The Oskaloosa herald., 1902-10-02
in BOYHOOD HAUNTS.
Major Lacey Opens Campaign at
Bethel Church.

speech IN the SlAbu ulSIIASI 01luhhny3
afternoon at his old stamping grounds
in Jefferson township, where as boy
he plowed corn and dug potatoes. The
meeting ives held in Bethel church
and was well attended despite the fact
that the roads were almost impossible
and the weather anything but inspir-
ing. Geo. w. Neyins was chairman Of
the meeting which resembled more a.
family reunion than political gather
ing. Old Jefferson is proud OF her son
and Mr.. Lacey entertains the fondest
memories of his boyhood home. The
following is verbatim report Of
Mr.. Lacey's Speech.
have been invited by some of my
old friends and neighbors to open the.
campaign in the Sixth Iowa district by
holding the first meeting in he town
ship of Jefferson where I lived many
years ago. The good neighborship Of.
the old time still prevails. and all
ways feel at home in his locality.
Many of the old faces have passed
away and another generation has come
on. In this gathering are men of all,
political parties. We give one another
credit to admit that our ultimate pur-
poses are the same; that all desire
what is best tor our common country,
but there is a difference of opinion as
to the means best adapted to the adj
vancement of the American people
have been discussing political ques-
lions among you for many years.
When, in 1888, first ran for congress
took a pronounced position in favor.
of the protection of American indus
tries. Since that time we have had
considerable actual experience, and it
is less necessary for me to discuss the
causes which produce results when We
can appeal to recent history.
The Tariff.
s. | have served in congress now for
twelve years, and during that time !
have witnessed three revisions of our
tariff Two of these revisions were
upon protective lines, he Mckinley
law and the Dingley law; but between
those two laws stands the gloomy per-
iod in which the Wilson act hung as
blight over the prosperity Of the
United States of America. | have in
many previous speeches tried to show
why the protective system was good
for our country. In the light of such
recent experience it seems to me that
could appeal to their reason and mem
DRY of all here present. In 1888 it be-
came necessary to change the tariff in
order to reduce the revenue, the.
amount being in excess of our neces-
sary expenditures. General Harrison
was elected president and the laws.
were revised py the lamented McKintS
ley. A storm of obloquy was at once
heaped upon his head. The law was de-
nounced in the most bitter terms, and
although that law brought us prosper
ity, yet in 1892 a revulsion of public
sentiment placed in power a party
pledged to a revision of the tariff with
the protection idea eliminated. Our
opponents were put in power and the
Wilson law was enacted. 1t is only.
five years since the disastrous effects,
of that law began to die away. In 1896
when Mckinley was elected, the re-
publican party at st. Louis adopted a
platform declaring in favor of revising
the Wilson law along protective lines.
At the close or the declaration this
statement is made almost in the lang
uage of the present Iowa platform. 4,
1--WE are not pledged to any particu-
nf
is a practical question to be governed
by the conditions of time and OF pros
duction; the ruling and uncompromis-
ing principle is the protection and de-
velopment of American labor and in
dustry."
And then, IN order to assure the
country that the prosperity which the
republican party believed would come
would not be disturbed for light ana
transient causes, that section OF the
platform concludes with this langu:
age: st.. i
"The country demands right set
tlement and then it wants rest. "~.
That platform declared also for reel
procity as did the platform OF 1900,
and the house of representatives pass
ed a reciprocity law with Cuba and
sent it to the senate for their action,
a law which / believe would give pros
perity to Cuba without harming any
industry what ever in our own counr
try. Some of the schedules OF the
Dingley tariff law were placed some
what higher that it was belived would
be absolutely necessary with a view
to reduce the same by treaties OF reef
procity. The policy was expressly
provided for in the law and believe
will meet the cordial approval of the
republican party and Of the people.
Whilst tariff schedules are not in any
wise sacred, nor are they to be held
Interchangeable, yet they should never
be disturbed for light reasons, because
tariff agitation always unsettles the
business of the country Under the
Dingley law our balance of trade has
been S2,640, $685. 94 in five years time;
the entire previous balance of trade
Of the United States from the founda-
tion of our government to the inaug-