Daily Kennebec journal., 1894-11-02
VOICES OF THE PRESS.
Commissioner Danicrth.

VOICES OF THE PRESS.
Commissioner Daniorth.
(Reporter-J Journal.)
Mr.. Danforth's first work was on the
European & North American, and he has
been connected with nearly all the roads
that have been built in the state since, and
their probably is not an engineer in the
State who has had more such experience
than he.
Mr.. Danforth has decided convictions
and the courage of them, and his private
| life is blameless. His extended experience
in his profession in various railroad mat
ters, Joined with good judgment makes
him peculiarly we'll qualified for the posi-
ton of railroad commissioner.
What Depressed Business.
Boston Journal.
Nothing could be more disingenuous
than the attempt which the Democratic
papers make, for political effect, to per-
suade their readers that the Democratic
administration and the Democratic tariff
policy had nothing to do with the business
depression under which the country has
suffered during the past year and half.
The favorite argument runs something like
| this: There was q panic in 1873, for which
| the party in power was not responsible ;
therefore it is uni ust to charge the Demo-
Gratis with responsibility for the business
| troubles of 1898. Could there be any
thing more childish than such reasoning as
this? That the reader may see that we do
not misrepresent the argument, let him
read this from labored article in the Bos-
ton Herald:
There have been, then, business revul-
sions under Grant and under Cleveland.
These Presidents were alike responsible for
them if any administration of the govern
nlent could be. But no man who is candid
charges Grant and his party with being re-
sponsible for the panic of 1878. Is it any
fairer now to charge Cleveland and bis
party with being responsible for the busi-
ness troubles of 1882"
The radical difference, which the Herald
finds it convenient to overlook, and which
evidently it hopes will not occur to its
readers, is this: No new government
policy came in with the second administra-
ton of Grant, which, by its connection with
business, could have operated to bring
about the business disturbances of 1873.
i
ton, on the other hand, represented more
than change in the personnel of the gov
ernment. The Democratic party, in its
platform, and from thousands of public
meetings and its newspaper press, had pro-
system. 1t had declared protection in any
form violation of the Constitution, and
had announced its purpose to mske war
- hod hoon in
more than 80 years. All the industries of
the country. all its trade and commerce,
had been adjusted to it. The daily wages
of millions Of people and the prosperity Of
cities and towns and entire states was
bound up in it. The election of 1892 gave
the Democratic party its first opportunity to
keep its pledges. 1t came into complete
possession of the government on the fourth
of March, 1898.
Is it conceivable that the business of the
country could go on undisturbed in the face
of such a menace? Could manufacturers
continue to manufacture goods, not know
ing but that the conditions of the mar
ket would be radically changed before they
could reach the consumer? Could wages
be sustained under such conditions? Was
it possible for business men to go on buy
ing and selling without reference to the
future? Was it not inevitable that precise
ly what happened must happen, namely,
that there should be a partial or complete
paraly sis of industry, closing of mills, re-
ductions of wages or of working hours. the
purchasing capacity of the people dimin-
ished AMI business done from hand to
mouth?
1t is perfectly open to the Democratic or
gans. if they choose, to argue that there are
compensations for all these losses, and that
it was worth while to go through all that
we have experienced since the Cleveland
administration began in order that we might
enter into the blessings of free trade. That
course, we say, is open to them. But to
falsify the facts of recent history, impu
IDENTIFY to deny that which has entered into
the experience of all our business men and
wage earners is only to win the contempt
of all honest and intelligent men.
Railroad Commissioner.
(Aroostook Times.)
Gov. Cleaves has made good selection
| in the appointment of Frederick Danforth
of Gardiner to fill the vacancy on the board
of railroad commissioners occasioned by
the death of Col. A. W. Wildes of Skowhe-
gan. who was the civil engineer of the
board Mr.. ID ,nforth is 45 years of sge, q
practical engineer and a courteous and pop
ular gentleman. He will make an excel
lent commissioner.
Children CrV for