The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-09-18

skilled laborer loses his Independence
when the employers can not only dis
charge him. but prevent his securing any
similar employment. The blacklist en-
ables employers TO secure. by mutual
agreement, that control over the wage
earners which private monopoly exer-
cfses without contract.
Demand for Arbitration.
The platform renews the demand for ar
bltratfon between corporations and their
employees. No one who has observed the
friction which arises between great cor
porations and their numerous employees
can doubt the wisdom OF establishing an
impartial court for the Just and equitable
settlement OF disputes. The demand for
arbitration ought to be supported as
heartily by the public. which suffers In
convenience because OF strikes and lock-
outs. and by the employers themselves, as
by the employees. The establishment of ar
bitration Will insure friendly relations be-
tween labor and capital and render OBJ
soiete the growing practice of calling in
the army 10 settle labor troubles.
cannot too strongly emphasize the I'M
portance of the platform recommendation
or the establishment OF a department of
labor. with n member of the cabinet at its
head. when we remember how important
a position the laborer fills In our economic.
social and polite fabric, II is hard TO con-
ceive Of valid objection being made to
this recognition of his services. Agricul-
ture Is already represented I'm the presi-
dents official household: the army and
navy have their representatives there: the
state department. with its consular serv-
ice, and the treasury department. with its
close connection with fiscal affairs, keep
the executive In touch with the business
and commercial interests. A cabinet on
Ger truly representative Of the wage-earn-
ing class would be OF Invaluable aid. not
only to the toilers. but 10 the president.
Chinese Exclusion.
The Chinese exclusion act has proven
an advantage 10 the country, and its con-
tinuanee and strict enforcement. as well
as its extension to similar races.
are imperetively necessary. The Aslaiic
il SO essentially different from the Amer
lean that he cannot b. assimilated with
our population, and ia, therefore. not de-
sirabe as permanent citizen. His pres
ence as a temporary laborer, preserving
HIS national Identity and maintaining a
foreign scale Of wages and living, must
ever prove an injustice 10 American pro-
ducers. az well as perpetual source OF
irritation.
A. to Pensions.
The party expresses Its pride In the
declares Its purpose to deal generously
with them and their dependents lib
erai policy IL natural and necessary In
a government which depends upon citi-
zen soldiery. instead Of large standing
army. Self-interest. az well "a gratitude,
compeIs the government 10 make bounfi-
ful provision for those who. In the hour
OF danger and at great sacrifice Of busi-
ness, health and life. tender their SER
vIcea tn their country
The pension laws should be construed
according TO the generous spirit which
prompted their passage The platform
very properly reiterates the position
taken in 1896 that the fact OF enlistment
shall be deemed conclusive evidence that
the soldier was sound when the govern
ment accepted him. A certificate given
now TO the health OF a person 10 years
ago, even II easily obtainable. should not
have as much weight as the certificate
of the medical officer who examined the
volunteer with view OF ascertainin9
his fitness for army service.
Nicaragua Canal.
The Democratic party is in favor Of
the Immediate construction. ownership
and control OF the Nicaragua canal by
the United States. The failure OF the
Republican party TO make any progress
in carving out pledge contained I'm
with the substitution In Its latest plat
form OF plank favoring an isthmian
cana, for a specific declaration I'm favor
Of the Nicaraguan canal would Indicate
that the Republican leaders either do
not appreciate the Importance of this
great waterway 70 the maritime strength
and commercial interests of~the country.
or that they give too much consideration
TO the Interested opposition OF transcon-
tinental lines The HayPauncefote
treaty, now before the senate. would. IL
ratified, greatly lessen the value of the
canal n n would not indeed convert II
into a positive menace IN time Of war.
Tho paramount interests OF the United
states IN the Western hemisphere, to-
ge,her with the obligations TO denfend
the republics 20 the south of us makes
n necessary that our government shall
be able 10 close the canal against any
hostile power.
Arizona. New Mexico and oklahoma
have long been ready to assume the re-
sponsibllisies and enjoy the privileges OF
statehood, and II VIII he n pleasure. IA
well as n duty. to carry out the plat
form pledge concerning them.
Insular Possessions.
There will be a popular acunieEcence
Il, the demand for home rule and ter
ritorlai form Of government In Alaska
local self-cagernment and representation
In congress
The recognition contained In both the
Democratic and Republican platforms ~
the right % the Cubans 20 independence.
removes the general principle involved
from tho dominion ~ partisan politics.
I, Is proper. however 80 consider whether
the accomplishment Of this purpose can
DO safely iriri,sted % the Republican par
~ after u has Welded 20 the allurements
~ the colonial Idea. ana abandoned its
earlier faith IN the natural ard inalien-
abba rights OF man
Reclamation OF Arid LANDS.
The time Sc ripe Tor a systematic and
extended effort 60 reclaim the arid lands
and N them for actual settlers. The
last agricultural report estimates that
homes can thus be provided fGr many
m,ilicus Il people. The impoundlqg and
uee 80 the waters which are wasted IN
the spring would people the Western