The age-herald., 1900-08-24


 the principles of direct legislation. If any differences exist to the extent to which the principle should be applied, these diffi- culties can be reconciled by experiment.
 Democrats and Populists agree that Chinese and other Oriental labor should be excluded from the United States.
 Democrats and Populists desire to so enlarge the scope of the interstate com merce act to enable the commission to protect both persons and places from dis crimination, and the public at large from excessive railroad rates.
 "The Populists approve the demand set forth in the Democratic platform for a La bor Bureau, with cabinet officer at it's head. Such an official would keep the Ad- ministration in close touch with the wage earning portion of the population, and go far toward securing such reform as the other toilerS need.
 The Trust Issue
 'In 1896 the Populists united with the Democrats in opposing trusts, although the question at that time appeared like cloud scarcely larger than mans hand. Today that cloud would overspread the industrial sky. The farmer does not participate in the profits of any trust, but he sorely feels the burden of them all. He is de- pendent upon the seasons for his income When he plants his crop he knows not whether it will be blessed with rain biighted with drought; he knows not whether wind will blow it down or hail destroy it, or insects devour it, and the price of his crop is as uncertain as the quantity. If private monopoly can sus- pend production and fix the price of raw material, well as the price of finished product, the farmer, powerless to protect himself when he sells, is plundered when he purchases. Can any farmer hesitate to throw the influence of his ballot upon the side of those who desire to protect the public at large from monopolies? ba tI,a Republican party ought to be sufficient proof that they expect protection from it. The Republican party cannot be relied cpon to extinguish the trusts so long as 1t draws its campaign contributions from their overhowng vaults.
 Farmers Not Deceived "The prosperity argument which the Re- publicans bring forward to answer all com pla1nts against the administration will not deceive the farmer He knows that two factors enter into his income: First, the size of the crop; and, second, the price he receives for the same. He does not return thanks to the party in power for favorable weather and a bountiful harvest and he knows that the Republican party has no policy which insures a permanent increase in agricultural prices. Since he sells his surplus in a foreign market, he is not a beneficiary of the tariff and since he pro- duces merchandise and not money he does not profit by the depreciation of the dol lar. He knows that the much-vaunted pros perity, of which he has never had his share, Is on the wane in spite of the unusual and unnatural stimulation which it has re- ceiVed during the last three years. He knows that each month of 1900 shows a larger number of failures than the cor responding month of 1S99 and that there is already a marked tendency toward a de- crease in the output of the factories. He knows also that discoveries of gold, famines abroad and war on three continents have not been able to raise the price of farm pro- ducts as rapidly as trusts and combinations have raised the price of the things which the farmer buys.
 Not Inconsistent
 "Our opponents have tried to make it ap- pear that are inconsistent when we desire general rise in prices and yet op- pose arbitrary rise in protected manu- factures or trust made goods. There is no conflict whatever between these two propo- sitions If a general rise in prices occurs because of permanent increase in the vol ume of money all things adjust themselves to the new level, and if tn eyolume of mon- ey then increases in proportion to the de- mand for money, the price level remans the same and business be done with fair ness to all.
 If, however, the rise is arbitrary and only first part of the products of labor, those whose products do not participate In the rise suffer because the purchasing pow CT of their income Is decreased. If bad monetary system brings down the price of the farmers product, while monopolies raise the price of what he buys, he burns the candle at both ends and must expect to suffer in comparison with those who be- long to the classes more favored by legis- lation.
 Tt is sometimes urged by partisan Pop uliStS that four years more of Republican misrule woud so aggravate economic con- ditions as to make reforms easier. No one can afford to aid in making matters worse in the hope of being able to make them better afterwards for in so doing he assumes responsibilities which he may not be able to remedy. No Populist, however sanguline, believes it possible to elect a Populist President at this time, but the Populist party may be able to determine whether a Democrat a Republican will be elected. MT. Chairman the Populist convention, which your committee repre- sents. thought it better to share with the Democrats in the honor of securing some or the reforms desired by your party, than bear the odium of remaining neutral in this great crisis, of giving open or se- cret aid to the Republican party which op- poses all the reforms for which the Pop- ulistS contend.
 Takes Time for Reforms
 Those who labor to improve the condi- tions which surround their fellowmen are apt to become impatient; but they must remember that it takes time to work out these reforms. Let me illustrate by call ing your attention to the slow growth of public opinion in support of a proposition to which there has been practically no op- position. President Johnson in 1868, re- commended a constitutional amendment providing for the election of United States Senators by direct vote of the people, but his recommendation met with no response About twelve years later, General Weaver. then a member of Congress, tried to secure the passage of a resolution submitting such an amendment, but his efforts were futile. In 1892 the resolution recommended by President Johnson, and urged by Con- gressman Weaver, finally passed the House of Representatives but has not yet reach- ed vote in the Senate and now after eight more years of public discussion the propo- sition for the first time received the in dorsement of the national convention of one of the two parties If the fusion forces win victory this fall we shall see this