Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1900-09-20

congress, for state officers and for pres
ident, he Is competent to choose his rep.
resentative In the senate. A system
which makes the senator responsible for
his election to the people, as whole,
and amenable to them II he misrepre-
sents them, must commend Itself to those
who have confidence In the intelligence
and patriotism Of the masses.
Direct Legislation.
The platform indorses the principle Of
direct legislation. This is already applied
ton state and city. II rests upon the
sound theory that the people can be
trusted, and that the more responsive the
government Is to the will OF the people
the more free 1t will be from misuse and
abuse
Arbitration.
The platform renews the demand for
arbitration between corporations and
their employees. No one who has observed
the fAtion which arises between great
ployes can doubt the wisdom Of estab-
fishing an impartia! court for the just
and equitable settlement Of disputes. The
demand for arbitration ought to be sup
ported as heartily by the public which
suffers inconvenience because of strikes
and lookouts, and by the employers them
selves, as BY the employees. The estab-
lishment Of arbitration will insure friend
ly relations between labor and capital,
and render obsolete the growing practice
Of calling In the army to settle labor
troubles.
Department Of Labor.
I cannot too strongly emphasize the i'm.
portance Of the platform recommendation
of the establishment of department of
labor, with member Of the cabinet at
Its head. When we remember how i'm.
portant position the laborer fills in our
economic, social and political fabric, 1t
IS hard to conceive Of valid objection
services. Agriculture Is already repre-
sented In the presidents official house,
hold; the army and navy have their rep
resentative there; the state department,
with Its consular service, and the treas
ury department with Its close connection
with fiscal affairs, keep the executive In
touch with the business and commercial
interests. A cabinet officer truly repre-
sentative Of the wage earning class would
be of invaluable aid, not only to the
tolers, but to the president
Pensions.
The party expresses It's pride In the SOL
diers and sailors Of all our wars, and de-
clares It's purpose to deal generously with
them and their dependents. A liberal
policy Is natural and necessary in a gov
eminent which depends upon citizen
soldiery instead of a large standing army.
Self-interest, as well as gratitude, COM
pels the government to make bountlful
provision for those who, In the hour of
danger, and at great sacrifice of business
bea al nd Hfn tondor THAR cartirou IN
their country.
Nicaragua.
The democratic party Is In favor Of the
Immediate construction, ownership and
control of the Nicaraguan canal by the
United States. The failure of the repub-
lican party to make any progress In car
rylng out pledge contained In Its plat
form four years ago, together with the
substitution In It's latest platform Of
plank favoring an isthmian canal for
specific declaration In favor of the Near
aguan canal, would indicate that the re-
publican leaders either do not appreciate
the Importance of this great waterway
to the maritime strength and commercial
interests of the country, or that they give
too much consideration to the Interested
opposition of transcontinental lines. The
Hays auncefote treaty, now before the
SENATE, WOuluD II Aatiiisui 6ASutay ASoSSA
the value of the canal, If 1t would not
indeed convert 1t into positive menace
in time of war. The paramount interests
of the United States in the western hem-
isphere. together with the obligations 10
defend the republics to the south OF
US, make 1t necessary that our govern,
ment shall be able to close the canal
against any hostile power.
Cuba.
The recognition contained In both the
democratic and republican platforms OF
| the right of the Cubans to independence,
removes the general principle involvedl
| from the domain OF partisan politics. IL
Is proper, however. to consider whether
| the accomplishment OF this purpose can
be safely ntrusted to the republican par
| ty after 1t has yielded to the allurements
| of the colonial idea, and abandoned us
earlier faith In the natural and lnallen-
able rights of man.
Foreign Alliances.
The raasons given by Washington, JEFF
ferson and the other statesmen of the
early days In support of the doctrine that
we should maintain friendly relations
with all nations. but enter INTO entan-
Cling alliances with none, are even strong
| pr to-ody than they were hundred years
ago. Our Commerce Is rapidly increas-
ins and we are brought into constant
communication with all parts OF the
world. Even If we desired to do So. we
could not afford to ALLEVIATE many nations
by cultivating unnecessary intimacy with
a few Our strength and standing are
such that 1t Is less necessary than ever
before to lean for aid upon the friendll-
ness of foreign power.
Income Tax.
By inadyertence the income tax plank
agreed upon by the resolutions commit
tee, was omitted from the platform as
read and adopted. The subject, however,
is covered by the reattlrmatlon OF the
Chicago platform, and ! take this occa-
sion to reassert my belief In the prin-
chile which underlies the income tag.
Congress should have authority to levy
. and collect an income tax whenever nee.
and an amsRamento IL M
authority ought to be supported by even
those who may think the tax unnecessary
at this time. In the hour, OF danger the
government can draft the citizen: 1t
ought to be able to draft the pocketbook
as we'll Unless money Is more precious
than blood, we cannot afford to give
greater protection to the incomes Of the
rich than to the lives of the poor.
imperialism.
The subjects, however, treated In this
letter, important as each may seem In
itself do not press so imperatively for
solution as the question which the plat
form declares to be the paramount issue
in this campaign. Whether we shall ad-
here to or abandon those ideas of gov
eminent which have distinguished this
nation from other nations and given to
its history its peculiar charm and value,
is question the settlement of which
cannot be delayed. No other question can
approach 1t In Importance no other cues
ton demands such immediate consdera-
| ton 1t is easier to lose reputation than
TO establish one, and this nation would
find it a long and laborious task to regain
its proud position among the nations, II,
under the stress of temptation, 1t should
repudiate the self-evident truths pro.
claimed by our heroic ancestors and
sacredly treasured during career I'M
paralleied in the annals of time. When
Inc doctrine that the people are the only
source of power Is made secure from fur
ther attack we can safely proceed to the
settlement of the numerous questions
which involve the domestic and economic
welfare of our citizens.
Very truly yours, nv ,pvAN