Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1900-11-01
THE issues OF THE CAMPAIGN
An Address by George Fred
Williams of Massachusetts.
WAS A MASTERLY ARGUMENT
Heard by a Large Gathering
of Democrats.


Rossell the Chairman of the Meeting.
Hon. George Fred Williams of Mas
sachusetts gave a mastery presentation
of the Democratic argument on issues
of the campaign before large and
attentive audience in the tent at Ninth
and Lombard streets Monday night. The
presiding officer was John S. Rossell,
who was introduced bySCounty Chair
mau Patrick Neary. Mr.. Rossell said
in part:
our government shall gbe of limited
delegated powers orb whether the
| powers in our possession shall be
lodged in the central government at
Washington. See to II that no cor
ruption of voters occurs.
Let it be a fair contest between
American freedmen so that whsn the
vote is counted it may DE known to be
the real result.
Mr.. Rossell said heybelieved Bryan
would be elected.
In presenting Nj. Williams, the
chairman said he waS one who was
noted for his determination in matters
involving the welfare ofShis fellow citi-
zens.
A hearty welcome was given him,
the hand clapping beina repeated. Mr..
Williams referred 'oIo Mr.. Rossell'H
introduction and said III was an error
to say that he had always been an up
holder nf the Democratic ticket, for he
had once or twice voted the Republican
ticket He recalled that once, while
at college, he met a Democratic leader
from Delaware who told him that the
difference between the Republican and
Democratic parties was this, that the
Republicans believe in liberal con-
struction of the Constitution, and the
Democrats in strict construction.
Continuing his speech, Mr.. Williams
discussed the difference between the
Federalist policy as laid down by
Hamilton and the Democratic policy
as laid down by Jefferson. Hamilton
held that the power should be in the
hands of tho few and had no faith or
belief in the Democracy, and il great
part of the present Republican leaders
were frank they would say they think
| that way.
Jefferson held that no one class Of
men should have any advantage over
| another class.
Hamilton advocated the protective
tariff and the national banking system
Of loaning money. In one campaign
the issue was Jackson On one side and
the banks on the other
The orator said the Republican party
had learned new plan and he turned
| to Hanna, who was unknown to most
people in 1895. He is the head of a
finn which controls the transportation
on the Great Lakes, and the Bessemer
ore beds of Michigan and Minnesota,
which are among the most valuable
gifts of God to this people. They sell
Bessemer ore in Cleveland at IS. so a
ton that can be laid down there at a
| profit at 81 ton. Hanna is also coal
owner and large employer of labor and
he gets labor as cheap as he can; and
it is currently reported that he got his
seat in the Senate by business methods.
Hanna's plan was to control the
elections of this people by the use of
an enormous corruption fund. He be-
lieved that the people Of this country
could be sold just as Bessemer ore is
sold and he could get a monopoly to
collect millions with which to corrupt
the elections Of this people. And he
did 1t in 1896, and today don't sup.
pose that honest Republicans would
seriously deny that if the election were
held without the use of money on either
| side the Democratic nomiuee would be
elected by an Overwhelming majority.
| Mr.. Williams said that those who
contributed 10 the fund were being
protected, such as the banks, the trusts
and The railroads. A law was passed
| placing the monetary system in the
control of the banks, SO that they have
| the power to ruin every business man.
Tho speaker held that to be one of the
most outrageous laws ever perpet etrated
on this people. The Standard Oil bank
in New York row has 500, 600, 600 to
$40. 600. 600 of the government money.
A letter from its vice-nresident 10
| Secretary Gage reminded him that
members of the board had great politi-
| cal influence in the previous campaign.
AS TO the trusts, Mr.. Williams held
that at the present price OF cents for
| sugar, the consumer pays 2 cents to
| the trusts, and thus contributes TO the
Republican campaign fund. Both Re.
| publicans and Democrats contribute
alike.
As to oil, the price Of 16 CENTS in
cludes, he claimed. s cents for the
Standard Oil trust, which also goes
| into the campaign fund. This com
| pany is criminal under United Statos
| laws. When Mckinley wanted an
attorney general he sought man who
was favorable to the trusts and he
| named Griggs, who said he had not
time to bother with the Standard Oil
Go. The effect of failure to prosecute
| it gives other capitalists the idea that
they may have tae same relief from
prosecution.
If the Democratic party is put into
power it will enforce the laws against
trusts. 1t is under no obligation to
the trusts. 1t makes one dismal to sit
around the Democratic headquarters
and hear them say how poor they we're,
not having enough money for the
legitimate expenses of the campaign.
The Democratic party is the poor mans
party.
The Republican party is given over
body. and soul to the capitalists.
What will happen 10 the business of
this country if Bryan is elected? The
bankers in Wall street can make a
panic If they want to. but they are
likely to give that cry every four years,
80 it might as well be faced sometime.
What will happen to prices? Every
trust article will fall in prica because
they will be afraid to face Doom
cratic administration if they keep up
their exactions.
Taking up the Porto Rican legis-
lation, Nh. Williams scored the Re-
publican party for the kind of govern
ment given the Porto Ricans in which
the President appoints the executive