The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-10-06

impossible for us to enter successfully In competi.
ton with nations where the capital employed
was larger and the wage paid cheaper. In all
this evolution in our industrial world, ] re.assert
that no loss has come 20 labor. Tho economies
introduced have not reached him. On the other
hand, whatever changes have been wrought, and
there have been many, have been TO his advan.
tagc Ills more general and stcadicr employment
during the past two years attest this fact.
Evils Of Demagogism.
1 again submit that II combination Of capital
neither increases the price to the consumer, nor
,iininishes the number Of laborcrs. nor the
amount OF wagc,St cannot be either menace to
society or n derimcnt TO the public good 1t
certainly does not prevent such situation in the
eOuntry's affairs rs to demand unusual laws or
extraordinary action. The laws which apply to
the dealings Of daily business life I deem sufi-
cicnt the laws which make requisite common
honesty and fair dealing between man and man.
I am certain that in far as the laborer and
employer are concerned their best interests lie
in the direction OF closer relasion established,
more mutuel confidence entertained and the cul-
tNaton OF that deep sense of respect the one
towards the other which always has regard Tor
individual right and Justice | am not believer
IN that which during the French revolution was
termed 'thc all powerfulncss Of the law as the
best means Of adjusting rights between labor and
capital. Neither have ! faith in that increasing
desire the part of the public to rush in on all
occasions with suggested settlements, but ] do
believe in the efficacy Of mutual regard and re.
spect, mutual recognition OF rights, willing
ness TO treat upon plane Of Justice and fair
dealing with labor the part OF the employers,
whether individual associated, and a reciprocal
course of conduct OF labor with those with whom
their daily welfare Is most closely associated.
In short I am against the interference with the
affairs of employer and employee by demagogc
lawmakers, blatant politicians and sclf.appontcd
leaders seeking personal and political advantagc'
As against all these l would set for labor the
wise counscs of those OF their own rank who aie
not in politics and the business sense OF right
and justice of their employers. Such course
will work ou. for them and theirs a greater indi'
vidual prosperity and happiness. stronger place
in public esteem for their varied associations, and
n condition when labor's difficulties with en-.
pioycr and employers with labor will come to
he the impossible thing. longer marring the
lines of the business world and working distress
and loss to those involved therein.
A Mischievous Platform.
But there Is still more potential reason
which now propose to discuss why labor should
refuse to vote for Mr. Bryan and endorse his
political principles IT is his boast that he yet
stands by the utteranccs of the Chicago plat
form, which Cowardly and subscrvcnt party
at his dictation rcafirmcd at Kansas City. What
docs the reatfrmation of that platform mean?
II means II once intrlstcd with power the Dem.
ociatic party, umler the guidance and leadership
of their chief executive would attempt to give
the force of enacted law to the issues to which,
l. is by it pledged. an attempt that in itself
would breed constant uncertainty and distrust.
BY the pronouncement of its own platform It
would, if able, abrogatc the right Of private
contract and thereby put a premium rpon dis.
honesty and evasion of just obligations. 1t is
against the enforcement of law and order by
the lawfully constituted authorities in opposi.
tion to the will OF mob law, If it speaks Its true
beliefs in its party prrachment 1t is against
the countrys courts of justice and the majesty
of law, that majesty finds expression in the
supreme court according to that platform once
announced and many times reait'rned. 1t hns
no use for a civil service which takes from the
party worker the spols of office despite the TACT
that it gives to the taxpaying public better
return for the wage which the public pro
vidcs. 1t means nothing Oh a wisely adjusted
tariff system because 1t is swallowed up in its
advocacy Of protection to the silver Interests.
Ii has no force and effect when 1t speaks on
the subject of class legislation, for Populsin
and Silver Republicanism have made Democracy
wholly party of special interests, promising
through the "Be it enacted" of legislation spc.
cal relief and privileges. Its denunclation OF
trusts is sham, branded so by placing the
trust supporting and trust supported leaders OF
Tammany high in Democratic councils. In fine,
Mr.. Bryan has brought the Democratic party
to that unhappy condition where 1t can work
injury to all and good to none.
Bryan's Purposes.
There is one policy, however, over and above
all these to which Mr.. Bryan is wcdded which.
unsafe, undemocratic and unAmercan, ought
not to be forgotten in this campaign. Mr.. Bryan
may talk antimperialism, but back OF it all
is his free coinage OF silver purposes. lie may
dcnounce trusts but his acts in office will he
in the interests of silver. His expressions OF
sympathy with the Beers is but a subtHrfuge to
make the voter think less upon debaSed cur
rcncy. Whatever his words may be now. his acts
will if once given an election, accord with the
wishes OF those who first made him possibility
in the country's political annals. Mr.. Bryan
has not within these four years put behind him
fixed determination, if clothed with authority,
to enforce the financial policy which would in.
cvitably result in reputation of the nations
obligations and impairment OF the nations credit
II will not do for the country to lull itself
into supposed security from all danger on this
score because Mr.. Bryan has seen fit to cease
talking Oh the money question, or because we
have had some financial legislation. The people
must not hatter themselves that Mr. Bryan or
views on this subject. Mr.. Bryan has not and
he will not. He has found it polite for the
present to only conceal his erroneous VIEWS
Who forgcts that he was the strenuous advocate
of silver until he had gotten through with the
Pcpust and Silver conventions? II hc no longer
talks it he still, notwithstanding sucn fact, en-
tlrtains and stands for it.
Disastrous Consequences.
And what would the adoption of such a policy
mean to capital. to labor, to trade, to commerce,
to all the interests that combined make this
great country of ours source OF qualification
and pride to every citizen of the republic? 1t
would mean to the nation loss Of financial pres
tige, to the individual the inviting of the
worlds contempt and distrust. Every industry
would be thrust into caldron OF doubt and
uncertainty, ending in rehxing of values AMI
reorganization OF business upon the new basis
in cases where bankruptcy had not already in
teryencd. II would cause the savings banks to
readiust their relations with their depostors to
accord with the essened worth Of their accu.
mulated securities The depositor, their creditor,
with his earnings Of ten years reduced to the
s,vings of five, would either be Gompeiled to
work longer years to put himself in the posi-
ton he occupied or reduce TO y lower
plane the manncr Of his living. Tie CONNER
tial world. shocked ard afrishted by the havoc
wrought by such departure from the rules Of
Ordinary honesty ana the decrGss> OF economic
science, would tiN1-panic and stist and dis
sipatcd wealth where now is confidence and
stability and multitudinous riches. do not
oycrdraw the picture, for capital, proyc,hiaily
timid, would shrink back from II ca,astrGpby
appalling. II would mean everywhere with
the American a complete reversal Of all its past
hstory--thr moving back from the proud posi-
tion of financial supremacy nlon vh?h wa are