The Washington times., 1901-12-01

merchants and tradesmen of moderate or
small means
That tendency must undermine the
sturdy independence of large bodies Of
American citizens, and may well be
deemed the most serious menace to the
moral and political welfare of the coun-
try. The time has come when our in
dustries. manufacturing as well as agri-
tural, which practically enjoy no protec-
tion. for the reason that their products
are exported. and because. whether or not
duties be levied in their favor. no compet-
ing products can be proftably imported
should be permitted to avail themselves Of
foreign markets to the fullest extent. As
they cannot do under existing restric
tions. Highly protected industries should
no longer be permitted to sell more
cheapIy to foreigners than to their own
countrymen. Fit and thorough relief can
be had only by amendment CT the present
tariff act But we shall favor such reci-
procity treaties as will reduce, even II
they do not altoget ther remove. the un
fair and oppressive burden of the present
system.
Porto Rico and Cuba.
Second-We shall favor just and gem
erous treatment of the inhabitants of
Porto Rico ana Cuba. American obliga-
tions to Cuba should be sacredly perform
ed. Having freed her from Spanish do
minion. and assumed over her a protec-
torate and even some of the preroRatives
of her sovereignty. we are bound by
every consideration of justice and gener-
osity % allow her the largest practicable
liberty of commercial intercourse with
our own country.
"Third-We are opposed to the subsidy
bll' presented at the last session as cal
culated 10 create a shipping monopoly.
We shall oppose the use in any form
,f the money OF all the people for the
exclusive beneSt of private interests.
"Fourth-We shall insist upon the sa
cred force OF the fundamental rule of
Democratic self government. Whatever
protectoratc over Eewly acquired islands
or lately conquered peoples may be necss-
sary for longer or a shorter time, what
ever limited sites for naval stations may
properly be retained or acquired by the
United States, We are opposed to an, in
corporation into our Republic OF other
lands or the assumption of sovereignty
over them. except as their inhabitants
may be fitted for such self government.
and except as the protection of our
Constitution no less than of our flag
may he extended to them with
safety to ourselves. We are opposed to
the establishment of any colonial or other
system, whereby the executive or mill
tary power of the United States may per-
manentiy rule masses of men outside the
sanctions and safeguards of the Constitu-
tion. Wherever the United States has as
sumed obligations they must, no doubt. be
fully met, but with the steadfast inten-
tion at the earliest practicable moment
to accord 10 the peoples OF other lands
now in our power the same right of self
government which we claim for our
selves"
steering Committee Named
The following resolution was offered by
Representative Finley of South Carolina:
Resolved, That the Hon. James D.
Richardson and the Democratic members
of the House Committee on Rules, when
appointed, and three members to be ap-
pointed by them, constitute a committee
to have in charge the control of the policy
OF the Democratic party in the House OF
Representatives, except as ordered by a
caucus OF the party"
Mr.. Bur;,son of Texas offered the fol-
loving:
Resolved That every Representative in
Congress participating IN the caucus shall
be governed by the action of said caucus
where same does not conflict with the dec
laration of principles ard policies set
forth in tia last platform adopted by the
Democratic party in national convention
assembled.
Resolved. That the best interests of
the Democratic party viii be subserved by
the membership of said parry in Congress
refraining from soliciting patronage at
the hands OF the Admins tration'
on The Money Question.
This resolution was presented by Rep
resentative Fitzgerald OF New York:
Resolved. That We oppose any inter-
ference with the existing standard of
values. That question has been settled
by repeated and overwhelming express
sions of popular sentiment, and must be
definitely closed by the statutory recog-
milton Of gold as the sole standard. The
Democracy Of New York has the very
greatest respect for their brethren who
for many years sought the establishment
Of bimetailic standard. But the inter
ests OF capital and labor alike, and above
all the interests of the wage -earners of
the country. forbid that the legal stand
ard of value be uncertain"
Representative Ncwlands of Nevada Of
fered this
Resolved. That an advisory committee
be selected consisting of one member
from each State. selected by the Demo-
cratic delegation OF such State, Of which
the leader Of the minority shall be chair
man and the NbiF zha II he eecratarys'