The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1896-09-03

cent, while our expectations of flour to
Cuba for the year ending June 30, 1873, the
year following the repeal OF the reciprocity
treaty, fell To 3,9.S56 barrels. n loss OF
nearly half our trade with that country.
The value of our total exports of merchan-
disc 10 Cuba in 1S9l-the year prior TO the
negotiations Of the reciprocity treaty-was
Sl2,22i SIS: In 1892, 81 7.353.5I9 In 1898,
S24, 1JT. Cos; in 1891. $50. 1882: but In 1905,
after the annulment Of the reciprocity agree
ment, ii fell TO only Sl2.SSI .6Gl Many sim
liar examples might be given of our In
creased trade under reciprocity with other
countries. but enough has been shown of
the efficacy of the legislation of 1890 to
justify the speedy restoration of its reel
procity Provisions. In my judgment. congress
should Immediately restore the reciprocity
section of the old law, with such amend
meuts, if any, as time and experience sane
tion as wise and proper. The underlying
principle Of this legislation must, however.
be strictly observed. 1t is to afford new
markets for our surplus agriculture and
manufactured products without loss 10 the
American laborer of a single days work
that lie might otherwise procure.
Foreign Immigration.
The declaration of the platform touching
foreign immigration is one of peculiar i'm
portance at this tine, when our own labor
Ing people are in such great distress. | am
IN heariy sympathy with the present legis-
lation restraining foreign immigration, and
favor such extension of the laws as will
secure the United States frcm invasion by
the debased and criminal classes of the old
world. While we adhere to the public poll
cy under which our country has received
great bodies of honest, Industrious citizens,
who have added to the wealth, progress ana
power of the country, and while we well
come to our shores the well disposed and in
dustrious immigrant who contributes by his
energy and Intelligence to the cause Of free
government, we want no immigrants who
do not seek our shores TO become citizens.
We should permit none to participate in
the advantages of our civilization who do
not sympathize with our aims and form OF
government. We should receive none who
come to make war upon our institutions
and profit by public disquiet and turmoil.
Against all such our gates must be tightly
closed.
Our 9, diers and Sailors.
The soldiers and sailors of the Union
should neither be neglected nor forgotten
The government which they served so we'll
must not make their lives or condition
harder by treating them as suppliants for
relief in old age or distress, nor regard with
disdain or contempt the earnest interest one
comrade naturally manifests in the welfare
Of another. Doubtless there have been pen-
sion abuses and frauds in the numerous
claims allowed by the government, but the
policy governing the administration of the
pension bureau must always be fair and
liberal. No deserving applicant should ever
suffer because of Il wrong perpetrated by or
for another. Our soldiers and sailors gave
the government the best they had. They
freely offered health. strength. limb and
life to save the country in the time of its
greatest peril, and the government must
honor them in their need, as In their serv-
ice, with the respect and gratitude due 10
brave, noble and seif-sacriicing men who
are justly entitled TO generous aid in their
increasing necessities.
Our Merchant Marine and Navy.
The declaration of the Republican plat
form in favor of the upbuilding of our
merchant marine has my hearty approval.
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 suprem-
acy on the seas Is fully attained. We
should no longer contribute directly or indi-
rectly 10 the maintenance Of the colossal
marine of foreign countries. but provide an
efficient and complete marine Of our own.
Now that the American navy is assuming a
position commensurate with our Importance
as a nation, a policy l am glad to observe
the Republican platform strongly endorses,
we must supplement 1t with a merchant
marine that will give us the advantages in
both our coastwise and foreign trade that
we ought naturally and properly to enjoy.
1t should be at once a matter OF public
policy and national pride TO repossess this
immense and prosperous trade.
Civil Service Reform.
The pledge of the Republican national con-
vention that our civil service laws shall
''be sustained and thoroughly and honestly
enforced, and extended wherever practi-
cable is in keeping with the position OF
the party for the past twenty-four years,
and will be faithfully observed. Our oppo-
nents decry these reforms. They appear
willing TO abandon all the advantages
gained, after so many years of agitation and
effort. They encourage n return to methods
OF party favoritism which both parties have
often denounced, that experience has con-
demned and that the people have repeatedly
disapproved. The Republican party earn
estly opposed this reactionary and entirely
unjustifable policy. 1t will take no back
ward step upon this question. 1t will seek
TO improve, but never degrade the public
service.
1t Especial Attention.
There arc other important and timely
declarations in the platform which | cannot
here discuss: | must content myself with
saying that they have my approval. If, as
Republicans, We have lately addressed our
attention, with what may seem great stress
and earncStness, TO the new and unexpected
assault upon the financial integrity of the
government, we have done it because the
menace is so grave as to demand especial
consideration and because we are convinced
that If the people are aroused to the true
understanding and meaning of this silver
and imitation movement, they Will avert the
danger. In doing this we feel that we
render the best service possible TO the
country, and we appeal TO the intelligence,
conscience and patriotism of the people,
irrespective of party or section. for their
earnest support.