Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-10-27
SPEECH BY MONTAGUE
HE ADDRESSES MANCHESTER DEM
OCRATs ON CAMPAIGNS ISSUES.
ON STATE And NATIONAL AFFAIRS.
Both Are Discussed with vigor md
CIenrness-RepubIic Arrafgned
InconsIstencies-Ou Bright.


liyering a most instructive address TO
a large and intelligent gathering of cleo
tors of that city. Mr.. Montague spoke
for about an hour, during which time he
vigorously attacked the enemies of
Democracy, and dealt telling blows to the
present administration.
The meeting was held in the Grays'
Armory, which was well filled with inter-
ested voters, notwithstanding the extreme
inclemency of the weather. and the ut
terances of the distinguished speaker
were given the most careful attention.
Mr.. Lawrence Pool, chairman Of the
Manchester City Democratic Committee,
called the meeting to order, and after an
overture by the band, introduced Hon.
John Lamb, who. in a brief but pointed
address. presented Mr.. Montague who,
the congressman said, was to give the
citizens of Manchester an intellectual
treat.
MR. MONTAGUES SPEECH.
Mr.. Montague was received with ap-
plause when he stepped TO the front of
ing his auditors, he plunged directly into
his speech. briefly discussing State issues
and then plunging into national ques-
tions. He paid a high tribute to Vir-
ginia and yirginians, and to the liberal
and free government of this old Common
wealth. State government, he said, was
the buwark Of home protection, and ne
besought his hearers to entrust that gov
ernment TO the party which was going to
best guard and protect the home.
Mr.. Montague did not speak loudly; he
dld not attempt oratory. He delivered
strictly an argumentum ad hominem.
appearing TO single out each man before
him. and to talk directly to him. He
held up to view the evil of illiterate suf-
frage, and advocated liberal public
school system. holding that through our
public schools alone could our voters be
educated. The fact that the public
school appropriation had been increa sed
over SOOOOO under a Democratic admins
tration was emphasized, and was used as
an argument against the Republican claim
that taxes were heavier under Democratic
rule than under Republican.
A JUST JUDICIARY.
The dependence of our judiciary upon
our Legislature was touched upon, and 1t
was shown by the speaker that justice
had been dispensed in a mbre equitable
manner under Democratic rule than by
the Republicans The honesty of Demo-
cratic office-holders was commended ana
the necessity for better country roads
was presented for consideration.
Delving into national affairs, Mr. Mon
tague referred TO Mr.. Bryan's celebrated
Chicago speech, and quoted his words
concerning the necessity for protecting
our agriculturists. He also made a few
pertinent remarks concerning the alleged
prosperity which is said to be in our
midst. He did not wish to be considered
as an alarmist. but asserted most posi-
lively that he had not seen any or 1t as
yet in his travels through Virginia Bad
roads, he said, were the greatest OBJ
stacles in the way of Virgimas pros
perity, as produce could not be marketed
on account of the mud which blocked the
way. He earnestly besought his hearers
TO elect men to the Legislature who
would vote to improve the roads OF the
State, and frankly asserted that these
improvements could not be made with
out an increase of taxation, unless ex-
penditures in other directions were very
materially reduced.
SHRINKAGE IN VALUES.
Attention was called to the shrinkage
in value of property in Virginia, and
the Republican party was called upon
to show why their promise of last fall
that this shrinkage would be ended and
changed into an increase had not been
fulfilled. Other broken promises of Nc
Kinley, Hanna & Co. were told Of and
the tariff bill drawn by Mr.. Dingley and
enacted into "A law by Speaker Reed
was riddled and derided. This bill, Mr..
Montague said. was a perversion of the
Constitution, In that it gives special
privileges to those who can get them and
equal and exact justice to none. The bill,
he said, is robbery under the form
of law, and though ii purports to be a
benefacton to the public, il is, in reality,
a bill imposing a tax upon the consumers.
All Republican legislation, he asserted.
has been in behalf Of the man who could
best do without It, and against those
who most needed legislation.
a BURNING QUESTION.
The burning question of American
citizenship and perpetuity, Mr.. Monta-
cue asserted, was the upho,ding Of prices.
Falling prices kill business, he said, and
the great trouble arises from the failure
in demand. The evil does not arise from
overproduction; it comes from a de-
creased circulation of money. Depre
ciated currency was touched upon and
extracts were read from the report OF the
Royal Commission OF Great Britain,
showing that those gentlemen had as
serted il as their belief that the troubles
which existed in this country were the
result of the monetary change of 1873.
The laws of value were touched upon
bv the speaker. and some exceedingly
pungent arguments were advanced %
show that demand alone makes value,
and whether on silver or gold, the stamp
of a solvent government makes money
equal to value.
Touching upon the evils Of politics,
Mr.. Montague paid his respects to the
money power which. he said, was domi-
mating our government, and which die
tated the present tariff law.
WHY CUBA ISN'T AIDED.
The brutality and atrocity OF Spanish
soldiery in Cuba was held up by the
sneaker. and he asserted. indirectly, that
The failure of this government to step In
and put a stop to these atrocities was
iue to the influence of the money power.
who feared that 10 cause Spain anger
would to some extent depreciate the value
,f their securities. Mr.. Montague spent
some little time In discussion or the
of the Republican party,
md concluded with an eloquent defence
II the Democratic party against Repub-
ican Misrepresentation, and an appeal
'or proper exercise Of suffrage on next
Tuesday. asking the voters present to
not content themselves with voting them
selves. but to see to IT that their friends |
md neighbors did likewise.
Mr.. Montague was cheered loudly when |
ne took his seat, and the meeting ad-
burned.
Mr.. Montague ON the Situation.