The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-08-22
BABCOCK,S CAMPAIGN BOOK.

SOISI eSStIldH bdD-tCS, CHAIRMAN OF
the republican campaign committee,
has had to recall his campaign text
book for the purpose of making some
alterations. 1t is said that President
Roosevelt, who is greatly dissatisfied
with the book, is the cause of this ac-
ton on the part of Chairman Babcock.
The objections to the book were: First,
there was no. where to be found in it
one word about reciprocity with Cuba.
This, Of course did not at all suit the
president. He ook upon his meas
ure as a pledge made to the Cubans by
his party and as being Incorporated in
it's principles, although congress re-
fused to so consider it. This idea is
not at all pleasing to the republican
leaders in congress-; that is, to those
who are under the domination of the
trusts. These republicans are
afraid to have the question of Cuban
reciprocity discussed in the congress
sional campaign this fall. They are
afraid to have ventilated upon the
stump the conduct of their party in
this matter. 1t is said even thai those
republicans h stood by the president
and favored the reciprocity bill are
anxious to keep as much in the back
ground as possible the division that
exists in their party on this question.
The presidents great dissatisfaction
with this feature of the book has
caused mucn uneasiness among those
n are trying to keep this issue out
of the campaign. They are afraid that
he, during his tour this fall will agitate
this question. They may we'll be un-
easy, too: for Mr.. Roosevelt has de-
clared that reciprocity with Cuba shal
come; that his party is pledged to it,
and he will leave nothing undone to
have carried out this pledge. The only
way to prevent it is to induce him to
give up the idea of touring the country;
but that will De about as difficult a
task as the other, if he has set his
mind on 1t.
The second cause of complaint the
president has against Chairman Bah
cocks book is the manner in which it
handles the question of trusts. Here
- oSoAh ollS III ~ Ills NIcWS III
another one of his pet schemes-the
control of trusts-from the standpoint
of his Fourth OF July speech in Pitts
burg. Its treatment of the trust ques-
ton is mainly an attempt to prove that
trusts increase wages and tend to en-
large the American export trade. 1t
uses the industrial commissions report
as authority for making the following
plea for trusts:
LAS far a. statistics were available,
the report shows in general a greater
number of persons employed and high
er wages paid in the same establish
ments after the combination than be-
fore"
The book quotes from President
Roosevelt's frs message to congress
n in commenting upon it says:
He did not arraign the trusts as
wholly bad, but conceded that they
were a part Of the industrial de-
velopment Of this country as they
were of the Industrial development
throughout the civilized world"
The compiler OF the book declares that
the share of trusts is small and at.
tempts to prove the truth of this de-
claration.
The whole tenor of the book is in OPP
position to tho presidents views on
these two important questions, and for
this reason has caused much comment
in the press Of the country. The atti-
tude of the president and these press
comments ehave causes the withdrawal
from circulation Of the book. Even re-
publican congressman who have applied
for copies have been unable to have
their orders filled. and it is not to be
had at book-Stands where such books
are usually found. The booksellers
sal their applications for copies are re-
turned with the statement that the
book is temporary out of print" It
is not even to be had at the distribut-
ing bureau of campaign literature.
All this means that there is much
friction among the leaders of the re-
publican party on two Of the most i'm
portant matters hat will be dis
cussed before the people during this
congressional campaign and that
the issues that one faction is anxious
to keep in the background will be
forced to the front by the other. Mr..
Roosevelt evidently looks upon the
manner of treating these two ques-
tions by the campaign committee as a
reflection upon himself. or that it will
strike the people as an effort to snub
him.
Mr.. Roosevelt need not be uneasy
about not getting these two questions
! before the people, for they win surely