The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1908-04-09
CHAIRMAN OvERSTREET'S
SPEECH AT INDIANAPOLIS
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Congressman Overstreet. temporary
chairman of the Republican State con-
vention at Indianapolis. in addressing
the convention, spoke in part as fol-
lows:
Foe eleven years the Republican party
has held full control in the State of Indi-
ana, and in the Federal Government. No
period in the history of the country since
the first decade, excepting the period of
the civil War, has contained more inter-
esting, intricate and important problems
than the eleven-year period just closing. 1t
has been period of wonderful material
development; of new and perplexing poiit-
lcal problems; of relationship of the United
States to foreign governments. which
makes q new chapter in international af-
fairs Throughout this trying time old
problems have continued for considera ton.
while the policies upon which party con-
troll was secured in the campaign of 1896
nave been carried out. Throughout the time
each question has been met with candor
and openness of spirit. and courage and
determination of purpose, and the conf
dence OF solution which would meet the
approval of the people of the republic
which has ever characterized the course OF
tie Republican party since its organization.
The Republican Governors.
During this same period of Republican
control the affairs of the State of Indiana
have been conducted by three Governors
whose official records make a chapter for
our State no less ilustrious and honorable
than the corresponding claDter i'm Ma
tional affairs. These three Governors are
Mount, Durbin and Hanly. The first
Mount-came to the duties of his Office
fresh from an intimate and affectionate
relationship with the agricultural communi-
ties Of our State. with which for a number
of years he had been closely and fondiy re
lated His conduct of affairs was grounded
upon his devotion to duty and deep ambition
to elevate the State in all things which
mark the ambition of an honest man. The
d-Durbin-applied to the work of his
administration the lessons in the CONNER
cial and manufacturing world, and succeed
ed In conducting the affairs of the State
upon methods of business enterprise which
bring success in individual conduct in pri-
vate matters. Honorable. strai kltforward
and firm of purpose. he left reyrdNwhich
stamped upon the history of our State the
marks of successful and painstaking energy.
The third-Hanly-the chief elements CT
whose character are conscience and c0ur-
age, has discharged his duties with a dde,-
ity of purpose, a frmness OF conviction,
and the confident belief in the principle that
laws must either be enforced or repealed.
Under the administration of these three
Governors legislation has been enacted and
laws administered along uniform lines Of
business methods for the improvement OF
the conditions in the various counties of the
State, and for the advancement OF the va
rious State institutions to high plane of
equity and justice. The conduct of the sew
eral State institutions has reflected credit
upon the party which has been in control
during this period. The benevolent insti-
buttons are continued under nonpartisan
management. and for the sole purpose of the
1Aann hfnh hall H.
mates dependent upon such Institutions for
their home Laws have been enacted re
suting in much economy In the expenditures
of county and State funds. and in such
reduction of the State debt shall make IL
possible for its complete payment before the
end of the term of the Governor nomina ted
by this convention. notwithstanding the
improvements in the construction of new
homes for our dependents, and the repair Of
| others. approximately seven millions of dol
| lars have been paid upon the State debt
| end all this with total tax levy less than
| during the preceding period OF Democratic
| control In State affairs.
| This record. so briefly recited. gives as
| surance to the people of continuance OF
| like service. and equal fidelity, SO long as
| the Republican party may be Entrusted
| with control. Indiana has shared in the
| burdens of national control, and enjoyed
| throughout this period the fruits OF Re
| publican success. The States delegation
| in Congress-both Senators and. Representa-
| and rendered signal aid in governmental
affairs. When Mckinley assumed command
/ of the ship of state by the order of th'
| people in 1896, conditions In the business
world existed which all agree were mos
| deplorable. Confidence had been over
! thrown. public policies were in confusion
| business was paralyZed and idleness univer
sal. Such conditions had not happened
through accident Causes real and powerful
4 were responsible for them. The conditions
| which followed the election of McKiiale,
/ did not happen by accident. Causes eluaii
| real and powerful We're responsible for them
The conditions Immediately precedini
| 1897 were caused by the policies and prin
ciples advocated by the Democratic part.
| In unwise tariff legislation of the Fifty
| third Congress, the attack upon the stand
ard of value in the effort to establish tn
| free and unlimited coinage of silver. tn
| Remuneration of the principle of a protec
| tive policy. and the threat to weaken tn
Influence of the Federal judiciary, undoubt
eddy combined TO produce the hard time
| which preceded the year 1897. The restora
tlon Of the principle of protection. as EN-
| bodied in the Dingley tariff law, the enact
| ment of the gold standard legislation. an
the vote of confidence in and approval o
| che Federal judiciary. combined TO re-es
| tablish confidence In the commercial worll
| and restore activity in business which lie
| suited in the unprecedented and unparalleled
| prosperous times which followed the yea
| 1897.
The Two Parties md business.
Here were two distinct and completed,
| opposite policies of government; one wa
| destructive of both confidence and bust
| ness. the other the establishment o
both confidence and business. One es
| joused by the Democratic part.
and the other championed by tn
| Republican party One of these partie
| will control in the coming election and II
| its administration of affairs direct and guild
legislation. Which one shall be successful
| rests with the voters of the United State
and depends upon the care and intelligence
with which they exercise their right Of SUI
| frage Under Republican policies bushes