Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1896-10-22
POINTS iHs eeagcv.
Timely Statement Made BY Major Mekin-
ley to WOrklngmen.


There has been no more timely ut
terance since the campaign opened
than the statement made by Governor
Mckinley to visiting delegation Of
workingmen last week. that everybody
understands the first duty Of Repub-
lican congress would he the enact
ment of new revenue law placing the
customs tariff on protection basis.
The Republican candidate clearly re-
allzes the needs Of the situation. He
realizes the sources Of disQuiet that In
1888 plunged the country into an abyss
Of stagnation from which 1t has not
yet emerged, and he understands the
measures that must be taken for III
rescue.
Opposition to free silver Is q mega
tive position. 1t inv YES no remedial
action. There is no free 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 1898. So soon as 1t became known
that Grover Cleveland was elected and
that congress was Democratic In both
branches, then came q 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 competl-
ton with the products of European
cheap labor.
The depression began the day after
the votes were counted, and 1t had as
sumed colossal magnitude by the time
| Cleveland was inaugurated. 1t was
hardly to be expected that the presi'
dent should attribute 1t 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 Il
meet In special session to repeal 1t
The repeal did not help matters any
and the long discussion over the VII
son tariff brought business down u
the lowest notch.
One faction of the Democratic part!
proposes to cure the evils brought OF
the country through the election 0
Cleveland by the quack nostrum o
free silver. Another faction, composed
of able Democrats, insist that nothinl
Is needed but to continue things a
they are and crush the free silver agi
tation.
The Republicans agree with none o
these. Republicans believe that tn
experiment of free silver wouiu prih
no relief, but would on the contrary
introduce new element OF confuslo
and decentralization into the bushes
affairs Of the country. But they ais
realize that the do-nothing policy ad
vocated by the sound money Democrat
would not lift business out OF Tn
slough into which the Democratic tai
III legislation has plunged 1t.
The Republican party Is pledged
the maintenance Of the existing mon
tary standard until 1t can be safel
changed, but It is also pledged to a
immediate revision Of the tariff In IN
interest of the American producer an
the American people. On that Issue tn
Republican party will make an a.
gressive and winning fight until tf
polls close in November.-Colump'
10Y Journal