The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-10-10


Excited predictions will be harmful.
WHY DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS.
The numerous political meetings now be-
ing held in this and other States show
that the fall campaign Is fairly opened.
AS far the speakers are able to accom-
plish it, 1t will get wider and wider open
until Nov. 4. when the people will close it
by voting. AS they are being asked by
Democratic orators to elect Democratic
House of Representatives 1T might be well
for them to spend several leisure moments
between now and election day bordering
the question why on earth they should do
so. In answering this question the first
point to be considered is, what feature
in the policy of the present administration
or the present Congress do the people dis
approve? The present Congress is in po-
litical accord with the President, and they
are working tremendously together in
their domestic and foreign policies. Before
voting for a Democrat for Congress the
there is in the policy of the present Con-
gress that should make him desire
change.
The present Congress is pledged to MAIN
tain the policy of protection to American
industries. AS that policy has been large
ly instrumental in bringing about the pros
perity which the country now enjoys, why
should any person wish to run the risk OF
exchanging it for one which, judging from
past experience. would turn the present tide
Of prosperity into one OF disaster? Why
exchange a policy which brings full din
ner pals and high wages for one that
brings free souphouses and pauperism?
Why exchange a policy that causes mills
and factories to run full time for one that
puts their fires out and closes them down?
Why exchange policy that produces a
balance Of foreign trade in our favor for
one that produces a balance against us?
Secretary Shaw said in his speech at Bos-
ton: I'm 100 years prior to the election
| of William Mckinley we had sold abroad
more than we had bought abroad, and had
for our enrichment balance of trade of
4Oo.000,OO0 to show for this 100 years. But
since 1897 We have sold more abroad than
we have bought abroad; not at the rate of
$500 900 in 100 years, but more than $780,
100000 per annum. Not $4,000 600 in 100
years, but s.. 500 OOO, 900 in five years." why
exchange the present condition for the
former one? In short. why not let well
enough alone?
The present Congress, like the executive
branch OF the government, is pledged to
carry out the policy so successfully begun
in the Philippines. Briefly, this policy
means the establishment of peace and
civil government in the islands under the
American flag. The questions of expansion
and Imperialism on which the people were
| asked to elect Democratic Congress two
years ago are now dead issues. The war
in the Philippines is ended and the ques-
ton of American sovereignty is settled.
The only issue that can be made out OF
| the Philippine question now is one of haul
ing down the flag and abandoning the
Islands. Why should any American vote
to exchange a policy which has brought
and is still bringing us national honor for
one that would bring national disgrace?
The present Congress represents the only
political party in the country that has
enacted any legislation looking to the con-
troll of trusts or that has made any at
tempt to enforce the law through the
courts. The Sherman antitrust law
passed by the Republicans in 1893, 1.
the only national law in restraint of cor.
porations or trusts, and Democratic Con.
crosses and administrations have virtually
admitted their inability to improve upor
it. If 1t can be improved 1t can only bt
done by the party that passed 1t in the
first place and which is the only politica
party that has shown ability to cope will
great problems. If any person desires
stronger antitrust law why should he ex
Congress? Does anyone say the trust prob
lem Is one for the States and not for Con
gress to deal with? William ]. Bryan said
in a speech delivered Aug. 16. 1897 1T sa,
that the State cannot deal with the trus
because it cannot fight beyond it's owl
borders. The national government is tn
only force that can reach into all the State
and pluck the evil wherever it may b
found and annihilate it." AS the Republic
an party is the only one that has showl
either disposition or the ability to dea
with this question by national legislation
why elect Democratic Congress and in
augurate policy of imbecility and mac
ton? Why exchange certainty of prac
teal reform and continued progress for on
of chronic incapacity and confirmed pc
litical impotence?
The only person in the United States VIII
would be benefited by the election of
Democratic Congress would be the Demo
cratic members-elect who would draw tn
salaries. For the country at large 1t woul
be a great calamity