The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1901-08-14

can prove to the people that the demo
cratic party is free trade party. It
has opposed a tariff for protection
only, but as early as 1897 we had a
protective tariff and we have never in
the one hundred and four years since
known free trade. General Hancock,
the party nominee for president in
1880, regarded the tariff as local
question. Samuel j. Randall, for
years the party leader and speaker of
the house, was protectionlst. In ev-
cry congress where the question has
been presented numbers of democrats
have voted against and helped to XII
free trade. I have contended that
Southern products should be put on
equality with others, and in 1897 l
fought to have rice, pine lumber ard
cotton protected. The cry of "Repuo-
lican'' was raised against me then,
but the people, before whom the issue
was squarly put, endorsed me by an
overwhelming vote. Are you now un-
dertaking to reverse that verdict9
I have favored ship subsidies. It is
a great question and one, [ submit,
on which the people of this State are
competent to pass after hearing full
argument The subject has never been
discussed before them although it is Of
vast importance to the prosperity of
this State. The purpose of the sub
sidy is to develop the building and
operation of great fleets of American
ships. It touches the interest of our
sea ports, of our lumber industries, of
all our manufacturing enterprises and
our great agricultural products. It is
a question on which some of the ablest
democrats of the house and senate are
divided. I most humbly submit that
it is not in order for twenty-one mem
bers of our committee to rule that
the democratic masses of South Caro-
! lima shall not at their campaign meet
ings heacr this matter of vital interest
to them discussed; and that the peo-
pie of the sea coast cities, who would
| like to see new tides of commerce
!, brought to their harbors and the lum-
bermen and owners of forest lands who
would be glad to sell material for
more ships, are to be thrown neck and
heels out of the party because they
favor ship subsidies. Senators Carlisle.
Pugh and Morgan voted for subsidy
bill which has been in force ten years
and which has hepled our Brazilian
trade, in measure at least. Are
they not democrats. according to the
decision of Senator Tillman and your
committee?
believe that it is our duty to de-
velop the new territory, which has
come into cur possession along COM
mercial and industrial lines, to civilize
them, and make them the equal of our
own States in material prosperity.
Sentor Tillman would leave them,
after we have deprived them of the
protection of Spain to a hopeless
struggle as an Independent nation
without resources or self protection.
Fortunately for US the records show
that in building them up, we are go
ing to benefit our own country. [
want to give that territory the best
form of government in the world, he
does not want to give it any form of
government at all. He says free
silver or bust. I say the American
people hve settled that question at the
| ballot box.
I am for sound currency and constant
employment for all who desire work at
remunerative wages. This we cannot
have without an outlet for our surplus
products on equal terms with all of
our competitors in the markets of the
world. Do you think the energetic,
live, progressive young business man
of the South, will long permit the ca
balls of few scheming politicians to
stand between him and the attainment
of these glorious ends? If this is not
democrcy, then gentlemen, invite
you to Join hands with me in making
it so.
These are the leading questions on
which I understand my democracy and
loyalty have been assailed. The records
give me little light as to what further
ground there may be for your action.
Allow me to summarize them briefly.
In the first session of the 55th con-
gress Senator Tillman and myself vot-
ed together in 14S of 150 yea and nay
votes.
I voted against him for protection to
the farmers on an amendment to the
tariff bill, proposed by Senator Jones,
of Arkanss, present chairman of the
democratic executive committee. Pos
sibly you may reconvene your commit
tee and read him out of the party. [
voted with Jones. Vest, Bacon, Bate,
Berry, Daniel, Mills, Morgan and all
the other democrats, except Senators
Tillman and McEnery who voted with
the republicans. It was straight
party vote. On another amendment to
the same bill | voted with the demo
Gratis. Senator Tillman was the one
democrat voting with the republicans.
See Congressional Record, vol. 80,
page 1877.
In the second session of the same
congress Senator Tillman and myself
voted together on 50 of 95 roll calls.
One vote on which We differed was on
motion to adjourn intended to defeat
q resolution calling upon the Presi-
dent to intervene in Cuba. Senator
Tillman voted with the Republicans
to adjourn and the motion prevailed
by one vote voted with the Demo
Gratis. The other votes on which we
I;Foro6 Uaro npimDortant and