The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-08-09
be paid to the
D41ted States than to

irugatty ana industry, prompted by
laudible ambition, using the brains with
which nature has endowed him, thereby
rising to positions of the highest ntlu-
ence and the greatest power. That this
IS possible is no reelection on American
institutions. On the contrary, it consti-
tutes the most powerful incentive to those
who are born in the middle and in the
lower walks of life to look up, to put forth
there Is possible reward, that conditions
OF birth are no barrier and that under re-
publican policies the enjoyment of hard
earned rewards will be secured and pro-
tected, is one of the NEST powerful fac
tors III the progress of our people.
II suit of Bryan Triumphs.
1t matters not how high and noble may
be the motives of Mr.. Bryan, and it is not
my desire or intention to question them.
II he should triumph at the polls in No
could escape the disastrous consequences
of the agitation they have led. They have
INDUCED in wholesale denunciation of the
existing order of business and govern
ment, they have reiterated every fallacy
OF the Chicago platform, the dominant
spirit of which was John P. -Altgeld, who
stands for all that is dangerous and rev.
dictionary in American politics.
Men are sometimes admired for the en-
emies they make. In Mr.. Bryan's case,
ne ne cannot escape responsibility for the
friends he has made. His election would
bring him and his party an impossible
task The safe conduct of the national
affairs of the great republic during the
next four years will call for the wisest
President Mckinley and the republican
party are again placed in power, the
problems, though grave and of the high
est Importance, will be few and simple
would confront Mr. Bryan. He would
have to meet and deal with every ques-
ton, with which the republican party
would be confronted, and in addition to
these problems would also be expected BY
his visionary and deluded supporters to
revolutionize our money and revenue sys-
TENS, and the judiciary, and to extend the
functions of the government into new and
dangerous fields.
The Trust Problem.
The trust question has been one of alb
sorbing interest to the American people.
Mr.. Bryan and his followers have made
a desperate effort to make political capt.
tai tai, In connection with this question. They
claim the republican party is responsible
tor the existence of the so-called trusts.
There have recently been some very en-
barrassing developments in connection
with the trust question from the demo-
cratic standpoint. 1t matters not. how
ever how much the developments in
connection with the democratic New York
ice trust have s, embarrassed the insincere
leaders Of the democracy, the republican
party, true to it's history, frankly and
courageously recognizes the Importance
OF this question. The republican party is
fender of monopoly. She recognizes 1t as
one of the highest duties of government,
national, state and municipal, to restrain
in every possible manner any and all at
tempts of organized capital to plumber
the people The only question for thought
and argument in this connection on the
part of those charged with the RESPONSE
bilities of the government, concerns the
means to accomplish the end which all
intelligent people recognize as desirable
The republican party was the first to rec
osnlze the issue by enacting the national
legislation upon the subject, and in the
last congress were prevented from taking
most important step for the enlargement
of the powers of the general government
the proposed constitutional amendment
the Bryanites who seek to make political
capital out Of the trust question stand
convicted of insincerity.
1t is great complex problem to devise
ways and means by which the govern
ment can afford protection to the people,
and President Mckinley and future re-
and counsel of patriotic men of all par
ties in the framing of legislation upon
that question. In connection with no
question of recent interest has there been
more misrepreSe2ta ton or NJ lformation
than has bskiyez ~ y in the
= !! : j.! !: +: +: :: s
nor lever can 800 5olies
Mary nave fatled-ro peffect thair or
doomed to early disintegration by reason
or the operation of the natural laws of
business.
Causes of Consolidation.
The causes which have given life to the
movement for consolidation in manufac-
turing and commerce have been and are
| varied. The natural trend of modern
business, though, is in the direction of
| the reduction of waste, and no more he
neHcent achievement in material affairs
has marked modern progress than the ac-
| complishment of economy in the produc.
ton and distribution of the necessaries
and comforts of life.
Those institutions in the business world
which attempt to rob the people will
sooner or later come to grief through the
operation of the natural laws of business.
On the other hand, those which accom-
pltsh economies by reason of superior or.
| gan1zation and greater capitalization and
have the wisdom to share the benefits
with producers and consumers, will en-
10Y the most prosperous and permanent
only as beneficent but also as indispensa-
BILE, no matter how large they NAV be.
For such institutions the republican party
monopoly she is sworn to do battle.
II there has been any partisan respon
slplilty Tor the craze for consolidation
In business enterprises, the hard times
must bear that responsibility. Nearing
the close of that administration hundreds
of legitimate business institutions were
on the verge of bankruptcy, and thew
had to choose between surrendering their
Individual character in an effort to ac-
complish economies by consolidation and
thus be able to live, or surrender to the
alternative of bankruptcy.
Avarice has also played an important
part in this movement, but for individual
avarice no party is responsible
Great credit is due the republican ad.
ministration speaking through Attorney
General Griggs, in giving timely warming
to the American people to beware of in
vestments in the securities of the So
called trusts. His statement that one of
the greatest dangers possible in connec-
ton with the consolidation of business en-
| terprises. was that which would result
| from the purchase by the people Of the
| securities of those organizations has been
| fully vindicated by subsequent events
| Another most important development was
| the attitude taken by the great monied
| interests Of eastern financial centers in
| refusing to promote numberless enter
| prises of this character, demonstrating
| their business sanity and actually &C.
| complishing more for the destruction of
the trust movement in one day than all
| of the democratic orators have done in
the past, or, in my humble Judgment, win
| 10 in the future.
Attitude Toward German americana
| One OF the most fragrant features in
| connection with the democratic campaign
| is their attitude tward the German-Ameri.
| can voter. With much assurance they are
| claiming throughout the country that this
| class OF citizens who played SO conspicu-