Washington sentinel., 1900-06-23
Inc Republican PLATFORM

power on a gold standard, high
tariff platform. The Republican
party, it is pointed out, has re.
deemed its pledges-has enacted
gold standard legislation and
protective tariff law-and now, it
is asserted, the country is enjoying
period OF unexampled prosperity.
The platform conveniently ignores
the fact that under the present Ad-
ministTation, with its Dingley
Tariff act, trusts have increased
and multiplied as never before.
While our manufacturers control
the "home market" the consumers
who make that market so valuable
are in the power of monopolies.
The platform also ignores the fact
that gold standard legislation was
delayed until the last moment and
was coupled with a bond refund
ing scheme the wisdom oil which
has yet to be demonstrated.
Ii is not denied that there has
been great increase in the volume
OF our export business in the last
few years. But the world does not
buy our agricultural products or
manufactures because here is a
Republican Administration at
Washington. Crops do not fail
abroad and increase the demand
for our grain in order that Europe
may thus testify its confidence in
the Republican party. And if our
manutacturedproducts are eagerly
sought abroad it is because they
are better than goods Of FOREIGN
manufacture and are sold as cheap
and perhaps cheaper. Under our
tariff system the European con-
sumner Of American products fares
better than the consumer in the
United States. He is not COM
Pelled to pay the bonus to the
manufacturer which is extorted
from Americans by our Dingley
act.
In declaring the "steadlast op-
position" of Republicans to the
free and unlimited coinage OF silver
the platform sets forth that, de.
spite the gold standard legislation
recently enacted, "the election of
Democratic President could not
fail to impair the country's credit
and to bring once more into ques-
ton the intention OF the American
people to maintain upon the gold
standard the parity OF their money
circulation" With Republican
maj jority in the Senate for the next
four years there is no danger of
any change in our financial system
unless Republican Senators should
cooperate with the advocates OF
free silver coinage. The Republi-
can party, therefore, cannot expect
voters who oppose its policy of inn
perialism, milItarism and iavorit-
ism to the trusts to be frightened
into supporting it from fear OF a
disturbance Of our financial system
within the next four years. There
is a strong sound money majority
in the Senate which will be able to
save the country from any attack
upon the gold standard.
The platform condemns all
conspiracies and combinations in
tended to restrict business, to
create monopolies, to limit pro
duction or to control prices" at
faVors such legislation as effec-
lively restrain and prevent all such
abuses, protect and promote COM
petition and secure the rights OF
producers, laborers and all who
engaged in commerce and indus
trY." The most effective remedy
against those trusts which are the |
outcome of our high tariff system |
is the reduction Of tariff duties, but
as the platform expressly COM
mends the tariff act under which
trusts multiply and become more
powerful it is plain that Republi-
can condemnation of tariff made
monopolies is purely Pickwickian.
Republican professions Of hostility
10 the gigantic combinations which
control American industries are
mere Sound and fury" signifying
nothing as long as tariff schedules
ire framed with the.view OF adding
% the strength Of the trusts.
The platform promises that the
pledges Of independence and self
government for Cuba shall be re-
leemed to the letter. This pledge
vas made more than two years ago,
nd il is high time that it should
'e something more than an empty
Meaningless declaration. Mr.. Nc
linley is still the autocrat of Cuba,
nd the island is under the rule OF