The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1899-12-21
Prominent Democrats Outline
Leading PIanks in the
Next Platform.
OPPOSITION TO REPUBLICAN POLICY
Senators and congressman to Fight
Finance, Trusts and Imperialism.

Washington, Dec. 17.-At this
| juncture it seems certain that the
democratic campaign OF 1900 will be
| fought on the old issues, with the ad-
dition of strong declaration against
the trust evil and plank dealing
with the question of Imperialism.
The latter issues, in all probability,
will outweigh the older ones. The
democratic policy, with respect to
| the Philippines, was accurately out
lined in the resolution introduced by
Representative Williams a few d avs
ago.
That resolution declares that the
Filipinos should have their independ-
tence and provides for an American
protectorate for a period of ten years,
after which and the payment of S20,-
600, 900 by the natives, the govern
ment of the islands shall be turned
over to them, the United States,
however, retaining naval and coaling
stations and certain other privileges
to be assured by treaty.
1t is understood that before offer
ing this resolution Representative
Williams conferred with the Demo-
cratic leaders and that the resolution
is really party measure, intended
to sound the key note of the Demo-
cratic platform next year.
Concerning the issues and their rel
ative Importance, these opinions have
been obtained.
SENATOR JONES OPINION.
Senator Jones, of Arkansas. chair
man of the National Democratic Com
mittee: 'Reatfirmation of the Chica-
go platform, declarations against
imperialism and the trusts and depre-
cation of the misuse of money to in
fiuence elections should be the battle
cry of the Democratic party. Speak
ing for myself, | am in favor of
the Filipinos having their indepen-
dence. We should keep a coaling
station perhaps and should see that
the Filipinos are not interfered with
by any outside power In other
words, weshould treat the Philippines
just as we are treating Cuba. 1t has
already been declared that!Cuba shall
have her own government and we
cannot go back on the pledge. After
a time, under government OF her
own, Cuba may ask for annexation.
1t will be time enough then to eonsid-
er such proposition, but | feel free
| to say now that | would. in our own
interests, oppose annexation"
Senator Tillman of South,Carolina:
Chicago platform unaltered, without
emitting a line or letter; antitrust
plank as strong and as radical as it
can be put-not mere semblance of
words, meaning nothing, which the
Republican platform will likely con-
tain. Hot and emphatic protests
against Imperialism, and especially
the Philippine policy of the president.
| am in favor of the Filipinos man
aging their own affairs, and in pro-
tecting them from interference, while
working out their salvation, from
outside parties. In return for many
millions it is costing us | would favor
holding an island, or portion there
of. as a naval base, but the United
States should not go further than a
pretectorate over the rest of the is
lands"
Senator Brown, OF Georgia: '1The
question of trusts and Imperialism
will, in my judgment, furnish the is
sues in which the people OF the United
States will take the most active in
terest in the coming presidential year.
If so. they viii constitute the princi-
pal issues between the Democratic
and Republican parties-issues neces-
sarily brought by the questions up
permost in the people minds. Poll
tical conventions cannot create issues
They can only formulate those that
exist in the minds of the people. Po-
sitions assumed by the Democratic