Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-07-08
THE ALI. IMPORTANT QUESTION-B,
LLOYD BRYCE.
(New York JournaI.)


TO state It mildly, the promise OF n rcpo-
uuon OF the Chicago platform. with its
well seem libel on the Intelligence OF the
| honesty.
As the American public are lacking
neither in intelligence nor honesty. such
4 platform must have another meaning
therefore it means the opposition to
But. again. trusts are an economic de-
vS,iinpncnt conditioned on the times
which IN tho main tend to reduce prices
ana enhance the purchasing value OF the
laborinS mans wages.
Consequently the meaning of such q
platform cannot be hostility TO trusts per
What is the meaning then?
favoritism and pulls with which trusts
are, are often associated and a vague in
more than his fair share?
Now who is This apocryphal person that
is getting more than his lair share? Let
us Try TO locate him, 10 run him 10 earth.
so TO speak.
In the first place; tho insiders" of many
OF our large industrial enterprises and
corpora tious might he held 10 be securing
more than their fair share.
Nhiic trusts and corporations are in
themselves perfectly legitimate. the direc-
tors ot some. ii might he said Of many OF
them, fail TO do their duty 10 the stock
news To enable themselves to Increase
their holdings, or initiate the stock to palm
II OF at higher price than il is worth.
hence corporate management has become
IA byword. and great fortunes are reared
on the ruins OF the moderate mans home.
Who else gets more than his fair share?
ny. secondly, The contributors 10 CAM
paisn funds often do.
Now, many of our. great business enter
prises ana corporations are as much in
iiuenced by. their fear of hostile leEisld-
ton as their hopes of favorable leSisia-
ton. so they give large amounts and oc-
casonally to both sides
an, Mev ,.Td i, they hone for Guid pro
rally through tariff N bat
Thus they secure an advantage. and a
rise OF few cents in their favor makes
them Unfortunately rich
Who else get more than their fair
share?
schemes who have n pull on the govern
mcnt when war breaks out, and to
whom the exploitation, of the conquered
territory, naturally falls Also the CON
tractors for army supplies often doand all
those gentry generally who capitalize II
pun.
Against these evils. which are in many
cases true and real Organism Is a pro-
tcSi-an irrational protest as connected
test rs connected with the assault upon
the supreme Court and the rights of con-
trusts and corporations per sc-and re-
CARELESS, of whether they are honestly or
dishonesty managed
Another so-cailcd Democratic Convcn-
ton Is about TO meet. Had 1t only the
true interests of the country at heart.
form that would sweep the country.
emitting the hercsies / have pointed out.
meeting the real evils have noticed and
answering certain questions which. how
ever retarded, are sure TO come at last
For instance. the question of The farmer
when his ploughinG is over and he has
time to think.
For this is the question he will ask
Why should be taxed to support a fleet
in foreign waters. or a general to ride
rough shod over the Philippines?
Surely these so;cailed rebels are only
their homes their children and their
wives from foreign invasion.
Thcl tho mechanic will ask. why is all
that he consumes taxed to develop an
army which according TO all the laws of
history and experiences. will be eventually
used against himself when he strikes
even though his strike be just?
The business man again will ask why hc
should pay tax on ,,S every o contrast
nence the man in uniform than the man
In the office suit. The political ccono-
mists. too, will inquire why we copy Eng
cally opposed. In England. with its lin
tied area. the out,,push of population COM
banded fully over tho territory we have.
Again the historian will ask whether
the hope OF Cuban bonds had not more
to do with the war than the explosion of
the Maine.
While the patroit will demand: "Why
have you been so un-American as 10
throw to the winds a policy that has made
America what she iS?"
Finally. the dying man will ask where
he comes In on this strcnuouS-life eXpan-
sion doctrine.
Well. frankly. as he is dying, no does
not como in at ALL but as Ii TO console his
last moments may arise the reflection
that the shroud in which he is wrapped
Is enhanced IN price because of the war,
also tho coffin in which he IS laid. as is
the plot in the cemetery.
The check his widow pays for his burial
expenses, moreover. has a stamp. while
the premium she draws on his life has
been lessened in its purchasing capacity
by the rise in price of every article she
has to buy.
Nineteen wars out of twenty throw
smoke into the eyes of the people. and
while the many toll the few reap Is our
war an cxception?-that is the question.