The Somerset reporter., 1897-06-17
To the Republicans of the Third
District.

DISLf1cIs
On Monday next, June 81, special
election will be held in the Third Con-
gressional District TO choose a successor
to the late Seth l.. Milliken. Ii ia OF
great importance that every Republican
voter in the district should be at the
polls and cast his vote on that date, not
only as duty to principle, but for the
moral effect an overwhelming Republi-
can victory in the district AT this time
will have upon popular sentiment
throughout the whole country.
Less than four months ago the Repub
lican party assumed control of the Ma
tional government, after four years OF
Democratic msrule. II found the coun-
try in deplorable condition. The mag
nificent prosperity it had enjoyed under
the Harrison administration, and the
operation Of wise protective system,
had vanished. Instead of paying its
running expenses and reducing the Ma
tional debt $50 DOC, 600 each year as had
been done under Republican rule, the
government, under Democratic rule, had
run in debt S262 ,000, 900 and Increased
the annual interest account more than
$40 900 900. Capital and enterprise be-
came alarmed and discouraged. Indus
try languished and labor went uuem-
ployed. The farmer no longer found a
prosperous aud profitable market for his
products. The blight of free trade rest
ed heavily upon all interests and all
classes. The Democratic party met,
less than a year ago, IN National Con-
vention at Chicago, Discarding the
tried aud trusted leaders of former years,
and turning their backs upon all former
professions OF political faith, a majority
OF the members OF that convention, uu-
der the leadership of such men "a Alt
geld of Chicago, and Tillmau Of South
Carolina, in spite Of the most vehement
protests OF the oldest aud ablest men of
their party, adopted a platform breath
ing the spirit of anal chv. -Four years
before these same men had proclaimed
free trade as the panacea for all political
ills. Now, surrounded by the visible
evidences of the widespread ruin and
misery occasiened by that policy. they
asserted, with ingenious Inconsistency
that it was the free and unlimited coin
age of silver at a ratio of lG to Just
twice its commercial value 10 the mar
kets of the world-that would open the
way to the promised land of plenty and
prosperity
This policy of free coinage was foisted
upon the Democratic National Conven-
ton, against the protestatiohs of its
eldest and ablest leaders, by the bonanza
mine owners of the silver producing
states, whose money was behind the
whole movement, and whose paid ennis
.,tin nI ha w a .
shallow and transparent scheme to
lich Fl ON the pockets of the American
masses, millions of dollars to be added
to the profits of the stockholders of
these mines, already immensely wealthy
through government favor.
In opposition to this crusade OF
the silver Plutocrats, the Republican
party took sharp and direct issue. 1t
declared in unequivocal terms that every
dollar of our currency should be worth
100 cents the world over; that our revenue
laws should be SO amended and revised
as to produce money enough to enable
the Government to pay its current ex
penses, and at the same time stimulate
enterprise, encourage capital, and protect
American labor. This was an issue that
appealed to the patriotism OF the whole
country, and thousands of men, who had
affiliated, in times past with the DemoC-
ratio party, placed the public veal above
former political prejudice, and voted the
Republica ticket. With the aid OF these
patriotic Democrats, the great preliminary
contest was won, and William Mckinley
elected to the Presidency. AS he came to
the executive Office and was confronted
by the Frustrated industries Of his country,
and saw the unemployed hands stretching
toward him from every section of the land,
he recognized the fact that the issue so
outlined in November was still unsettled
and must be fought over again before
relief and prosperity could come to a
suffering people. He at once called an
extra session of Congress. A bill design
ed to afford such relief and prosperity was
promptly prepared and passed by the Re-
publican majority of the House of Repre-
sentatives, and is now pending in the
United States Senate, delayed there by
the dilatory tactics of the Democratic and
Populist members of that body. In few
weeks it will come back to the House
again for final action.
1t is under such circumstances that the
voters of the Third Congressional District
of Maine are called to give expression of
their views at the polls. They should
speak with no uncertain sound. The Re-
publcans have nominated Ex-Governor
Bureigh, a true and tried leader, repre-
senting the interests of a sound currency,
and the protective system. Every voter
n the district, who is interested in the re-
turn of prosperity should be at the polls
on Monday and do his full share in roll
ing up for him majority of unprecedent-
ed size.
Let no believer in an honest currency,
and the great prosperity giving policy of
protection remain away from the polls
next Monday.
Turn out and see that your Republican
neighbors go with you.
With an energetic effort all along the
line, the clean and able candidate of the
Republican party will be sent to Wash
ington by a majority that will bring
courage and cheer to the friends of good
government, and the advocates of the re-
turn of prosperity, all over the country.
Let no Republican in the District fail
10 dohis full duty on election day.
J. w. BLACK,
p. o. VICKERY,
w. H. WILDEs,
{, H. DRUMMEY,