Parties

Front matter

K "^ Problems and Leaders

AN IMPARTIAL PRESENTATION OF LIVING NATIONAL QUESTIONS,

embracing:

I

Trend of Political Sentiment — Earnestness of Voters — Solemnity of the Issues — Their Nearness to the Masses — Homes and Pockets Touched — Impotence of Mere Politicians — Sound Doctrines in Demand — Issues Make the Leaders — A Hard-working Campaign — Printing Press and Club Room — The Issue of Tariff — The Tariff Situation — View of Past Measures — Tariff Reform — The Wilson Bill — Trial in the Courts of Public Opinion — Financial Depression — A Square Test Required — Results of Recent Elections — Revolution of Parties — Silver and Gold Problem — • Rapid Growth of Silver Sentiment — Effect on Parties — A Battle Royal Anticipated — The Populist Attitude — Place of the Gold Men — Silver Legislation — Effects of Congressional Action — • Great Importance of the National Election to Parties and the Country— The Currency Problem — Attitude of Sound Money Democrats — Republican and Prohibition Bolters — Union of Populists and Democrats • ■ 23

II. Peksident Making Since 1788

Electoral Votes by States in 1892, 1888 and 1884— Popular Votes- Electoral College in all Presidential Years — Candidates and Parties — Disputed Elections — Effect of the Twelfth Amendment — Votes for Each Candidate — The Popular Vote — When the Popular Vote Began to be Counted — As Cast for Each Candidate — Valuable and Interesting Data 41

Cii)

III. Paeties Past and Peesent

Use of Political Parties — Necessary in a Republic — Views Respectiug Tliem — Faucilul Party Names — Origin of Whig, Tory, Locofoco, Etc. — Colonial Parties — Parties of the Revolution — Parties of the Confederation — Extinction of Whig and Tory Titles — Rise of Federalism — Principles of Federalism — Rise of the Old Republican Party — Its Leaders and Principles — Fall of the Federal Party — Triumph of the Republican Party — Its Division and Fall — How the Whig Party Rose— Rise of Democratic Party — Principles and Leaders of Each — Impress on Legislation — Decline of Whig Party — Its Legacy to the Nation — Slavery and Political Parties — Democratic Divisions — Free-soil Party — Rise of the New Republican Party — Its Principles, Leaders and Strength — Rise and Fall of Know-nothing Party — Its place in History — The Greenback Party — Revival of Democracy — Growth of Prohibition Party — Rise of Populism — The People's Party — Free Silver Party — Labor and Other Parties 49

IV

Definition of Free Trade — Principle of a Tariff — Early Free Traders — Tariff for Revenue — Tariff Reform — Politics Confuses Terms — The English Idea — Old and New Theories — Law as to Capital — As to Labor — Productiveness and Labor — Increased Price — Doctrine of "Laissez Faire " — Protection Iniquitous — Class Taxation — Diminished Labor — Wrong of the Custom House — Division of Labor — Aggregate of Labor — Diversified Industry — Produce for Produce — Value of Free Competition — Facility of Exchanges — Diminution of Labor — Capital and Employment — Independence of Foreigners — Free Trade in Politics — Tariff a Tax — Monopolies and Trusts — Views of Gladstone and Patrick Henry— Protection Invokes Wars — England Repudiated Her Own Protection Laws — Reaches Free Trade — Views of Wells, Taussig, Robert Peel, Jackson, Rowan, Dallas — Protection Leads to Smuggling — Comparison of Free Trade and Protection Eras- Views of Buchanan, Lloyd, Garfield — Smith — Free Trade Era of 1850 to 1860 one of Prosperity — General Principles . . . 105

Pkincipi-es of Protection.

Principle uot in Donbt— Practiced by all Nations— Necessary to Commercial Supremacy — For Industrial and Manufacturing Independence — Protection Unites Art and Nature — Protective and Revenue Tariffs— Revenue Duties Fall on Necessaries — Protective Duties Fall on Competitive Articles— Rate and Adjustment of Protective Duties — Prohibitory Rates— Essence of Labor in Products— Per Cent, of Labor — Application of Protection to Labor— Effect of Protection on Labor— Protection Does uot Increase Cost to Consumer — Competition Regulates Cost — Encouragement to Capital— To Invention — More and Better Goods — Tariff for Protection not a Tax— Producers Pay the Duty— Sentiment in Bradford— Opinions of List, Smith, Mill— Advantage of Protection to Agricultural Communities — "The American System" — Opinions of Washington, Madisou, Jefferson, Taussig — American Conditions — European Conditions — Protection Cures Monopoly — Gives Competing Power Abroad — Revenue Tariff a Tax— Doctrine of Natural Right— Duty of Development — Use of Natural Gifts— Our Own Economics — Absolute Cheapness not Desirable — Protection Does not Tend to Overproduction — Protection Since 1861 — Carey's Deductions — Uses to Farmers — Free "Raw Material " — Protection not for Privileged Classes — Does not Contribute to Great Fortunes — Nor to Trusts —Tends to Fairer Profits— Our Material Growth 126

VI. Silver and Gold

Importance of the Question, "What is Money ?" — Kinds of Money — Money Values — Money Systems — American Coinage — First Coinage Act — Gold and Silver Values — Reasons for a Change— Coinage Act of 1834 — Mistaken Ratios — Silver Monometalized — " Gresham's Law "— " Mint Act " of 1837— Coinage Act of 1849 — Effects of the Discovery of Gold — Alarm of the Commercial World— Our "Legal Tender Acts "—Resumption of the Coinage Act of 1873— Silver Demonetized— The "Trade Dollar" of 1876— Extent of Coinage to 1878— Coinage Act of 1878— Free and Unlimited Coinage System— Restoration of the Silver Dollar—Coinage Act of 1890— What it Did— The Proposed Free Coinage Act of 1892— What it Sought Compared with Other Acts — Repeal of Purchasing Clause in Sherman Act— Rapid Growth of Free Silver Coinage Sentiment — How it Affected Parties and Legislation— Place in Party Platforms— Effects Upon Finance and Business— Silver and the Campaign of 1896 —Opinions of Party Leaders 154

VII,

HiSTOEY OF American Tariffs.

English Colonial System— The Confederation and Free Trade— The Constitution and Imposts— Tariff Act of 1789— Protective Era —Embargo and Tariff of 1812— High Protective Era— Act of 1816— Disasters of 1817-19— Act of 1824 and the "American System "—Attitude of Parties— Act of 1828— Hostility to It and Compromise Act of 1833— Nullification— Panic of 1837— Protective Rates of 1842— Repealing Act of 1846— Effect of Mexican War, Discovery of (!old, Foreign Wars and Famines— Tariff Act of 1857— Panic of 1857— Protective Act of 1861— Effect of Civil War— Panic of 1873 and Act of 1874— The Tariff Commission and Tariff of 1883— The Morrison Bill— Tlie Mills Bill- Tariff Act of 1890— Policy of Reciprocity— Tariff Legislation in 1892— Doctrine of Tariff Reform— The Wilson Tariff Act of 1894 — Reduction of Duties— Destruction of Reciprocity — Failure of its lucome Feature— A Deficit of Income- Panic and Industrial Depression— The Dingley Relief Measure of 1896— Tariff Sentiment Abroad— Lord Salisbury's Views— Protective Legislation, 207

VIII. American Reciprocity

General View of Reciprocity- Commercial Treaties— " Most Favored Nation" Clause— Reciprocity and the American Republics- Modern Commercial Era- Escape from European Dominion— The "Monroe Doctrine "—Prophecy of John Adams— The International Conference— Report on Reciprocity— Blaine's Review and Recommendation— Reciprocity and Tariff Act of 1890 —Second Stage of Reciprocity— Acceptance by Foreign Nations

—Effect upon Commercial Relations— General View of its Operations—Repeal of Reciprocity by Wilson Tariff Act— Effect of Repeal — Discrimination by Foreign Nations 300

IX. The Moneoe Docteine. i

I

The Venezuelan Boundary Dispute— England's Attitude— Position of the United States— Arbitration Proposed, and Monroe Doctrine Explained- England Denies the Doctrine and Refuses to Arbitrate— Olney's State Paper— The President's Bold Message -Response of the Congress— The Venezuelan Commission- American War Sentiment— A Firm Foreign Policy Demanded- Change in English Sentiment— Historic Review of Monroe Doctrine— The Holy Alliance— Attitude of Allied Monarchs Toward America— England's Proposition to America— Rush's First Announcement of the Doctrine- Consideration by American Statesmen— Formulated and Announced by President Monroe—Supported by Adams, Clay, Webster and Other Statesmen —Various Announcements by Presidents and Secretaries of State — An Enduring Principle of Our Unwritten Law— How it is Applicable to the Venezuelan Question 366

X. Our Cuban Relations

Spain and Cuba— History of Cuban Insurrections— Spanish Attitude Toward the Island— The Last Uprising— Review of Insurgent Work— Victories Afield—Institution of a Government— Demand for Belligerent Rights by the United States— Resolutions by Congress— Attitude of President Cleveland— Should Onr Foreign Relations Change as to Spain and Cuba— Sentiment of Statesmen and Publicists — Reasons For and Against a Grant of Belligerent Rights— Execution of Neutrality Laws- How Our Nation is Affected— American Interests in Cuba- Appeal of Patriotism and Humanity— Extent of American Sympathy ..,<..... • • • • • • j ^^^

XI

Parentage and Birth — Eaily Life and Education — Characteristics of Youth — Career as a Soldier — Promotions in Service — A Law Student — Admission to Bar — Success in Practice — Orator and 1 Debater — District Attorney — In Public Life- -Rapid Else in Statesmanship — "The Apostle of Protection" — Brilliant Speeches — Father of the "McKinley Bill" — As Governor of Ohio for Two Terms — His Tremendous Majorities — Pojiularity ■with the People — Family and Home Life — Personal Traits — The Popular Uprising — Strength in Republican Convention — Nomination for the Presidency — The Home Ovations and Speech of Acceptance — National Congratulations , . . . 435

XII

Life of Garret A. Hobart.

Birth and Education — As a Lawyer — Rise to Public Station — Positions of Civic Trust — In State Assembly — Meml)er of State Committee — Powerful Political Worker — Personal Characteristics — Home and Social Position — Nomination for Vice-President Ovations and Acceptance , 483

XIV. Life of William Jennings Bryan

Parentage and Birth— Common School Education— Farm Residence — At College— An Oratorical Student — Graduation with Honors — In the Law School — Admission to the Bar — In Practice at Salem — His JMarriage — Removal to Lincoln, Nebraska — Law

Firm of Talbot and Bryan— Success as a Lawyer— Fame as a Political Speaker— Election to 52d Congress— Kemarkable Tariff Speech — Universal Congratulations- -Election to 53d Congress— Champion of Free Silver Coinage— Senatorial Aspirations—Personal Appearance — Leading Traits of Character — Their "Washington Life — Wife's Appearance and Characteristics —Home Life— Powers as an Orator— A Leader in the Chicago Convention— His Magncitic Speech— Convention Acclaim— His Nomination for President— His Notification and Ovation- Triumphant Homeward Journey 510

XV. Life of Arthtjb Sewall

Parentage and Birth— Early Education— In the Calling of Shipbuilder—A Practical Workman— Entry into the Shipbuilding Firm— Large Vessel Builder and Owner— Devotion to Cause of Merchant Marine— A Railway President ard Manager— Bank President— Promoter and Manager of Industrial Enterprises- Personalism and Social Life— His Wife, Children and Home- Nomination as Vice-President— A Logical Selection— Reception of Nomination — Home Ovation 555

The National Party and Platform of 1896. Origin — Appeal to the People — Platform 584

XX

Life of Charles E. Bentley.

Parentage and Birth — Early Life and Education — Marriage — Public Services— Farmer — Philanthropist — Joined Prohibition Party — Member of National Prohibition Committee — Advocate of Woman Suffrage — Preacher — Personal Appearance — Orator — Natural Leader . 590

People's Party Platform foe 1896. , 599

XXIV

Life of Thomas E. Watson.

Birth — Education — Admission to the Bar — Enters the Political Arena — Elected to Congress as a Democrat — Nominee of People's Party for Congress — Charges against Members of the House — Wonderful Oratorical Powers • 607