The herald., 1898-10-16

eardless of party, and let Us discuss the
domestic issues to which the people have
now turned their minds. (Applause)
Barnes Platform Criticisms
The next three columns Of Gen. Barnes
opening speech are devoted to an essay ON
the South Sea Islands, apparently taken
very largely from the travels of Captain
Cook and the Cruise of the Challenger,
BASED upon those. at least doubtful
sources of information. the general tells
us that he is prepared to say now what are
tthe interests of our country In the mat
ter: that he has determined infalibly
where our country's interests lie. He
condemns the platform of the Democratic
marty of California on that question be-
cause 1t leaves the matter open to be do
termined when investigation shall put
rs in possession Of all the facts and of
all the conditions necessary to make an
intelligent determination Of the question
Let him not condemn the platform. Let
him remember, II he has forgotten II, or
learn it If he does not know it, that the
Democratic platform on that subject was
simply a tacit approval Of the course tak-
en- by the present Republican president
of the United States on that question.
(Applause.) 1 happened to be In Sacra-
mento at the time Of the drawing Of the
Democratic platform and the sub-com-
mittee having that matter in charge asked
my view concerning 1t.
I said then, and I say now, President
Mckinley took the only course that in my
opinion was possible to be taken safely
at the time; that we were almost abso-
lutely without information; that the in
formation we had was SO meager, so doubt
full as to its accuracy, that 1t would be
folly worse than folly. for the President
to attempt to take q definite and final
course without getting full information on
the subject. That was his decision, and
for that purpose he held those questions
open. I said then, as l say now that for
my part I would never consent to have q
Republican president or any other Re
publican officer criticised or condemned for
having done what would have done had
I been In his place. (Applause) Let the
general then contend with the president
Of the United States, his own president
perhaps not his own president. because
think he is representing an organized force
outside of the Republican party moro than
paign. (Applause.) So much for that
question.
The Funding Bill
On the Pacific railroad question Gen.
Barnes and the Republican party platform
both declare that the matter was settled
by the present congress at its last session.
The Republican platform declares that a
bill for the enforcement and collection Of
the debt was passed. I discussed that
matter somewhat though rather indefinite
ly here before. But I say now that the
bill passed Is not for the enforcement Of
the debt at all. 1t is merely a measure
delaying foreclosure for . year with view
to presenting proposition for settlement
to the Central Pacific Railroad company.
to Huntington and his associates. who are
or reject the proposition as they please.
That is not q bill for the settlement and
collection Of the debt. The Republican
platform evades that question entirely.
My distinguished opponent. commenting
upon my former speech here, made a very
serious accusation against me. He said
in this hall that was largely responsible
for the passage OF the bill of which I speak
He said in this presence that my reputa-
ton rested largely upon my ffght in con-
gress against the funding bill. He ex-
planned. and very properly that he had
never had an opportunity to vote against
the funding bill. but he said that when
that measure came up, II Judge Mcguire
had simply stood up in the house Of repre-
senta tives and said. "Mr. Chairman, I
object to the consideration Of that BILL" I,
never could have been considered He IL
geographically to that effect
and I understand that was his language
here. II that be true, then, displayed
either great ignorance of my duty in con-
gress or great carelessness In executing t.
II he is not right somebody has deceived
him into very unfortunate position, for
no man occupying his position should
make a charge Of that kind against his
opponent unless he Is very certain about
his facts.
Cages Bad Break
Now let us see. What was the PROPOSE
lion as 1t came to the house? The funding
measure had been incorporated by the sem
Ate In general deficiency bill and was a
part of that bill when 1t came back to the
house. His idea Is that If I had arisen In
he house and simply said: Mr. Chairman,
object to the consider alton Of that BILL"
t never could have been considered. The
deficiency bill Of which the funding mea-
sure had been made a part by the senate,
carried two hundred and twenty million
lollars appropriation for the support Of the
army and navy in the war with Spain, In
time of actual war. Now, his idea is that
f had arisen in my place and simply said,
Mr.. Chairman, I object to the considera-
hon of that BILL" that the other three hun
dred and fifty-nine representatives and
delegates In congress would have been
obliged to fold their hands, open their
mouths and look at each other in perfect
nelplessness and say: TOO bad, too bad,
the war with Spain must stop. We can't
make any appropriations for the army and
navy. We can't even appropriate money
enough for transports to take our soldiers
back from the positions of danger to
which we have sent them. because that
fellow from California, Mr.. Mcguire, OBJ
Iects." (Applause.) Now the house of rep
Is not such an imbecile body
IS that. Whatever may be said against 1t,
It is not a body of fools. It Is not helpless
IN such an emergency. If fifty, II a hum
tlred objections to the consideration of that