The daily morning journal and courier., 1902-07-25


 isfactory as it was to tariff reformers. had to bear the sins of republican financial system which was supported by our administration against the pro- test of an overwhelming majority of the voters of the party. The defeat of 1894 was more disastrous than any that the party has experienced since, and it was due to the fact that the administra- ton deserted the people on the money question. In 1896 the money question had forged to the front. made para mount not by the action of the majority of the democratic party, but by the at tempt of minority of the party to aid the republican party to chain the coun- try to an appreciating dollar. Without abandoning it's position on the tariff question the party met this issue and took the side of the people. In spite of the desertion of many formerly conspic- uous in it's councils of the democratic party, it boiled million more votes than it had ever boiled before, and would have won but for the indefensible methods of the republican party, whose leaders held nearly all the protection ist republicans by declaring the tariff issue to be paramount, modified the wrath of most of the free silver repub- licans by promising international bl- metallism, and won all the advocates of the gold standard by revealing to them the secret purpose of the party to adopt European financial system. But even then We could have won but IsN,s1- ya1Ncs creed and employees intimidated.
 Tn 1900 the action of the republican party in turning a war commenced for humanity into war of conquest com pelled the consideration of another question-a question so far-reaching in it's consequences that our party right fully declared it to be the paramount is- sue, Without abandoning it's position on the tariff question or on the money question it again espoused the peoples side of great issue. That it did not win that year was due to conjunction ot causes any one of which would have been insufficient to have accomplished defeat. The administration having carried on brief and successful war fell heir to the enthusiasm which usu- ally attends a victorious conflict; an unexpected increase in the supply of new gold and an unexpected influx of European gold. due to large crops here and a famine abroad; increased prices relieved the stress of hard times and gave to the people the benefits that al- ways flow from a growing volume of money. While the advantages which followed a large volume of money Vim dicated the principles contended for by bimetallsts, they were appropriated by the party in power, and those who were influenced by conditions, without at tempting to realize the conditions. gave the republican party credit for an in creasing prosperity.
 The protected manufacturers, of course, stood by the administration which had given them Dingley law. Trust promoters and trust magnates, recognizing in the democratic party an inveterate foe, and numbering among their stockholders many of the most in fluential republicans, threw all their strength to the republican party, and by their support purchased immunity from punishment. The republicans were greatly aided by another infiu- ence, namely, the influence of the finan- ciers who not yet having completed their schemes were willing to risk trusts, imperialism or anything else rather than forego the advantage which they expected from gold standard and a bank currency. In of oil hcf paign of 1900 only showed a net change of one hundred and fifty thousand votes in favor of the republicans out of a total vote of over thirteen millions. And what Is the situation to-day? Since the election of 1900 imperialism is more openly avowed and imperialistic methods more boldly entered upon be- cause the administration can point to that election as an apparent indorse- ment. although the party leaders at that time vehemently denied imperialistic intent. Those who expect to make a profit out of a colonial system favor it on the ground that it will pay; those who think that it opens up the Philip pines to proseliting insist that 1t is providential, while those who are sim ply seeking some reason for supporting their party's policy fall back upon the doctrine that circumstances got us into the trouble and that we must stay in until circumstances get us out.
 Since the election of 1900 the trusts have grown and f1ourished under the republican administration, as might have been expected. Almost two years have elapsed since the last presidential election, and no legislative attempt has been made to interfere with them, and the executive efforts, instead of being directed toward the enforcement of criminal statutes, are confined to the equity side of the court, and these ef" forts have not in the least retarded the formation of new combines.
 Since the election the financiers are seeking to carry their advantage lit tie farther and are planning an asset currency, a system of branch banks and the redemption of the silver dollar Re- cognizing the enormous iniquity of the bill. they did not dare to press it during the campaign, but having secured a favorable report in the house, postponed it's consideration until December.
 Since the election republican con- gress has turned deaf ear to the la