The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-10-18
). B. HILL SPEAKS
 IN INDIANAPOLIS . Is Given Ovation by an Im-
 ntRst Audience  TALKS ON THE PHILIPPINES | K B
Urges Voters to Support the ProposI- ton of Eieoting Senators By
 Direct Vote of the People.

Indianapolis, october 17--Ex-senatoi David B. Hill addressed a democratic mass meeting in Tomlinson hall tonight. The hall was crowded to its capacity. many being turned away. During the day MT. Hill received at his hotel a number of callers. with whom hs | discussed the political situation in In- diana.
 The speaker, accompanied by several prominent democrats. was escorted to the hall by an illuminated procession.
 MT. Hill among other things discussed the question of a reasonable revision of the present tariff rates. He contended that the stand pat policy of the republicans at the present time was in every way in- jurious to the best interests of the coun- try
 "They do not promise any revision or reduction whatever said he. but say that if any revision becomes desirable. 1t should be done by the friends of tariff benefciaries, and not otherwise. In other words, they have become so bold in de- fense of their ill-conceived coalition with private interests who are making money 1 out of tariff exactions while the people are becoming poorer, that they dare not promise that any time in the future they | will reduce the burdens of taxation.
 This attitude Is not a new one. 1t was only two years ago when General Gros- venor of Ohio. republican leader in the house of representatives, declared that schedules of the present tariff laws were as unchangeable as the Ten Command | 1,e x.Jaa x,,fot al mau of public sentiment soon thereafter com- pelled congress to abolish the duty on an- thracite coal That abolition was secured
 by democratic insistence in and out of congress, and every sane man knows 8tsks Obliged to Consent.
 "The republicans, while swearing never to consent to a change, then consented, not willingly not eagerly. not pleasantly. but were obliged to consent In deference to a public indignation which their pre- vious defiant attitude had justly created. The people of this country are indebted to the democratic party for securing an- thracite coal for their use, free from tar- fir exactions. What republican today dares to propose a re-imposition of that tax. The republicans this year have aban- doned the pretense that they only desired a tariff which should equal the difference between wages here and abroad, involved in the cost of production of manufactured 1 articles but have become bolder and in- creased their demands and now insist in their platform that the duty imposed must exceed the difference in the whole cost of production at home and abroad, and not merely the difference In wages, which is a new and radical departure from for mer platforms. It will necessarily stmu- l late the organization of new trusts and monopoles, whereby the people will be more greatly injured by a suppression of | legitimate competition"
 Talks of Philippine Question.
 MT. Hill also discussed the Philippine l question, alleging that the retention of the islands had already cost the govern ment over six hundred million of dollars since their annexation He said:
 ''The democratic party favors giving the Filipinos their independence as speed fly as possible and let them work out their own salvation in their own way. They are not adapted for our clviiza- | ton, and we have no use for subjects
 who are not. or cannot become fit for
 citizenship. Our republican friends are
 attempting to bunco the American peo-
 pie. They want to keep the islands Tn
 the interest of spectators, but they do
 not dare avow that purpose. They re-
 fuse to promise anything definite or eer-
 tain.
 "The presidents letter is silent as to
 their final disposition. So is their plat
 form. So are their campaign speakers.
 The democratic party is opposed to the | government of these people as colonies, and opposed 10 patterning after Great Brltain's treatment of islands and her | other dependencies Monarehial govern ments may need dependencies, but repub- | lies never.
 Election of U. S. Senators. of there were no o-Aer reasons for tha
 support of the democratic party this
 year, q sufficient one can be found in
 tbe fact that 1t Is virtually the only
 marty which advocates the adoption of an amendment to the federal constitution providing for the election of United states senators by the people instead of state | legislatures. This measure of constitu- tional reform has been much discussed; it has several times met the approval of | the house of representatives but unfor- l tunately has always met defeat in the senate. and now 1t i1as received the ap- proval of great political party which pledges It's influence towards securing It's l adoption.
 Among the good grounds for such step are:
 l '.1 It is that it would raise the stand- I ard of the men who would be sent to ths 1 senate from the various states.
 "2 It would prevent the scandals now 1 so frequently incident to the election Of | such senators by state legislatures. "3 It would remove one of the great 1 temptations for 'gerrymandering in the l apportionment of legislative representa- | lives by states.
 A. It would confer power upon the peo- | pie instead of taking 1t away-a result l always desirable of accomplishment when l it can be safely done.
 | 'If 1t be urger that corruption still | be available in elections by the people 1t may be answered that 1t would ordina- l rily be less effectual among large bodies | of electors than with limited number | of representatives.
 For Department of Labor
 ."rhe democratic national platform of | 1900 declared as follows:
 | Tn the interest of American labor l end tha i1nhuildnR of tha working men.