The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-06-20

SENATOR Z. o. WOLCOTE
tions of the world. Above and be-
yond all, there is no man who lapors
with his hands, in all our Droau uo
main, who cannot find work, ana the
scale of wages was never in our MS
tory as high as now.
HAWAIIAN ISLANDS.
For half a century the Hawaiian
Islands, a menace to the long line OF
coast which skirts our Paclhc slope,
have been knocking for admission as
part of our territory, and during tndI
period the publicly expressed opinion
of both political parties favored thelr
annexation. Four times have tney
been occupied by European powers,
and as often have we compelled their
abandonment because 1t was essential
that they should never be occupied
by any foreign power. Finally, after
years of misgovernment by native rul-
ers, the gallant descendants of Amerl-
can merchants and missionaries maze
proffer again of these valuable pos
sessions to this country, asking only to
come under our flag and dominion. A
Democratic president repudlated the
offer, and sought to assist in restoring
the former corrupt and oppressive
ruler. 1t was left for this administra-
tiOn to make them a part of American
territory. They are on the way to our
islands in the southern seas; every in
stinct of self-proteCtion should have
prompted our quick acceptance of their
sovereignty, and yet they were ac-
quired in spite of the bitter opposition
of almost every Democrat in congress.
Whenever Republican administra-
tion is in power there is constant talk
of trusts. The reason isn't far to seek.
Aggregations and combinations of
capital find their only encouragement
in prosperous days and widening COM
merce. Democratic administration in
this country has universally meant in
dustrial stagnatiOn and commercial
depression, when capital seeks hid
ing place instead of investment. The
Republican party has always main
tanned that any combination having
for it's purpose the cornering of a mar
ket or the raising or controlling of the
price of the neceSsarieS of life was
unlawful and should be punished, and
a commission appointed by the presi-
dent under act of congress has made
careful Investigation and will soon
present full report of the best meth
cd of dealing with this intricate ques-
tion. We shall meet it in some etli-
| cient way, and as a party, shall have
| the courage to protect every class of
| our citizens. There was never a better
| time to deal with it than now, when
| there isn't in this broad land a man
willing to work who doesn't find en-
| ployment at fair wages and when the
clamor of the agitator who seeks con-
| fiscation and not regulation, falls on
| dead ears and finds no response from
the artisans in our busy workshops.
THE CURRENCY QUESTION.
The campaign four years ago was
| fought on the currency question. The
| Populistic Democracy insisted that the
| United States alone should embark on
| the free coinage of silver at the ratio
| of 16 to l without waiting the con-
currence of any other nation. The Re
publican party insisted that the ques-
| tOn of bimetalliSm was international,
and that until it should be settled un-
der agreement with the leading COM
mercial nations of the world, gold
should continue to be the standard of
value in these United States. Upon
! that issue we triumphed. In accord
ance with the pledge of the party an
honest effort was made to reach some
| international solution of the question
The effort failed of accomplishment
The :1intS of the countries of Europe
were open for the coinage of gold
alone, The vast discoveries of Alaska
: SOulH Africa, ana the states OF Out
own country, have furnished a stead
lily increasing volume of gold, and
with the recent European action, have
demonstrated that the question is one
calling for international action by al
the great countries of the world, and
if ever entered into, must be by such
| concurrent action of the leading com.
mercial nations as shall secure per,
| manence of relative value to the two
metals. Meanwhile we follow the path
of safety. AS we grow year by yeal
! more firmly established as a creditor
nation, the question concerns us less
and other countries more. No impair.
| ment of national credit can be con.
| templated by an honorable nation. We
have made advances enough; this
country can better afford than am
other to enter upon the contest fol
commercial supremacy with gold az
its standard, and for us the time ha!
come to give fair notice to the work
that we, too, make gold our STANDARD
and redeem our obligations in tha
metal FIR twelve years the platforms
of the party have declared in favol
of the use of gold and silver as money
The logic of recent events, together
with the attempt of the Democracy Z
drag down the question from its inter
national character to associate 1t witt
every vagary of Populism and Social
ism, and to drive this country into al
alliance with Mexico and China, as al
exclusively silver using country, hai
impelled our people to this settlemen
of this problem and the recent actor
Of congress has eliminated the DANCE
which its further agitation menaced.
WAR REVENUE RELIEF.
There is more to follow this sum
mary of a few OF the leading meas
urp9 nnSSa1 Inv a RaDltbltoaO nonUrao
and approved by a Republican presi
dent. Before the expiration of MI
McKinley's first term we shall hav
passed law relieving certain arti
Giles from a portion at least of tn
burdens they now carry because o
the War Revenue act, and meanwhil
we have, out of surplus revenues, al
ready paid and called In for cancella
tion 43 millions of outstanding bonds