The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1902-05-03
REPUBLICAN PARTY MEETING RECKONING.
Prospects for Democracy Never Brighter Before in Its
Long History.
TRUST GREED MUST INDEED BE CHECKED.
Tariff Wall Will be Battered Down-The People
Are Sovereign.

does not require a prophet to see that
the risk may easily be too great.
Tariff reduction is a traditional DEM
ocratic doctrine. The maintenance
of high prices at home, behind the
shelter Of a tariff wall, might easily
make an issue, on which it would be
possible to solidify and inspire all the
factions Of the democracy. The anti
trust and the merely anti-taritf
elements, if combined, would give to
the democrats a chance which they
have not had since Grover Cleveland
was elected to the presidency.
1t would be interesting to know to
what the republican stump speakers
and platform-makers will "point with
pride" during the coming campaign.
Congress has been in session five
months, with both branches in con-
troll of the republicans and a repub-
lican executive.
An opportunity to make a record
has been accorded the dominant party,
but it has accomplished little, except
to practically disrupt the party. The
few republicans who have shown any
desire to reduce the tariff have not
been able to overthrow the trust
defenders, and permission is refused
by the lower house of congress to
even consider a vote upon a bill to
repeal the tax on meat.
ma REPUBLICAN PLATFORM.
Yet Indiana, the first state to hold
a republican convention and one
where the result is always in doubt
until the close Of the polls, drafts a
platform which says that "We are
opposed to all trusts or combinations
Of capital whose purpose or effect is
to restrict business or control ~prlces:'
and Of course they especially de-
%nounce those whose tendency it is to
increase the cost Of living and the
neceSsaries Of llfe."
They favor Legislation to prevent
such abuses" but they do not point
out what new laws are needed.
They "adhere to the policy Of
protection" but they favor "such
notifications Of tariff schedules as,
from time to time, are required by
changing conditions, and they are
ready to accept carefully guarded
reciprocity arrangements with other
countries wherever such arrangements
can be made "without interrupting
our home production. But whether
at the present time any modification
Of tariff schedules is required, OF
whether the reciprocity treaties now
pending before the senate are "care.
fully guarded" and would not "inter.
rupt our home production, they
refuse to say.
1t is doubtful If there was ever &
case where the first important state
convention of the dominant party
under a new administration presentet
so colorless a statement of party faith
There is one feature of the Indiana
; platform which affords ground foI
rejoicing-the plank on the sectiona
issue which is not there. Represen
tatiye Crumpacker has been for year.
the chief advocate Of the-scheme TO
cutting down the representation o
the southern states in congress ant
the electoral college because th'
negroes are not allowed to vote, anC
he was urgent for the Endorsement o
the idea by this convention. But TIN
managers refused him the slightes
encouragement and kept all reference
7 to the south out Of the platform
: This may be considered the forma
rejection Of the attempt to revive th
J sectional issue and as such it is caus
for congratulation.
Quick Work in Matrimonial Market