The Montgomery tribune. (Montgomery City, Mo.) 1892-1910, 1900-10-05

been. Prosperity abounds
everywhere throughout the rcpub-
lie. / rejoice that the Southern as
well us the Northern states are en-
joying a full share of these inn
proved national conditions and
that all are contributing so largely
to our remarkable industrial de-
velopment. The money lender re-
cieves lower rewards for his capital
than II IL were invested in active
business. The rates of interest
are lower than they have ever been
In this country, while those things
which are produced on the farm
and in the workshop, and the la
Dor producing them, have advance
ed in value.
Unless something unforeseen oc-
ours to reduce our or in
crease our expenditures, the Con-
gress, at it's next session, should
reduce taxation very materially.
Five years ago we yer selling
government bonds bearing as high
as five per cent interest. Now we
are redeeming them with a bond
at par bearing 2 per cent interest.
In the unfortunate contest be-
tween Great Britain and the Boer
states of South Africa, the United
States has maintained an attitude
of neutrality in accordance with its
well-known traditional policy. II
did not hesitate, however, when
requested by the governments Of
the South African republics, to
crcise its good offices for a cessa-
ton Of hostilities. II is to be OBJ
seryed that while the South Afri-
can republics made like requests
of other powers, the United States
is the only one which complied.
Combination of capital which
control tie market in commodities
necessary to the general use of the
people, by suppressing natural and
ordinary competition, thus enhanc-
ing prices to the general consumer
are obnoxious to the common law
and the public welfare. They are
dangerous conspiracies against the
public good and should be made
the subject of prohibatory or penal
legislation.
The best service which can be
to labor is to afford 1t an
opportunity for steady and renu-
lucrative employment, and give it
every encouragement for advance
ment. The policy that subserves
this end is the true American pol
icy.
For labor, . short day Is better
than a short dollar; one will tighten
the burdens, the other lessen the
rewards of toll. The one will pro-
mote contentment and independ-
ence, the other penury and want.
The wages of labor should be ade-
quate to keep the home in comfort,
educate the children, and, with
thrift and economy, lay something
by for the days of infirmity and
old age.
We hold Porto Rico by the same
title as the Philippines. The treaty
of peace which coded us the one
conveyed to us the other. Con-
gress has given to this island a
government in which the inhabit-
ants participate, elect their OWL
Legislature, enact their own locaI
laws, provide their w system Of
taxation, and in these respects have
the same power and privileges
enjoyed by other territories be.
longing to the United States, anC
a much larger measure OF self
government than was given tn,
inhabitants of Louisiana undeI
Jefferson.
Under the new law and the in
~auguration of civil government
there has been a gratifying reviva
of business. The manufactures o
Porto Rico T developing: her i'm
ports are increasing; her tariff |
yielding increased returns: he
fields are being cultivated; fire
schools are being established. Not
withstanding the many embar
easements incident to a change O
national conditions she is rapid,
showing the good effects OF her neN
relations to this nation.
1t is my wish that Throughout
the negotiations entrusted to tn
commission, the purpose and spiri
with which the United States ac
cepted the unwelcome necessity 0
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