The Portland daily press., 1900-10-11
Republican Economic
Policies INDICATED.
The Full Dinner Pail Not a
SOrdid Emblem.

New York, October 10.-Gen. Benjamin
Harrison gave out an interview and state
ment tonight. He was asked:
rs it true, General, that you have con-
sented to make some speeches IN the cam
paignY'
'No, that statement has not been au-
thorized by me, - was his answer
= have said to every one who has spok-
en- or written to me on the subject that
I could DO no more campaign work.
began to make Republican speeches the
year I began to vote and have had a Ia
borious, If unimportant part in every
campaign, state and national since, IN
til 1873. In 1896 I submitted myself to
very hard usage and then made up my
mind and so said to my friends--that
would do no more campaigning. Follow
ing this conclusion, [ declined to take a
speaking part in the campaign Of 1898.
My retirement dates from that year, not
from this. Few men have made more
speeches for their party than have and
no ex-President, 1 am sure, has made so
many. Since L left Washington my re-
tirement from all participation in party
management has been complete. All
that 1 have left to others and think
that they have very generally and kindly
accepted my sense Of the prOprieties Of
the case-at least between campaigns In
word, I have vacated the choir loft and
taken seat in the pews with deep
sense of gratitude to my forbsaring fell
low countrymen.
But, General, 1t is said that you are
not altogether IN accord with your
perty?''
swell, 1 have heard that my silence
was imputed by some to that cause.
Now, the only public ntterancs 1 have
made in criticism of the policies of the
party was contained IN the interview
consisting OF one rather short sentence
that 1 gave to the newspapers while the
Porto Rico bill was pending. 1t was in
substance, that 7 regarded the bin as
grave departure from right principles. 1
still think so. 1 Go not believe that the
Legislative power of Congress in the
territories is absolute and do not be-
lieve that the revenue clause relating to
duties and imports, applies to Porto
Rico. These views I know, are not held
by many able lawyers. It is a legal ques-
ton, one that the political departments
of the government cannot fully adjudge.
The final and controlling word upon
this question Is with the Supreme Court
of the United States. Cases Involving the
question are, I understand, pending and
the decision in which we an must ac-
quiesee cannot be much deferred. 1
think, therefore, that voters ought to
vote with view to the right decision
of those questions that are directly and
finally in the control Of the President and
Congress.
"The general reasons I gave in my
Carnegie hail speech in 1896 why Mr..
Bryan should not be elected, still hold
good with me. His election would, 1
think, throw governmental and business
affairs into confusion. We should not
aid the election Of President who
/ MOu4Ug EALl1OlCQtIs IL uc COA4Us Q00bLO9
the GOLD, standard and other things that
we value even more, upon the deceptive
suggestion that he has been bound and
that the Republican party VIII after
defeat still have strength to save the
temple. It will be much better not to
allow the man with destructive tenden-
c;es so much as to lean against It's
pillars.
perhaps Is viii save you much
trouble, if 1 give you, and underwrite as
of this date this extract from my Car
negie Hall speeehs
50 'When. we have a President who be-
LEV es that it is neither his. right nor his
duty to see that the nail trains ara not
INSTRUCTED, and that interstate COM
meroe has IFS free way, irrespective OF
state lines and courts that fear to use
their ancient and familiar vrits to re-
strain and punish law breakers, free
trade and free silver viii be appropriate
accomplishments Of such an administra-
ton and cannot aid appreciably to the
national distress OF the national dishonor.
The economic policies of the Repub-
ncan party have been indicated by the