The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1897-12-24
A Political Review
Frum the World.

EIOm IUo HOIlus
The year 1897 has been . year of po-
litical importance, in the principal incl
dents Of the year we have combined to
prove the inability Of the Republican
party to meet the responsibilities Of
government.
The campaign Of 1896 was waged
partly upon the theory that Repusii-
can victory would restore confidence
and q revival OF conHdence,would 90 far
toward ths restoration of prosperity.
The first half of the present year 90 com
pletely annihilated the eonfderee argu-
ment that it will not be able to do ser-
vice 10 another campaign. The bust
ness and bank failures which followed
the election proved eonclusively that
the mere announcement CT Republi-
can victory, 30 far from being psnacea,
was not even palliative.
The President, by asking for authority
70 appoint q commission, to seek foreign
and In the restoration OF bImetaIlism,
and the Rspu blican Congress, in appro-
priating money to pay the expenses of
the comm ission, presented an unan-
swerable indictment against the gold
standard. It will not be possible for a
supporter of the Administration to deny
the logic OF the argument that an at
tempt to get rid Of a system is q con-
fession that that the system is not satis-
factory.
The Dingley bill, passed at a special
session OF Congress, embodies In concrete
form the Republican plan of relieving
the people by increasing their taxes
The only Affirmative aid promised by the
Republican platform was an increase in
the tariff rates, and in calling an extra
session Of Congress for the sole purpose
OF administering to the people the stand
ard Republican cure for all political ills
the Adminislraiion exhausted its rem
edies.
just as Congress was about to adjourn
the President recommended q monetary
commission, the purpose of which wac
to reform the currency in such . way
90 to make it harmonic with the gold
standard. This message was significant
because it was equivalent to an an
nouncement that the Administration
did no. expect the restoration of bimet-
allism, and by many the message has
been regarded IS suggestion to England
not to make any concessions to our com.
mission.
The subsequent failure Of the commits
sion to secure an international agree
ment lie probably the most important
political event of the year, because it
puts an end to delusion which has for
twenty years been employed by mono.
metaIlists tc pacify the people while tie
gold standard was being strengthened.
The mask must now be thrown off and a
foreign financial policy must be defended
by the Republican party, not on the
ground Of i.s desirability, but on the
gronnd that the American people are
impotent to rid themselves of it.
The unsuccessful attempt made by the
Republicans to turn to partisan advan.
taRs an unexpected rise in wheat was
important only as it proved the farmers
acquaintance with the money question
and his ability to reason f.om cause TO
effect.
The elections OF 1897 were important
because they showed conclusiveIy that
there is . growing hostility to the roli-
eies advocated by the Republican party
Not to be overlooked is the persistent {
efforts now being made dy the national
banks 10 bulldoze the government into
. surrender of the sovereign right to is.
sue and control the paper money of the
country. No recent year has witnessed
such IN exhibition of selfish disregard OF
the publicwsal as that manifested in the
demand Of the 6nanciers that they be
permitted 10 regulate the volume OF oa.
per money.
Last, but not least, among the political
events Of the year may be mentioned the
prompt action Of the Senate to recognize
the beligerent rights of the Cubans and
the failure Of the House and Admins.
tration TO support the Senate's position
WILLIAH J. BRYAN.