of European
cheap labor.
The depression began the day after
the votes were counted, and it had as
sumed colossal magnitude by the time
Cleveland was inaugurated. 1t was
hardly to be expected that the presi-
dent should attribute it to its true
source He professed to see the cause
in the Sherman silver purchasing act,
which had been in full operation dur
ing two years of phenomenal prosper
ity, and he summoned congress to
meet in special session to repeal 1t.
The repeal did not help matters any,
and the long discussion over the Will
son tariff brought business down to
the lowest notch.
One faction of the Democratic party
proposes to cure the evils brought on
the country through the election of
Cleveland by the quack nostrum Of
free silver. Another faction, composed
of able Democrats, insist that nothing
is needed but to continue things as
they are and crush the free silver agi-
tation.
The Republicans agree with none OF
these. Republicans believe that the
experiment of free silver would bring
no relief, but would, on the contrary
introduce a new element of confusion
and Generalization. into the business
affairs of the country. But they also
realize that the do-nothing policy ad-
vecated by the sound money Democrats
would not lift business out of the
slough into which the Democratic tar
Tiff legislation has plunged 1t.
The Republican party is pledged to
the maintenance of the existing none
tary standard until 1t can be safely
changed, but it is also pledged to an
immediate revision of the tariff in the
interest of the American producer and
the American people. On that issue the
Republican party will make an ag-
gressive, and winning fight until the
polls close in ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS