Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1898-10-29
IT is MATCHLESS
Brilliant Record of McKinley's
administration.
GREAT IN PEACE AND WAR
Wise Craftsmanship, Sound Judgment
and Conservatism Displayed.
SENATOR ELKINg FINE ADDRESS.
GREAT IN PEACE AND WAR.
SENATOR ELKINg FINE ADDRESS.

In an Able Speech, West vireinia's Fa-
of Vital Interest to the American Peo-
pie and Explodes Democratic Theories,
Taliacies and Conten,ions-The Tariff
Foreign Trade. Money and Other Is
sues Discussed In an Intelligent Man
ner and Pithy Style.
The following Is the text Of the able
speech delivered by Senator s. B. FL
kins at Republican rally held at
Moorefeld, W. Va, on Tuesday, Oct
4. Every voter in the state should
read it and keep it for reference.
Mr.. Elkins spoke as follows:
Mr.. Chairman and Fellow-Citizens:
In political campaigns the people
are entitled to know definitely what
policies political parties, asking their
support, believe in and maintain.
The Democratic party has no well
defined principles 1t is willing to advo-
cate as united party in this CAM
paign. Democratic platforms differ
this year in different states. Some
states adopt the Chicago platform;
others refuse to mention 1t; some
favor the free and unlimited coinage
Of silver. and others repudiate this
doctrine; some favor holding the ter
ritory that came to us as the result
of the war with Spain, while a large
majority Of the party oppose this pol
ley as it opposed the annexation OF
Hawaii. A party without definite pol
icies could not administer the govern
ment. if it were possible for 1t to be
successful at the polls.
The Republican party being united
on all great questions, confident and
courageous, must succeed against q
divided party, drifting wherever the
winds Of mere opposition may drive 1t.
1t would be difficult to define the po-
sition of Democrat in this campaign.
beyond saying he is a Democrat and
opposed to the Republican party. In
one state Democrat may be for pro-
lection and sound money, in another
for free trade and free silver. While
the Democratic party makes no case
and presents no vital issue to the peo-
pie as a party, the Republican party,
united in its policies and purposes,
stands proudly by its cardinal and ira
ditional principles-protection to
American industries. sound money, the
maintenance of the public credit and
defense OF the national honor. Be-
cause Of the wide difference in the
Democratic party on national cues
tons, 1t would seem extended discus
sion in the present campaign is net
necessary.
Republicans Need No Defense.
The Republican party is not on the
defensive with its splendid record: It
needs no defense. The business and
financial condition of the country is
its best defense. Since it came into
power under President Mckinley we
have sound money, protection to
American industries, prosperity, wider
markets, employment for labor, unex-
ampled national credit and many other
blessings. Our Republican president
does not need defense. His matchless
record in his high Office is his defense;
his wise craftsmanship, sound judy
ment and conservative course In peace
cumstances, has made him the idol of
the nation. He is already regarded as
one OF the ablest statesmen Of the
century, not only in his own country,
but throughout the world. He has
dealt wisely and successfully with the
most difficult and complex questions
OF home and foreign policies; he is an
epoch-making president, and takes his
place with Lincoln and Grant. Bis
marck and Gladstone.
There has always been in society
and government opposition to the
forces that work for progress, devel-
opment. better government and larger
liberty. In this campaign the Demo-
cratic party voices this opposition.
There was time in its history when
the Democratic party stood for great
policies, something more than mere
opposition. While opposing the Re-
publican party, 1t proposes no plan or
policy by which things can be made
better.
Results of Republican Administrator,
President Mckinley was inaugurated
March 4, 1897. Owing to widespread
business depression, the disordered
condition Of the finances, the revenue
being insufficient to pay current ex-
penses, and the fact that a Democratic
president had to borrow money to
meet expenses by selling bonds, an
extra session. of congress was called
lowing tariff bill. protecting Ameri-
can industries, became law. Consid-
ering that the senate was not Repub-
lfcan, this was one of the greatest
achievements in history. No tariff bill
since the days of Washington was ever
passed in SO short time, and none
has ever produced better results.
What splendid procession of re-
suits in finance, agriculture, business.
trade, mining and manufacturing has
followed the election of Republican
president and the passage OF a proper
tariff bill
Protection to American industries
has been restored, and while protect
ing our home markets from the cheap
labor of foreign countries we have IN
vaded the markets of the world, and
during the last year sold $500, 000, 900
more products than we bought. What
does this mean? 1t means that we
have $600,000,000 more money from
other countries added to our wealth.
1t means that we have had the labor
and employment at home for our own
people necessary to manufacture and
grow. the products for which foreign
gold.
A sound currency has been secured
to the people, good the world over and
equal to the best money in the world
because the faith of the government
had been pledged to make all our cur
rency, paper and silver alike, equal to
and as good as gold; and the Repub-
iican party has kept this pledge. Am
pie revenue has been provided to pay
.-------------.>---------~A :
the current expenses of the govern.
menti the sale of government bonds
and increasing the interest bearing
debt Of the government to pay ex.
penses has been stopped.
Our Foreign Trade.
Foreign trade has increased until
1t is now the largest ever known in
our history. Last year 1t reached the
enormous sum of $500, 900, 900. Ex-
ports being about $1,260. 000,0 and
imports about $500, 000, 900 for the year.
August was the largest month ever
known in our foreign trade. Imports
are constantly decreasing. while ex-
ports are increasing; in other words,
we are buying less and selling more,
thereby making our country richer
every day. Imports this year will not
exceed $500, 900 900, showing q decrease
Of $50, 100000 over last year.
Cotton and provision exports have
increased. Last year we exported $780,
100000 pounds OF ham as against $685.
100000 pounds for the previous year 1;
SOC, DOC, 600 pounds of lard against $685.
100000 in 1897. Exports OF cheese have
increased about $1,000 600. The export
of cattle over imports shows a gain
OF &c, 600 head. Our export of corn was
S0Q, goo 600 bushels In 1898 as against