The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-11-02

Col Lewis infinite inventive resources
have not failed him because he has been
obliged 20 abandon his yellow war talk
He Is still in business. as his recent speech
at Chesaasis abundantly attests. The fes-
lowing extracts from the published report
Of his remarks win be Of interest
He said Secretary Gage had cabled Lord
want TO do anything for silver. notwith-
standing the commission that had been ap-
pointed and sent TO England
What were the contents OF this telegram?
Has Col. Lewis q copy? He has net, be-
cause Ii does not exist. Briefly stated. the
truth is that during the absence of the BIZ
metallic commission in Europe. Secretary
Gage permitted himself to be interviewed
In the newspapers OF this country. taking
. decided stand against silver. Senator
Woicott. on his return, attacked Gage for
thus handicapping, a. he charged. the work
Of the commission.
This is the small foundation upon which
Col. Lewis has builded great structure Of
exaggeration-
opposed to the annexation Of Hawaii. be-
cause that meant the assumption by the
United States OF 100000 OF bonds owned
by Spreckeis and the sugar trust"
This Ii positively amusing. The bitterest
opponents of Hawaiian annexation on the
son. John d. Spreckels. who fought it long
and continuously through the San Francis
60 CAN, which the latter owns.
.'He said he was always in favor Of the
Nicaragua canal. but was opposed to the
proposition that the government should
stand good for SEQ, 0,oo OF its indebted
ness while five out OF seven members OF
the directors were foreigners"
There never was any such proposition.
1t was never proposed that q majority CT
the directorate should be foreigners. Ev-
cry proposal seriously made and consid-
cred by the United States was that the
government should absolutely control the
canal. naming majority Of the directors.
The cost of the canal has been variously
estimated from $lo0. Ooo. 900 to $l50. 100000.
He referred again to the Washington
Post as the organ OF the administration
and said the gold plank of the Republican
party Of this state was dictated by Hanna
The gold plank was inserted in the Ia
coma platform at the dictation Of the Re-
publicans Of Washington. They are run
ming their own campaign. and need no sug-
ges,ions from Ohio. where the Republi-
cans. undoubtedly through the influence Of
Senator Hanna have never yet had the
courage to declare for the gold standard.
He fixed the cost of the war this time
aconly Sl16.00o0 900. and said these expenses
could have been paid out OF the treasury
The latest treasury statement was that
the cost OF the war to date was $1S7 800. 900,
and expenses were continuing at the rate
Of one million per day.
He was not in favor OF the single tax,
and he said the platform on which he is
running declares only for liberal exemp-
tons from taxation. !"
Then Mr.. Lewis repudiates the several
Ellensburg platforms which declare for the
single tax? This is most curious attitude
for great single taxer like himself. On
July Is. 1897. Representative Lewis intro
duces in congress the following:
"a BILL to establish the system
of single tax in the District Of
Columbia, aud providing for rev.
enue for same"
This blu Is quite voluminous and sets
forth that Whereas, the present system
Of taxation in the United States is cum
bersome, discriminating. irregular and un-
just" etc, etc.
Two years ago Col. Lewis opposed the
Nicaragua canal. Now he favors 1t.
One year ago Col. Lewis opposed Ha-
waiian annexation. Six months later he
voted for it.
Two years ago he favored single tax Now
he opposes it, while q candidate for office
on platforms favoring 1t.