The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-10-04
Circulntion statcmcnt.
The Massachusetts Democracy.

Unlike their party brethren in some
other States. the Massachusetts Demo
Gratis have deemed it proper to state
their position with some degree Of full
ness upon national issues. Whether
the contest is made upon local OF ma
tioual questions, the Democrats of the
Old Bay state have no chance of win
ming this year, and hence there was no
point in failing TO make their declara-
lions clear and strong upon matters of
national import. The financial qUes-
ton is ignored. as was to be expected.
This is a recognition Of the obvious
fact that under existing conditions the
money question is not a political issue.
The platform opposes colonial impe-
rialism and demands that the efforts
of our Government shall be directed
toward preparing the people OF the
Philippines for the speediest and Iarg-
est measure of self-governmeut. and for
ultimate Independence. under the pro-
lection of the United States. The hrst
of these propositions is right as far as
it goes. The Filipinos should have
the largest practicable measure of self
government as speedily Is possible. but
il should be under the Constitution Of
the United States-which qualification
the platform Omits. Probably il is be-
cause il proceeds upon the theory that
the islands are ultimately 10 be indie
pendent under American protection.
This. however. is looking a long way
ahead. and dealing with q matter that
involves many complex problems. 1t
- more than likely that if the Fill
pinOs be given d fair measure Of self
government under the Constitution. by
the time they are prepared for indie
pendence they viii not desire it For
the present il is better for US 10 deal
with the question of Imperialism pure
and simple
The platform favors reciprocity. the
regulation OF the trusts through Off
ciaI inspection and publicity. and the
placing upon the free list Of such prod
UcJs as are controlled by mOnOp0lies.
Upon all Of these points the Massachu-
sets Democrats state their position
clearly, tersely, and impressiyely.
Their position. moreover. is a conszrva-
tive one. There IS nothing said that
need fTiEhJeu any honest manufacturer
OF producer doing a legitimate business
With reference to reciprocity. they put
themselves straight in line with the
last public utterances Of Mr. Mckinley
In dealing with the trusts they distin-
guish clearly between those c0mbina-
lions Of capital that are designed mere
ly FOR facility and economy Of prOduc-
ton, and the trust corm0rants that
are intended TO corner markets and
control prices. The platform is in no
sense free trade manifesto. 1t merely
strikes at the abuses Of the present
tariff system-abUses which are indie
feasible upon either sound commercial
principles OF any consideration OF natu-
raj justice.
The Hanna-Frye Snip Subsidy
scheme is also strongly antagonized
and met with the c0unter-propssition
Of building up thu ocean marine by adj
hitting free Of duty those materials
which enter into the construction and
repai Of ship. The fairness and ef
feoLl luess Of this latter policy are
scarce open 10 question NOTHING
l. I- be more inconsistent and absart
than for men to plead patheticauy fOl
the rehabilitation Of our marine inter
ests. and at the same time insist upon
excluding from the country by a pro
hibitive tariff the materials that ar,
absolutely necessary for the economi
cal construction Of ships Upon IL,
whole, the Massachusetts Democrat.
have spoken well