Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1904-10-14

1860. '
That there is q necessity for q revision OF
the tariff is apparent. Will the people con-
tinue 10 allow American manufacturing com
bines 10 collect from the American people,
who buy the bulk OF their products, prices
varying from 20 to 40 per cent. higher than
the goods are sold for in EnglandI
This is q rank injustice, and it is so felt
even by the rank and file OF the Republican
party.
The tariff as it stands now Is especially
obnoxious TO the people.
The truth is that the present tariff law was
framed by selfish interests, that swarmed at
Washington, and while the law bears the
name Of Mr.. Dingley it was drafted by the
Iron Masters Of Pennsylvania and the Mill
Owners Of New England. 1t has developed
sources OF rapacity even beyond the dreams
OF its designers. Even the outlying posses.
sions OF Porto Rico and the Philippine
Islands must contribute 10 it rapacious NAV
II the farmers, whom protection does not
protect, and the wage earners, whom the
present tariff has driven into more and great.
er strikes than ever before, are interested in
revision Of the tariff, what class then can
go to the polls next November with any en-.
thusasm for the Republican nominees
Tariff revision then is q crying need.
The prices OF necessares of life have In.
creased and wages have decreased. In cases
where wages have been slightly raised they
have not kept pace with the cost OF living.
The claim that the present tariff of high
protection does not raise prices is as absurd
as 10 say circle Is square. II Is equally as
absurd TO expect the Republican party TO re-
wise the tariff schedules, for we might as
well look for q highwayman to voluntarily
return his stolen plumber.
The one act that would have relieved the
situation caused by this high protection was
the establishment of Reciprocity treaties.
This the Republican party, with all the ma
chinery In its power, has steadily refused TO
do. This, the one act they were pledged TO
do at the passage of the Dingley Act, they
have persstently refused TO do.
How long can we conduct the affairs of
this Government under the present policies
Of the Republican partyp With the waste,
extravagance and corruption In Office of that
party from long possession of Governmental
machinery, and deficit OF fifty millions or
more In the Treasury, how long ii may be a
pertinent question, can this condition con.
tinue without the necessity OF an increase in
taxation or q bond issue?
The Republican party Is fast becoming q
party Of wealthy individuals; people who
need projection and are willing to pay for
1t are largely within that party.
The money question take TO be settled 90
far as this campaign is concerned though
we hear mutterings OF regret from the Re.
publicans from their having TO let go thai
morsel of campaign thunder to startle the
monied interests.
/ believe the continuing departure of the
Republican party and Executive from ouI
written Constitution most serious menace
TO the continuance OF our Constitutional
form Of government. l cannot believe that
our people favor any such radical departures
| from that written instrument as will permit
the requirement and holding of colonial de.
tendencies. believe that we should hold
out TO such people the definite promise OF
Independence when they show capacity to
govern themselves. That there can be no
doubt they want independence, the Philip
pine guests of the Nation, who lately visited
these shores, can testify, as they have al
ready done since returning to their Shores
favor this not so much for the Filipino as
TO preserve our own integrity and our own
institutions.
favor liberal pensions to all the Union
soldiers as matter of simple justice to
them.
But most serious proposition confronts
the people OF Maryland, especially the PEG,
| pie of this Congressional District Last fall
we waged successful campaign through.
out this great State upon the issue of White
Supremacy. To day the Sixth Congress.
sional District, with the negro vote elimi-
mated, stands out boldly Democratic. The
great mass OF the white voters OF this District
are Democratic The Republican party in
its platform openly bids for this vote by in.
serting plank IN its platform as follows:
I'VE favor such Congressional action as
shall determln me whether by special discrimi
nation the elective franchise in any State
has been unconstitutiOnally limited, and il
such Is the case, we demand that represen
tation In Congress and in the electoral coll
lege shall be proportionally reduced as d.
rected by the Constitution of the United
States"
In other words, the Republican party pro.
poses TO decide through bipartisan board
that certain State laws regulating the cleo.
| tive franchise In those States are uuconsti-
tutional acts, although the highest judicial
tribunal OF the United States has time and
again held them not to be unconstitutional
A more iniquitous measure has not been
proposed by that party since the infamous
Force Bill was so emphaticaly defeated.
Western Maryland 10 well noted for its
horticultural productions and its mineral
output, aud its growing importance com.
merclally demands not only vigorous rep.
resentative, but always representative,
What position does Mr.. Pearre assume
upon this momentous question: He was
against the Investigation of the Postoffice
frauds aud so voted March II, 1904, but
can he endorse the above plank OF his party,
II 30 with our election laws In force in this
State and now on the statute books will he
demand that the representation IN this State
be reduced In Congress and the electoral
college on account OF restrictions placed up.
on the negro voter II 30 Maryland may
have only four representatives, Congress
instead OF six as now.
II behooves all the voters, Irrespective
OF party affiliations, to consider the present
situation calmly, earnestly and intellgently
and To have heart 10 heart talk with them
selves aud ask themselves which horn of the
dil' NINA they will preierf
In conclusion, desire TO say not having
sought this nomination at the hands of nv
party realize the high honor bestowed up
on me as the representative OF the great
white majority OF the electorate OF the Sixth
Congressional District and having had leg.
islative experience In our State Legislature
and service upon the most important CON-
mittees there, namely, The Judiciary, Cor.
porations, Constitutional Amendments, In.
solvency, Engrossed Bills, aud being Chair.
man Of the Judiciary, pledge myself To give
my best efforts 10 the foil service Of my
whole district aud TO all OF the people IRE
spective OF party affiliations and solicit the
active, earnest support OF my own party and
OF ell Republicans who are dissatisfied with
the existing conditions and who believe
through the maintenance OF White Suprem
acy 10 preserving our iull representa-
not only In the Congress OF the United
States. but in the Electoral College.
Very respectfully,
WALTER A. JOHNSTON