Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1900-08-22

single honest attempt OF republican Of
ficials to enforce the laws now upon
our statute books against the most
stupendous commercial evil known to
any period of our history. The demo-
cratic party stands pledged TO an un-
ceasing warfare against private mo-
nopOly in every form. II demands the
enforcement OF existing laws against
trusts and the enactment OF laws yet
more stringent. It wisely demands pub
licity as to the affairs OF corporations
engaged in interstate commerce. AS
one means to the important end OF cur
failing the power of trusts, We favor
such amendment OF our tariff laws as
will place the product of trusts upon
the free list, and thereby prevent mo-
nopoly under the plea of protection.
During almost four years of republican
control of all departments of the gov
ernment, the trust evil has grown to
it's present overshadowing proportions.
What finger has been lifted for its sup
preston? With its friends again in
trenched in power what hope is held
out for the future?
RAILROAD DISCRIMINATION.
AT this hour / can but allude in brief
words to other needed reforms to which
the attention of the country il called
by the democratic platform. Prominent
among these, is such enlargement of
the scope of interstate commerce law
as Will protect the public from unjust
transportation rates, and individuals
from unfair discriminate AS is we'll
known this law has failed to effect the
wise purpose for which it was enacted.
In fact. it is now little more than a
dead letter upon the statute books. Tn
der well-considered amendments the
commission should be vested with am
pie power to prevent injustice to indi-
viduals and to the public.
LABOR AND PENSIONS.
Our platform fayors the creation of a
department of labor. whose chief officer
shall take rank with other constitution
advisers of the president. This is in
the interest Of justice and will prove
an important step looking to the prope,
recognition and encouragement of the
producers of wealth.
In explicit terms in favors liberal
pensions TO our soldiers and sailors and
to those dependent upon them.
With equal justice it reiterates the
demands of former democratic plat
for for bn1e tallism: the restoration of
silver To its proper function in our mon
etary system:
For the protection of the home laborer
ii demands the enforcement of the Chi
nese exclusion act:
FANORS NICARAGUAN CANAL
And i'm the interest OF an enlarged
commerce Il faV)rs the Immediate con-
stIuctton of the Nicaragua canal. This.
however with the provision that ii
shall remain forever under the exciu-
siVe ownership and control of the Unit
cd Statesa The pending Hay-Paun ,e-
fote treaty IL condemned as a sure L.
Ges of American rights, Ret to be toll
"r9 ii by he a R ,'tC=sn -t5eGple. IN
the construction and control 'of this
great work ther, can be no concession
of right TO any European power. Con-
mercial interest and national safety in
time of war. alike demand it's perma-
nent ownership by our government
THE PARAMOUNT ISSUE.
\ question is yet to be discussed. TO
which all Of these are of secondary inn
Iortance. 1t is solemnly declared by
our platform to be the paramount is
sue. Questions of domestic policy how
ever important, may be but questions
of the hour-that of Imperialism is for
time. In the presence OF this Stupen-
'dous issue, others seem but as the dus.
iii the balance. In no serse paltering
with words. it is the supreme question
of republic or empire The words OF
the eminent republican. senator. Mr..
Hoar, challenge attention: II believe
that perseverance in this policy will be
the Abandonment of the principles upon
which our government is founded: that
1t will change our government into ar
empire; that our methods of legislation
of diplomacy, of administration. must
hereafter be those which belong to en-
pires, and not those which belong tC
republics"
Upon every phase of our foreign pol.
icy, the language of the democratic
platform is too clear to admit of mis-
construction. 1t favors trade expansion
by all peaceful and lawful means.
A.. SspT,TrJ WITT
We believe that liberty, as well as
the constitution. follows the flag. Dem
ocrats in common with many republic
ans. oppose the Porto Rican law as q
violation of the constitution. and fla
grant breach of good faith toward q
dependent people. 1t is imposing gov.
ernment without the consent of the gov
erned. 1t is in conflict with that pro
vision of the constitution which de
clares that Duties. imports and excise:
sholl be uniform throughout the United
States" Believing that this constitu.
tional provision applies to every par
of the United States, We condemn tht
tariff taxation imposed by a republican
congress upon the helpless and distress
ed people of Porto Rico. Such legis
| lation-inspired solely by greed-is in
deed the harbinger of evil to the re
public. The attempt to collect take.
with one hand, and with the other t.
return them in part to a plundere(
people. is utterly without constitution
al warrant or justification. We Civ.
our, earnest assent to the declaration
Our plain duty is to abolish all Gus
toms tariffs between the United State.
| and Porto Rico, and give her products
access to our markets" No party exi
gency or pressure could justify a de
parture by the president from the plail
| pathway of duty he had here so clear
ly indicated The law imposing tarif
| is in paIpable violation of the constitu
| tion. and fragrant breach of tn
! pledged faith of the nation.
DEPLORES SPIRIT OF EMPIRE.
The democratic platform condemns
the policy pursued by the present ad
ministration toward the Philippine isl
| ands This policy-inspired by tn,
greedy spirit of commercialfsnl-ha,
embroiled our government in an unnec
essary war, sacrificed valuable lives
and placed the American republic il
deadly antagonism TO our former allie
| in their efforts to secure their liberties
| For the first time in our history we ar,
boldly confronted with the question o
''imperialism-the spirit of empire"
| This is, indeed, the supreme question
TO which all others are of secondary i'm
| portance. Before We break irrevocabl,
with the past and abandon the doc
| trines of the fathersi II s, well that W,
] deliberate upon the consequences of
Ipermanent departure from the settle,
| governmental policy of more than
| century. The success of the imperial
| istic policy foreshadows the empire
! Shall the closing hours OF the centur,
/ witness the American people abandon