The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-06-26
lOontInued from Second Column.
serves produce in return Tor irse foreig

serves produce in return for ir>e foreign
markets.
la the further interest Of American
workmcu. we favor more effective re-
slricuon o., the immigration Of cheap
labor from foreign lands. the extension
OF opportunities OF education for work
ne children. the raining OF the age limit
for child labor. the protection OF free
labor as against contract convict labor
and am effective system OF labor insur-
ancc
Our present dependence on foreign ship
ping for nine-tenths OF our foreign car
rying ls "a great loss TO the industry OF
this country. II "a also serious danger
10 our trade. for its sudden withdrawal
I'm the event of European war would Sc
rloualy cripple our expanding foreign
commerce The national defense and
naval efficiency OF this country, more
over. supply "a compelling reason for leg
islation which viii oiNblc rs 10 recover
our former place among the trade car
rying netts of the world.
Tho nation owes "a debt Of profound
gratitude to the soldiers md sailors who
have fought its battles. and Il is the gov
eminent duty To- provide for the sur
vivOrs and for the widows and orphans
OF those who have fallen in the cOuntry'S
wars. Tho pension laws. founded on this
just sentiment should be liberal and
should bc literally administered. and
preference should be given wherever
practicable with respect To- employment
in the public service 10 soldiers and sail
ors and 10 their widows and orphans.
AppInuding the CiyiI Service.
We commend the policy OF the Re-
.ls.fI .ls.fr Na a..
nciency of the civil service. The admin
istration has acted wisely IN its effort
10 secure for public service In Cuba,
Porto Rico Hawaii and the Philippine
Islands only those whose fitness has been
determined by training and experience.
We believe that employment In the pub
lie service In these territories should be
confined ns Tar AZ practicable to their
Inhabitants.
u was the plain purpose Of the If
teenth amendment TO the constitution TO
prevent discrimination on account Of race
or color I'm regnrd 20 the elective fran
chisc. Devices Of state governments,
whether by statutory or constitutional
enactment 10 avoid the purpose OF this
amendment are revolutionary and should
be- condemned.
Public movements looking 20 a perna-
nent Improvement Of the roads and high
ways Of the country meet with our coy
dial approval. and we recommend this
subject to the earnest consideration OF
the people and Of the legislatures OF the
several states.
We favor the extension OF the rural free
delivery service wherever its extension
may be justified.
Ia further pursuance Of the constant
policy Of the Republican party 10 pro-
vide free homes on the public domain,
we recommend adequate national legisla-
ton. 10 reclaim the arid lands Of the Uni
ted States, reacryiug control OF the dis
tsibution of water for irrigation TO tho
respective states and territories.
We favor home rule for and the early
admission 20 statehood Of the territories
Of New Mexico. Arizona and oklahoma.
The Dlnglcy act. amended 10 provide
sufficient revenue for the conduct Of the
war. has so well performed its work that
Il has been possible 20 reduce the war
debt In the SUM Of $1,000 oo0. SO ample
are the governments revenues and so
great Is the public confidence In the in
tegrty Of its obligations that its newly
funded per cent bonds sell at a pre-
MUM. The country is now justified In ex-
pecting and 1t viii be- the policy Of the
Republican party 10 bring about a re-
duction OF the war taxes.
We favor the construction, ownership,
control and protection OF an ishthmian
canal by the government of the United
States. New markets are necessary for
the increasing surplus Of our farm pro-
ducts Every effort should be made 10
open and obtain new markets, especially
IN tho orient. and the administration Is
warmly 90 be- commended for It's success
ful effort TO commit all trading and col
Ouizing nations TO the policy Of the open
door In China In the interest Of our
expanding commerce We recommend that
congress create department OF COM
merce and Industries. in the charge Of a
secretary. with seat IN the cabinet. The
United States consular system should be
reOrganizcd under the supervision, OF this
new department upon such basis OF
appointment and tenure as Will render II
still more scrviceable to the nations in
croasing trade.