The Savannah morning news., 1904-11-05

yer Cleveland in this city tonight be-
gan his second speech of the present
campaign. He waited ten minutes for
the cessation Of the cheering and noise
that his appearance brought forth. and
for thirty-five minutes after he began
his address 5000 persons crowded to-
gether on the tan bark of a riding acad-
emy, alternately listened and cheered.
The occasion was the closing Demo-
cratic rally of the campaign, rally
under the auspices of a club of first
voters"
The meeting was scheduled for $3.50
o'clock, and the former President was
as o'clock crowds swarmed around
the building and extended across the
street, blocking the thoroughfare.
Upon MIR. Cleveland's appearance on
the platform cheer after cheer rolled
from one end of the armory to the
other. Men stood upon chairs twirling
hats upon canes. women waved hand
kechiefs and clapped their gloved fin
gers while occasionally, as though in
the distance, the strains OF a patriotic
air from the band could be heard.
For ten minutes the former Prosi-
dent stood bowling and smiling I'm ac-
acknowledgement and repeatedly attempt
ing to address the crowd Half way
quiet was then restored, and the speech
was begun, only to be interrupted by
another outburst that lasted for three
minutes more. IT was only when the
audience was drowned into silence by
the Kisses of those desirous OF having
the former President proceed, that MIR.
Cleveland could go on
Mr.. Cleveland's remarks upon the
needs of a conservative government
were received with an outburst almost
equal to that Mr.. CleVeland's entrance
into the hall, and when he concluded
with this appeal: That the American
people may be aroused to their sense
of justice by these sentiments" the
audience was on its feet. while at the
last words of the speaker rallying his
hearers to the support of that noble,
that manly standard bearer. Alton b..
Parker" the enthusiasm seemed to gain
renewed strength. Mr.. Cleveland's g
speech in full follows:
speech of Cleveland.
1t was twenty years ago almost to
day that l appeared before a New
ark audience charged with the respon-
sibility of my party's presidential
| candidacy. The Democratic platform
In that campaign denounced the Re-
publican party for having failed to re-
lieve the people from crushing war
taxes, and declared that unnecessary
taxation was unjust taxation. This
platform also promised that, II en-
trusted with the control of the gov
eminent, "the Democracy would pu-
rify the administration from corrup-
ton, restore economy, revive respect
for law, and revise the tariff In a
spirit of fairness to all interests"
1t was in support Of such plat
form and in obedience to the prompt
ings OF Democratic impulse that l
said on that occasion:
"The right of the government to ex-
act tribute from the citizens is linn
ited by it's actual necessities; and ev-
cry cent taken from the people beyond
that required for their protection by
the government is no better than rob-
berry"
An Example of TariG Reform.
We had then just been favored with
a demonstration of the manner IN
which the tariff was reformed by It's
friends. In 1882 tariff abuses had be-
come so apparent, and the amount ex-
acted from the people by taxation OF
imports was so much beyond any ne
cessity or justification, that the Re-
publican party In Congress, felt OBJ
iiRed to make q movement which would
at least appear to be In the direction
of reducing tariff rates. A commits
sion. In the absolute control of Repub-
lican protectionists. was thereupon
constituted to manage the affair.
Notwithstanding the manner I'm which
this commission WAS constituted, It's
members were constrained by fear or
shame. or bv both. 10 recommend
reduction in tariff rates of from 20 TO
25 per cent Thereupon. certain self
ish interests which had such coptrol
of the party in power that they had
become accustomed 10 demand ana re-
ceive from it's hands. the tremendous
nrofits arising from inordinate protec-
lion were aroused TO the most vicious
activity and made a demonstration OF
their control. alike humiliating TO
American patriotism, discrediting TO
our scheme Of popular rule. ana as
graceful to the party which surrender
ed to their dictation.
Recomme spurned.
The recommendation of the COM
nnisslon were spurned, and In the bill
finally passed It is computed that the
average rate of duty on imports was
actually increased, instead of being
diminished That the consumers Of the
lHn0 VINO tntn hHhtu AOi biEtd NNit
given a stone, Is proof OF the futility
of any hope for tariff reformation by
a party tied hand and foot IN the
bonds OF sOrdidness and reckless greed.
Upon the evidence supplied by this
incident, Il is incomprehensible that
the pretense should longer be toler-
ated that none can be trusted to just
ly relieve the people by tariff revision
except the friends Of radical protec-
tion.
II was under the operation Of this
disgraceful outcome OF delusive show
Of tariff reformation by It's friends that
the battle OF 1884 was fought. The av-
erage rate of duty on imports then
prevailing was something over 45 per
cent. and this rate the people by their
verdict at the polls condemned as un-
necessary and unjust. and denounced
It's exactions as no better than rob-
berry.
The Tnrin Of 20 Years Ago.
! have ventured 10 remind you OF
these incidents for an especial pur-
pose. / desire 20 direct your atten-
ton 10 the fact that IN the contest
Of twenty years ago the tariff then
existing was condemned because IN
and Of itself. without accomplices or
vicious Associates, n WAS guilty Of de-
spelling our people DOB their homes.
Trusts and combinations did not then
appear az its oonfederates. IL they