People's Pilot, Volume 4, Number 14, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 September 1894 — Smiley N. Chambers and the Tariff. [ARTICLE]

Smiley N. Chambers and the Tariff.

The Republican opening of the campaign in Jasper county, at the court house, last Friday, was very tame to say the best of it. As usual, the speaker labored long and tediously throughout his whole address with the tariff. In trying to explain away the remarkable prosperity of the country in 1846 under a low tariff, he made an excellent Populist argument, stating that the great business activity of that period was caused by a large increase in the circulation of the country. That’s right, Mr. Chambers, it always has that effect. But he claimed the panic of ’56 and also of ’93 were caused by a low tariff, although every one of his hearers knew that the McKinley law was operative until about three weeks ago and that within the last threee weeks prices have been improving all along the line. But the strangest thing ot all was that in his history of panics he never even so much as mentioned the panic of 73, by far the most disastrous this country has ever suffered. Why did you not explain the cause of it, Bro. Chambers? Because it would upset your tariff argument? This panic occurred under Republican rule and a Republican tariff, yet it wrecked the business interests of this country like an earthquake. The plain, unvarnished truth of the matter is that an abundant currency in the channels of trade makes times prosperous, gives employment to labor, keeps the shop aad factory crowded with work, and spreads its blessings upon every hand; vhile a contracted and shrinking volume of currency in the control of a few men breeds panics, distress, suffering, and w’ant in the country, throws the laborer out of employment, shuts down the factory and paralyzes every business except that of the money lender.

U. S. Senator Dubois, in answer to questions concerning the republicans’ loss of Senator Jones of Nevada said: “Senator Jones is not to be criticised for his action. His motives were honest. Nor can it be said that his step lacked wisdom. The Republican party generally should take notice by this action of Senator Jones. It means much to the northwest and foreshadows the coming action of myself, Teller, Wolcott, the •whole host and herd of northwestern Republicans unless there is a change. I am willing tw *ay now—and those who take an interest may guide themselves by it—that I will join Senator Jones between now and 1896 unless the Republican party declares for free silver—as absolutely free as gold. I mean free coinage of both silver and gold at a ratio of 16 to 1. The effect of Senaton Jones’ action is had to measure in advance. He is one of the strong figures in our ! party. In my own state, as indeed, in all about him, including California, there is no man whose example would have a more profound effect. The Populist party of the entire west is stronger today by 25 per cent than the day befoie Senator Jones made this change.”