Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1900-09-13

strengthened The stability of our ma.
tional currency Is therefore secure as
long as those who adhere to this plat
form are kept in control of the govern
ment. In the first battle, that of 1896
the friends of the gold standard and Of
sound currency were triumphant and the
country Is enjoying the fruits of that
victory Our antagonists, however, are
not satisfied. They compel us to a Sec
ond battle upon the same lines on which
the first was fought and won. While
regretting the reopening Of this question
which can only disturb the present salts
factory financial condition of the govern.
ment and visit uncertainty upon our
great business enterprises, we accept the
issue and again invite the sound money
forces to join in winning another and we
hope permanent triumph for an honest
financial system which will continue In
violable the public faith.
The republican party remains faithful
to its principle of a tariff which sup
plies sufficient revenues for the govern
ment and adequate protection to our en-
terprises and producers; and of reciproc-
ity which opens foreign markets to the
fruits of American labor, and furnishes
new channels through which to market
the surplus of American farms. The
time-honored principles of protection and
reciprocity were the first pledges of
republican victory to be written into
public law.
The present congress has given to Alas
ka territorial government for which 1t
had waited more than quarter of a
century; has established representa-
tive government in Hawaii; has enacted
bills for the most liberal treatment Of
the pensioners and their widows; has re-
vived the free homestead policy. In Its
great financial law 1t provided for the
establishment of banks Of issue with a
capital of s250OO for the benefit Of vii
lagos and rural communities, and bring
ing the opportunity for profitable busi-
ness in banking within the reach Of mod
crate capital. Many are already avail
ing themselves of this privilege.
Instead of diminishing, as was pre-
dicted four years ago, the volume Of our
currency is greater per capita than 1t
has ever been. 1t was $2l.lO in 1896. 1t
had increased to $3.50 on July |, 1900,
and $26.@ on September l. 1900 Our total
money on July l. 1885, was s1,506 434, 1866;
on July |, 1900, It was $2062, 425, ,490; and
g. 096, ,6S3O42 on September /. 1900.
Our industrial and agricultural condi-
tions are more promising than they have
been for many years; probably more so
than they have ever been, Prosperity
abounds everywhere throughout the re-
public. rejoice that the southern as
well as the northern states are enjoying
a full share of these improved national
conditions and that all are contributing
so largely to our industrial development.
Our foreign trade shows a satisfactory
and increasing growth. The amount Of
our exports for the year 1900 over those
of the exceptionally prosperous year Of
1899 was about half million dollars for
every day Of the year, and these sums
have gone into the homes and enterprises
of the people. There has been an in
crease of over SO,O000O In the exports Of
manufactures and in the products of the
mines of over slO,0OOOOO.
III tne unfortunate contest DttWteH
Great Britain and the Boer states Of
South Africa the United States has
maintained an attitude of neutrality in
accordance with its well known tradi-
tional policy. 1t did not hesitate, how
ever when requested by the South Afri-
can republics to exercise its good Offices
for cessation of hostilties. 1t is
to be observed that while the South AZ
rican republics made like request of other
powers, the United States is the only one
which complied. The British government
declined to accept the intervention Of any
power
A subject Of immediate Importance to
our country is the completion Of a great
waterway Of commerce between the
Atlantic and Pacific. The construction Of
a maritime canal is now more than ever
to that intimate and ready
communication between our eastern and
western seaports demanded by the an
nexation Of the Hawaiian islands and the
expansion of our influence and trade In
the Pacific. Our national policy more
lmperatively than ever calls for its COM
pletion and control by this government;
and 1t is believed that the next session
Of congress. after receiving the full re-
port Of the. commission appointed under