Democratic Sentinel, Volume 13, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 June 1889 — Senator Voorhees Speaks. [ARTICLE]

Senator Voorhees Speaks.

He Tells Why the Miners Are Now Suffering For Means of Subsistence.

Hot Springs, Ark., June 7, 'B9 The Hon. George A. Knight: My Dear Sir —It has been in my mind every day for a week past to write you in acknowledgement of your kind favor of May 30, and now, this morning, comes yours of tlie sth inst., and breaks the spell of lazy procrastination which usually prevails in this “Sleepy Hollow.” i thank you most sincerely lor your approval and words of good cheer.

1 had noticed, from republican papers findmg their wav here, that my little mite, bestowed upon men, women and children m want, had start d the Pharisees and hypocrites to snarling at me, but I have seen nothing as yet from Indiana. I learn, however, that the Journal at Indianapolis is howling like a wolf, and that p pers oi like politics and less note are joining in tne cry. lam giad ot it Their angry howls will only emphasize the already palpable fact that by pursuing a dishonest, inhuman, brutal and criminal policy in levying tariff taxation, the republican party has made itself responsible boima God and man for the penury, want and suffering now darkening the homes of thousands and tens of thousands of unemployed laborers throughout every state in the Union.

As to their personal abuse o£ me, I accept it as a compliment paid by oppressors of the poor to who has pricked their guilty consciences by a simple act of justice in contrast with their crimes. But instead of railing abuse, and !he resurrection of old decayed lies, would it not be better for them to attempt to answer me by contributing according to their meana, as I have according to mine, and also by ceasing to plunder, cheat, deceive, and swindle the laboring men and women, not only of Clay county, but of the whole eouujJ|y? Their promised tariff protemion does not protect the laborer, and well they know their falsehood when they tell him it does. The protection fastened on thi.s country by republican legislation protects the Carnegies and no other Kind. To them it gives sumptuous palaces for their homes, gilded yachts for their pleasure boats, and European tours, and presentations to royalty for tin ir pastimes. T - laborers it brings meager wages, long periods of enforced nllen as, scant clothing, and often empty plans on the table. This is the oue mighty question now before the American people, and involves all the ugly brood of monopolies and trusts as vrei" to. all the giant evils and corruptions of the m:*ney power in polities.— Nothing more dangerous ever threatened the liberties of any people in ancient or in modern tiroes than the money wrung from ] .bor bj a dishonest system of taxation, and then used by the million to corrupt, debauch and overthrow the governing power of popular majorities.* Unless the pruning knife of reform is freely used on the tariff and its kindred and consequent abuses, corruptions and oppressions, the American people may look forward to a dark and troubled future On this issue I take my stand as I have in the past, without fear or favor, by the cause of labor in whose ranks I was born, whose toils I have tasted, and the weight of whose burdens I know. lam aware that I am sometimes styled conservative on the subject of the tariff. It is true that I am, and always have been, conservative of the rights, the homes, the com' forts and the prosperity of those who live by daily toil, but as against their oppressors I am at all times and under all circumstances a radical for reform. Expecting to be at home next week and hoping to see you soon

I am, as ever, faithfully your

friend,

D. W. Voorhees.