The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1901-06-25
FoRAKERs SPEECH.
Ohio Senator Clearly Defines Issues
Between Dominent Parties.

4 y
In assuming the temporary chair
manship of the convention Senator
Foraker said:
Gentlemen of the convention:
Our approaching election will be
the most important held this year in
the United States. 1t is but state
election in name, but it will be dis
tinctively national in both character
and Importance.
The legislature chosen this year will
be charged with the duty Of electing q
United States senator and re-district-
ing the state for representation in
congress.
We now have two republican SEN
ators and seventeen republican mem
bers in the house of representatives.
II the next legislature should be dem
ocratic, we will have but one senator
and not more than twelve republican
congressman, and probably not more
than ten-the number we we're al
lowed the last time democratic leg
islature gerrymandered the state-and
this reduced representation in the
national house Of representatives
would be fastened upon us,not simply
for the next congress, but for the next
ten years, making net loss to us Of
not less than twenty-five votes in con-
gress for the neN decade.
1t is this fact that gives the cam
paign upon which we are entering its
national character, and thrusts upon
US, whether we would have it so or
not, the discussion and consideration
Of national policies and national ques-
tons; and It is for this reason that
every vote cast in our state next Nov
ember will be a vote for or against
the administration of William Nc
Kinley, just as certainly and emphat-
ically as though he were again our
candidate this year as he was last;
for we must of necessity, by the action
we take, endorse his work and give
him encouragement or discredit his
record and embarrass his efforts.
M'kinley's Administration.
His first administration was trium-
phantly successful, but it could not
have been so had it not been sup
ported by q republican congress.
His second administration can be, and
will be, even more illustrious than
his first If we give him that same sup
port, but it cannot be, ana will not
be so, If we withhold it.
All this might be truthfully said as
to the election Of members of congress
from any state, but it is particularly
true when spoken of Ohio.
This is the Presidents own state.
In population, wealth, intelligence,
and influence we stand in the very
forefront. Ohio represents the aver
age sentiment of all the states. When
she speaks the whole country gives
heed. Our influence affects the presi-
dent, and anects congress, affects
public opinion, affects public policies,
determines public questions, and pro-
notes or retards the public welfare.
The achievements of the past four
years are still in large measure in
complete and insecure.
We have unexampled prosperity,
but q democratic wave would blight
1t.
We have unheard Of combinations
of capital against which the rights
of the people must be guarded without
destroying our industries, or retarding
our development.
We have added new lustre to our
arms. and new glory to our flag, but
an application of democratic policies
would tarnish the one and dim the
other.
We have expended our limits, ad.
vanced our Jurisdiction, and assumed
new responsibilities, but democratic
ascendancy at this time would mean
abandonment, retreat, and national
humiliation.
This is not imagination but serious
fact, The record shows it.
Harrison's Administration
At the close Of BENJAMIN Harrison'e
administration we were more pros
porous than we had ever been before
in all our history. We had never
i! known such business activity, such
universal employment, such diversity
OF occupation. such contentment, sucl
widespread happiness. such nationa