Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-05-25
Senator Chambers Plat form for 1900

Senator William f. Chandler, the fire.
eating statesman of the Granite state,
has formulated programme whose adop-
ton he thinks will assure the success of
the republican party in the national cleo
ton of next year, He begins by fixing his
eye on Ohio and administering a little
wholesome advice to the republican lead
ers of the Buckeye state. He says there
must be harmony in Ohio, and wide con-
Citation and self effacement on the part
of his colleague Senator Hanna; and that
President Mckinley, who is in a position
TO bSing all the factions of the party in
his State together, must do the harmon
izing.
Senator Chandler does not state wheth-
or Fire alarm" Foraker Is TO he harmon
lied with a club or whether the admins
tration should conciliate the Presidents
ol1-time enemy by a liberal dispeusation
of political pap. but beyond toying with
Hannas halo he confines himself to a
general prescription foU the ohio situa-
ton. The force of this advice will undoubt-
cdly strike the administrator favorably
and President Mckinley's demonstrated
diplomacy will unquestionably enable him
to I'll out the blanks left in the Ohio
plank of the New Hampshire statesman's
platform.
Mr.. Chandler says that conservative
Congress will decide what disposition
shall be made of the Philippines. but in
the meantime the reputation of the Ameri-
can army and American prowess must be
maintained. In his estimation the men
who now hail the American flag as the
symbol of butchery and tyranny are the
copperheads of the present day, and he
holds that our army in the Philippines
must fight as long as fighting is neces-
sary. Present indications are that this
Philippine programme will be carried out,
although Congress may find that it has
little left to decide regarding that territory
when it convenes.
AS regards the West Indies Senator
Chandler is explicit. He says the early
liberation of Cuba must be accomplished
and the government there must be put into
the hands Of real representatives of the
people and not Of self-constituted and
pretended leaders. lie would have a ter
ritorial form of government given to Por-
to Rico as soon after Congress convenes
as possible, plank to which probably all
republicans can subscribe.
When Mr.Chandler comes to linancialI pee
scriptions, however, he plainly teaches
the parting of the ways Cor many of his
party colleagues. He expresses the opin-
ion that financial legislation is not necos-
slry. except the reconciliation of silver
a an enlarged ratio. if France will agree
to it; and he thinks the withdrawal of
the greenbacks would be folly. He would
also have effective legislation against
trusts by State Legislatures.
1t can thus be seen that while Senator
Chlndler is republican in name he is
something of popocTat in principle, as
regards financial legislation and the
trusts. He will experience great difficulty
in inducing many republicans at this time
to subscribe 10 his currency programme;
and tho chances are that the chief issue
ir 1900 as in 1896 will be the free silver
question. BY the time the campaign for
mally opens next year the trust craze will
in all probability have run its course; and
it is not impossible that the question of
expansion will have largely solved itself
before the actual beginnng OF the cam
pagn. This being the case Senator
Chandler will be compelled To lay aside
with the Organizes.