The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-08-27
RECIPROCITY.


platform that has met most cordial sup
port is that which fayors reciprocity.
The splendid results of the reciprocity
arrangements that were made under the
authority of the tariff law of 1890 are
striking and suggestive. In 1889 the
export trade Of the United States at
tanned the highest point in our history.
The increase of trade with the coun-
tries which we have reciprocity agree
ments was So, $50. 515 over. our trade In
1899, and SIG, 4a0, Tai over ths trade In
1881. The only countries with which
the United States traded that showed IN
creased exports In 1898, were practically
those with which we had reciprocity ar
rangements. In my jugdment Congress
should Immediately restore the recipro-
CITY sections of the old law with such
amendments, If any, as time and expert
enoe sanction, as wise and proper.
FOREIGN IMMIGRATION.
The declaration of the platform touch
ing foreign immigration Ii. one of peou-
liar Importance at this time, when our
laboring people are in such great dis
tress. l am in hearty sympathy with
the present legislation restricting foreign
immigration and favor such extension
of the laws as will secure the United
States from invasion by the debased and
criminal classes of the world. We should
permit none to participate in the adyan-
tages of our civilization who do not sym
pathize with our aims and form of gov
eminent. We should receive none who
come to make war upon our institutions
and profit by public and private disquiet
and turmoil. Against all such our gates
must be tightly closed. .-
PENSION LAWS.
The soldiers and sailors of the Union
should neither be neglected or forgotten.
The government which they served so will
must not make their lives or condition
harder, 10y treating them as supplants for
relief in old age or distress. Doubtless
there have been pension abuses and
frauds in the numerous claims allowed
by the government but tho policy gov
erning the administration of the pension
bureau must always be fairsand liberal.
No deserving applicant should ever suf-
fer because of wrong perpetuated by
or for another.
OUR MERCHANT MARINE.
The declaration Of the Republican plat
form In favor of the up-building of our
merchant marine has my hearty APPROX
al. The policy of discriminating duties
in favor of our shipping. which prevailed
in the early years Of our history should
be again promptly adopted by Congress,
and vigorously supported until our
prestige and supremacy on the sea is fully
maintained.
Now that the American navy is assum-
ing a position commensurate WI tn our
Importance as nation, We must supple
ment 1t with q merchant marine that
will give Us the advantages in both our
coastwise and foreign trade that we
ought naturally and properly TO enjoy.
THE CIVIL SERVICE.
committee that our civil service laws
"shall be sustained thoroughly and
honestly and extended wherever practi-
GABLE" is in keeping with the position
of the party for the past "a years. and
will DO faithfully observed. Our oppo-
nents deory these reforms.
I They appear willing to abandon all the
advantages gained, after 40 many years
of agitation and effort They encourage
return to the.methods of party fayorit-
ism which both parties have often de-
nOunoed, that experience has condemned
and the people have repeatedly disap-
proved.
The. Republican party earnestly op-
poses this reactionary and entirely un-
ward step upon this question. 1t will
seek to improve but never degrade the
public service.
IN GENERAL.
There are other Important and timely
declarations in the platform which I
cannot here discuss. I must cortent
mysslf with saying that they have my
approval If, as Republicans, we have
lately addressed our attention, with
what may seem great stress and earnest
ness, ITO the new and unprotected assault
upon the financial integrity OF the gov
eminent, we have done ~ because the
menace is so grave as to demand special
consideration and because we are con-
vlnced that If the people are aroused to
the true understanding and meaning of
this silver and Initiation movement they
will avert the danger.
In doing this we feel that we render
the best service posi- BILE to the country
and We appeal to the Intelligence, con-
science and patriotism of.the people, ire
speotive of party, or section, for their
earnest support.
We avoid no issues. We meet the sud
den, dangerous and revolutionary as
sault upon law and order and upon
those to whom is oonfided by the Con-
stitution and laws the authority to up
hold, and maintain them, which our op-
ponents have u AIDE. with the same cour-
age that We have faced every emergency
since our organization as party, more
than 40 years ago.
Government by law must first be as
sured. Everything else can wait The
spirit of lawlessness must be extinguished
by the fires of an unselfish and honest
patriotism. Every attack upon the pub
lie faith and every suggestion of rspudi-
alton of debts, public or private, must
be rebuked by all men who believe that
honesty Is the best policy, or who love
their country and will preserve un-
sullied it's national honor.
oBLITERATION OF SECTlONALISM
The country is to be congratulated ON
the almost total obliteration of section
al lines. which for SO many years marked