The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-09-16

claims against the Pacific railroads.
Such a policy is necessary for the pro
lection of the rights OF the patrons,
as we'll as for the interests OF the gov
ernment.
The people OF the United States,
happy in the enjoyment OF the bless
ings a free government. feel gener-
Gus sympath toward all VINO are en-
deayoring to secure like blessings for
themselves. This sympathy, while re-
specting all treaty obligations, is es-
pecially active and earnest when eX.
cited by the struggling Of neighboring
people, who, like the Cubans, are
near enough to observe the workings
of q government which derives all its
authority from the consent of the
governed.
That the American people are not
in favor Of life tenure in the civil SER
vice is evident from the fact that
they, as a rule, make frequent chang
es in their official representatives
when those representatives are CLOS
en- by ballot. A permanent Of
fee holding class is not in harmony
with our institutions. A fixed term Ia
appointive offices, except where the
Federal Constitution now provides
otherwise, would open the public SER
vice TO q larger number OF citizens
without impairing its efficiency.
The territorial form ofgoyernment Is
temporary in its nature and should
give way as soon as the territory is
sufficiently advanced TO take its place
among the States. New Mexico, Okla
home and Arizona are entitled to State
hood and their early admission is de-
nded by their material and politl-
cal interests. The demand of the
platform that officials appointed to ad'
minister the government Of the terito.
ries, the District of Columbia and
Alaska should be bona tide resi-,
dents OF the territories or District is
entirely in keeping with the Dem:
ocratic theory of home rule. |
am also heartily in sympathy with
the declaration that all public
lands should be reserved for the estab
lishment of free homes for American
citizens.
The policy OF improving the great
waterways Of the country justified by
the national character of these water
ways and the enormous tonnage borne
upon them. Experience has demon
strated that continuing appropriations
are, in the end more economical than
single appropriations separated by
long intervals.
1t is not necessary to discuss tn 9 tar
iff question at this time. Whatever
may be the individual views of citizens
as to the relative merits of protection
and tariff reform, all must recognize
that until the money question is fully
and finally settled the American peo-
pie will not consent to the considera'
ton of any other important question.
Taxation presents problem which in
some form is continually present, and
postponement of definite action up:
on it involves no sacrifice of personal
opinion or political principles; but the
crisis presented by financial condi'
tions cannot be postponed. Tremen'
dous results will follow the action
taken by the United States on the
money question, and delay is impossi'
BILE. The people of this nation, sit
ting as high court, must render
judgment in the cause which greed is
prosecuting against humanity. The
decision will either give hope and in.
spiration TO those who toll, or shut
the doors of mercy on mankind" In
the presence of this overshadowing is
sue, differences of opinion upon minor
questions must be laid aside in order
that there may be united action among
those who are determined that prog
ress toward a universal gold standard
shall be stayed and the gold and silv'
er standard OF the Constitution resort
ed. w. J. BRYAN.