Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1900-09-01

tiihi
result it is shown that the value of all
farm products has enormously increased.
the value of the corn crop alone in 1899
being $l4O. 600. 900 greater than in 1896.
ducts the increase is equally striking.
In farm animals the increased value IA
even more plainly shown, the value OF
sheep IN farms having doubled since
the low tariff years 1895 and 1896 and
the value of all farm animals being in
the year 1900 nearly 800. 900. 900 greater
than in 1896.
The prosperity of the laboring men is
equally clear and striking. Reports
from state and national labor bureaus
, and organizations are quoted, showing
of the late years of depression, and in
dicatins increased employment and ad-
vance in wages in all lines of industry.
The reports of the state labor bureaus
in the great manufacturing and indus
trial centers show marked Improvement
both in the number of employees, hours
Of employment and wages paid. This is
especially marked in the manufacturing,
mining and transportation interests, a
large increase in the wages of railway
employees, of me- employed in the coal
and iron mines, and those engaged in
all lines of manufacturing being shown.
One interesting fact which is shown Is
that the purchasing power of age has
ranged higher during President Mckin-
time in the history of the country. This
fact is clearly sustained by official fig
ures which bring the "Aldrich Report
down to date and show from official data
that the purchasing ro"er of wages was
never so high as during the years since
the inauguration Of President Mckinley.
The trus: question is frankly and Wig
orously considered. Official records Of
legislation show that the republican
party is the only one which has cour-
ageously undertaken the task Of con-
trolling trusts by national legislation.
The republican party placed upon the
statute books the only effective piece
of legislation ever created for this pur-
pose-the Sherman antitrust law-but
as to enable the enactment of additional
legislation. while supported by all repub-
~licans. was defeated by democratic votes
In the Fifty-sixth congress ana thus the
only available method of assuring ma
tional control of this subject was re-
tected by the democratic party. The
fallacy of the frequently repeated asser-
ton that trusts are the product of pro-
lection is proved by a series of state
ments which show the existence for many
years of trusts in England II other
low tariff countries.
The leading events of the three years
of President McIkinley's administration
are reviewed.; the enactment of the pro-
tective tariff. which was accomplished
since Washington's first term; the en-,
actnient of the gold standard law; The
Pacific railroad settlements; the annex
alton of Hawaii and the war with SPAR
and the results which followed. Conc
tions in Cuba are discussed and tn,
preparations for giving the island com
plete independence outlined. The Port,
/, Rican legislation is reviewed. with tn
, assertion that the enactment of the tarit
law was FOR the best interests. not alon
:, for the citizens of Porte Rico, who ar
:. the direct be~neticiaries from the none
;, so collected, but especially of labor in tn
:. United States. which is thus assured tina
the republican party will insist upon it
;, right to legislate with reference to tn
relations Of newly added territory &C
j, cording to circumstances and require
ments.
The so-called issue Of "imperialism"
answered with "A series Of historical state
6 ments which show that the course whic
4 the United States is following in tn
Philippines and Porto Rico Is far MOI
generous than that accorded to poop
- under similar conditions by the demo
), cratic party in the numerous addition
% which it has made to the territory {
the United States. The attitude of Jel
"a ferson, Jackson, Polk and Pierce in the
# treatment of the people of the territorie
~. controlled by military force under the
-, administrations is cited from unquestiol
able historical data, showing that II
=, imperialism practised by these distii
euiShed democrats WAS far more entitle