Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-10-27


dsy. Appleton bash III Fourth Street
a - church tonight. Subject "char-
acte{ Building
tho common people. The men who
dictated that plank recognized the ex-
istence OF strong sentiment in their
own party favorable to bi-metalism,
and they simply fooled these voters.
Not since the election, which resulted
In the success of the Republican ticket.
has there been an effort made to fulfill
the pledge made by the National Re-
publican platform. In fact, Capt.
Dovener and the other speakers who
are now on the hastings, do not openly
advocate the money of the constitution.
Mr.. Blair held up to ridicule the prom
tGe OF bi-metalism by International
agreement. He referred to a speech
by Senator Elkins, who endeavored to
make voters believe that the Republic
can party is still the friend of silver.
Mr.. Blair then read strong declara-
ton in favor of double monetary stand
ard, in speech made by Ex-senator
Henry G.. Davis, who is the father-in-
law of Senator Elkins.
The speaker showed the inconsist-
ency of the present Republican, posi-
ton On the money question, by quoting
extracts from speeches by James G.
Blaine, and other prominent leaders
Of the party, some of whom character
lied the characterization of silver as a
crime; all declaring boldly for the
money of the constitution, gold and
silver; and none limiting at the adj
visibility of securing the consent of
foreign nations before remonetizng
the white metal.
The promise to bring about bi-metal
ism, in the Republican platform, was
merely subterfuge, a trick This
point was aptly illustrated with a story
about a horse trade, which took i'm
mensely with the audience.
This promise is ON a parity with
others which were made two years
ago. If all those promises had been
kept, the speaker suggested resolving
the meeting into one of another kind,
for the adoption Of resolutions touch
ing the glorious prosperity in which
all are participants. He described. the
conditions existing in many of the
rural portions of the First Congress
SIGNAL district, where forced sales are
IL CQuOlII, duu dill IuS
are passing into the hands of receivers.
He told of one sale OF a tract Of land
worth easily $4,000 for half that sum.
Mr.. Blair said he favored the enact
ment of laws which would make the
occupation of the farmer at least fairly
successful The mill man and the agri-
culturists should stand side by side,
they should work together for their
mutual interests, for general prosper
ity.
Passing to a discussion of the recent
Spanish-American war, Mr.. Blair paid
high tribute to the patriotism and
bravery Of the American soldiers. They
responded promptly to the call to arms,
the soldiers Of the north and south
marching side by side, with the armies
of the east and west. Sectional lines
were entirely obliterated, Americans
proving themselves patriots all. The
speaker told of the achievements CT
the American soldiers and sailors, the
planting of the American flag in Cuba
Porto Rico, and the Philippines. He
had heard Capt. Devener proclaim that
wherever the American flag was plant
ed, there should the American govern
ment rule. Was not this contrary to
the Monroe doctrine? The speaker
thought it was. He was unalterably
opposed to the Republican idea of i'm
perialism.
Capt. Dovener charged that the Dem
ocratic party was the imperialist party
The speaker admitted with pride that
the Democratic party had acquired
Texas, and all the great northwest
but he called attention to the fact that
Democratic administrations had never
gone beyond the seas.
The speaker criticised Congress for
the acquisition Of Hawaii with its for
eign population, incapable of assimi-
latiCn, and pointed to the danger Of
competition between the Chinese labor
of Hawaii and the free labor of the
United States. He also referred to the
necessity for the maintenance OF a
large navy and standing army for the
protection Of the American interests
in the islands of the Atlantic and Pa
cific. He said, with reference to the
Philippines, that the Democratic party
favCrs dictation by this country as to
who shall rule the islands, and how
they shall be ruled; and favors the re
tention of one of the islands as a coal
ing and commercial station, but be-
yCnd that the party would not 60
The speaker criticised the operation Of
the war revenue tax, showing up it's
inequalities and injustice
In concluding Mr.. Blair said a few
words as to his own candidacy. He
| took for granted that his audience
knew the record Of his opponent, what
he had done, and what neglected. \ He
disclaimed any intention to indulge in
personalities, but took the position
that he had a right to discuss Capt
Dovener's public record. He read an
editorial from Republican paper pub
lished in Weston, giving reasons why
he should not be rer0min2ted fer a
third term.
Mr.. Blair then threw some light on
Capt. Dovener's record. He showed that
he was recorded net present at fifty
two roll calls in the last Congress. He
showed that when he did v3ie. it was
against the best interests of his con-
stituency. A bill was I'D for consider
alton under special order. granting fur
Their bOufties to the Pacific railroad.
Capt. Dovener is on record as voting
for this bill, giving the Pacific Company
SCI eco 000 more, in addition to over On )
hundred million already granted them
and not accounted for If his audience