The age-herald., 1901-05-06

The past six years have witnessed the Democrats of this country fighting among themselves, with the result that the Re publican party has won signal, but unde- served victories. Never have the oppo- nents of Republican principles and Re publican practices seemed better armored for the conflict, and if sane judgment and ordinary discretion prevail victory must perch upon our banners. There Is no question in my mind that If the will of the vast majority of the voters of this country could be registered tomorrow and their Judgment obtained on the pol icies of the present administration, an emphatic nd decisive "No' would be the answer.
 When we consider the present trend of business in this country and reflect upon the arrogant and insolent manner in which the wealth of the country Is ab- sorbing very industry and closing up ev- cry legitimate opportunity for the young man to earn competency, well may we assure ourselves that the time has come to throw off the shackles that prohibit us the enjoyment of those essential and natural opportunities which are the in- herent birthright of every American cit- izen a result of the vast agricultural and industrial resources with which the country is blessed
 Popular sentiment Is rightly against the Republican party. The vast majority of the people of this country today do not believe In a standing army of 100. .000 men. Public sentiment in my judgment, does not sustain the present administration In the conduct of the war now going on in the Philippine Islands. The people of the United States will not sustain the ex- travagant appropriations of the last Re- publican Congress, when more than bill lion and half of the peoples money was appropriated for various purposes.
 The people believe that the government should enact legislation, if none now ex- ists. to prevent the amalgamation and consolidation of the great business inter- ests of the country into one gigantic trust and monopoly. In fact, the Ameri- can people, In my judgment are dfsgusted with the policies and purposes of the Republican party whether in municipal, State or National affairs.
 From every platform in the country Re- publican orators are found inveighing against the rule of Tammany in New York city, but every thoughtful citizen knows that no good has ever emanated from the Republican machine in New York. which Is dominated and controlled by the greatest Republican boss in the country, Thomas c. P1att. The doings of the Republican Legislature in Penn sylvania, under the dictatorship of Mat thew s. Quay, are a scandal and a blot upon American citizenship. It is well known and undisputed fact that the Re- publican machine of Philadelphia car ries upon the rolls of the city 0.000 fraud ulent names, and the Republican machine is solidly entrenched in power through the corruption practiced by these men on election day.
 The history of American politics can be searched in vain to find similar action to that recently carried out by the Penn slyvania Legislature In depriving two of the largest cities in Pennsylvania of the right of local self-government The peo- pie of both these cities are not permitted to have anything to say about the selec-