The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-09-18

attentive to the interests and good Of
the many
II the criminal laws are not sufficient
for the protection of property they can
be made more severe, but a citizen
charged with crime must have his case
. tried before jury of his peers.
Tee blacklist as now employed in
some places enables the employer to
place the employe under practical
independence when the employers can
not only discharge him, but prevent his
. securing any similar employment. The
blacklist enables employers to secure,
: by mutual agreement, that eontrol over
the wage earners which private
monopoly exercises without contract.
Arbitration.
The platform renews the demand for ar
bitration 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 i'm
partial court fer the just and equitable set
tlement of disputes. The demand for ar
bitration ought to be supported as heartily
by the public, which suffers Inconvenience
because of strikes and lockouts. and by the
employers themselves, as by the employees.
sure friendly relations between labor and
capital, and render obsolete the growing
practice of calling in the army to settle
labor troubles
Department of Labor.
I cannot too strongly emphasize the i'm
portance of the platform recommendation
of the establishment of department of
labor, with a member OF the Cabinet at
its head. When we remember how impor-
tant a position the laborer fills in our eco
nomic, social, and political fabric, 1t is
hard to conceive of valid objection being
made to this recognition of his services.
Agriculture is already represented in the
. Presidents 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. Cabinet officer
J.. truly representative OF the wage earning
class would be of invaluable aid, not only
to the toilers, but to the President.
Chinese Exclusion.
The Chinese Exclusion act has proven
an advantage to the country. and its con-
tinuanee and strict enforcement, as well as
Its extension to other similar races are i'm
perativoly necessary. The Asiatieeis so es~
sentially different from the American that
he cannot be assimilated with our pop1-
latioD, and is, therefore. not desirable as
a permanent citizen. His presence as
temporary laborer, preserving his national
identity, and maintaining a foreign scale
of wages and living, must ever prove an
injustice to American producers, as well as
q perpetual source Of irritation.
Pensions.
Tho ,,arf- a,-rressar its nrida ir, tba sol-
diers and sailors of all our wars, ard de-
clares its purpose to deal generousl,y- with
them and their dependents. A liberal
policy is natural and necessary in cov
ernment which depends upon a citizen
soldiery, instead OF large standing army,
SeIf-interest, as well as gratitude, com
pels the Government to make bountiful
provision for those who. in the hour OF
danger, and at great sacrifice of business.
health, and life, tender their services to
their country.
The pension laws should be construed
according to the generous spirit which
prompted their passage. The platform
yery 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. certificate given
now to the health of person forty years
ago. even if easily obtainable. should not
have as much weight as the certificate Of
the medical officer who examined the vol
unteer with view of aseeEtaining his
fitness for army service.
Nicaragua.
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 Re-
publican party to make any progress in
carrying out pledge contained in its
platform four years ago, together with
the substitution in its latest platform of
a PLANK favoring an isthmian canal for
specific declaration in favor of the Mic
araguan Canal, would indicate that the
Republican leaders either do not appTe-
eiate the Importance of this great water
way to the maritime strength and COM
mercial interests of the country. or that
they give too much consideration to the
interested opposition CT transcontinental
lines. The -Pauncefote Treaty. now
before the Senate would, if ratified
greatly lessen the value of the canal, If
II would not indeed convert it into
positive menace in time of war The
paramount interests of the United States
in the Western Hemisphere, together with
to the south Of US, makes il necessary
that our Government shall be able to
close the canal against any hostile power.
Arizona, New Mexico, and Oklahoma.
Arizona, New Mexico, and Oklahoma
have long been ready to assume the re-
sponsibilities and enjoy the privileges Of
statehood, and it viii be pleasure as well
as duty to carry out the platform pledge
concerning item.
Alaska and Porto Rioc.
There viii be popular acquiescence in
the demand for home rule and Territorial
form Of government in Alaska and Porto
Rico. Both are entitled to local self-gov-
ernment and representation in Congress.
Cuba.
The recognition contained in both the
Democratic and Republican platforms of
the right of the Cubans to Independence
removes the general principle involved
from the domain Of partisan politics. 1t is
proper, however, TO consider whether the
accomplishment of this purpose can
be safely entrusted TO the Republican par
ty after it has yielded TO the alIurements
Of the colonial idea and abandoned its ear
lier faith in the natural and inalienabIe
rights Of man.
Reclamation of Arid Lands.
The time is ripe for a systematic and
extended effort 10 reclaim the arid lands
and it them for actual settlers The last
agricultural report estimates that homes
can thus be provided for many millions OF
people. The impoundlng and use of the
waters which are wasted in the spring
would people the Western States with