The Savannah morning news., 1902-10-28

Rarely in our history, have the
American people been confronted by
questions of deeper sgniticance-of
more far-reaching consequence-than
those submitted for their determination
at the election in November.
Existing conditions challenge the at
tention of all thoughtful men. These
conditions are confined to no particular
section, but exist throughout the length
and breadth of our country. Notwith-
standing our boosted prosperity and
the Individual fortunes that have sud-
denly been acquired, the sad fact re-
mains, that to the mass of the people,
this oft repeated boast of prosperity,
is but a mockery. 1t is that of the ia
vored few. To the mass, conditions
have seldom been more exacting; rare
ly less hopeful than at this moment.
For more than five years past, all
departments of the general government
have been in the hands of the Repub-
leans, and the Republican organization
has, with iron will, dominated its
policy. Against the willful departure
from the safe pathway marked out by
the founders of the government,
against legislation inspired by greed in
the interest of a favored class, against
the reckless expenditure of public
money the Democratic minority in
Congress was powerless. In many in
stances. even the right of debate has
been denied. and without let or hind
rance, legislation enacted in utter dis
regard of the rights Of the people.
The record of the Republican party is
before you, and upon this record it APP
peals to the people, demands an en-
dorsement Of its acts and a further
lease of power.
The ship subsidy bill has already
passed the Senate and is now pending
in the House. Republican victory at
the approaching election will insure the
triumph of this BILL by which our ma
tional treasury will be depleted in the
interest of great corporations. This
bill only bides it's time, and is but the
forerunner of others of greater magni-
tude yet to follow. The Democratic
party is, and has been from the be-
ginning, the antagonist of all subsidy
bills, of all legislation which enriches
the few at the expense of the many.
This issue is now squarely presented
sfor determination. Republican success
in November means an endorsement of
subsidies, a departure from the honest
and economical expenditures of the
early days of the republic, and the
adoption of z policy that foreshadows
untold evils to our country.
The enormities of the present tariff
laws now demand attention. The real
meaning of protection" is now well
understood. Under the high tariff
virtually prohibitory in many instances
the manufacturer indeed finds pro
lection" He is given a clear track.
Colossal fortunes have suddenly been
acquired. The American people under
stand now, as never before, that pro-
hibitory tariff protecting a class-pro-
tecting the favored few-means the rob-
berry of the many. High protection is
odious class legislation.
The trust" Is the crying evil OF to-
day. BY combinations of capital I'M
known to our earlier days, against pub
lie policy-and in many instances in
direct violation of state laws-the
small dealer has been driven from
the field. The field being clear-com-
petition destroyed - the managers
of the various trusts" fix prices to
the consumer at their own pleasure. Is
1t possible that the people are indiffer-
emit to this growing evil? 1t virtually
destroys competition-the life of
trade. In no small degree it usurps
the functions of government.
Is there no remedy? Are we to re-
main in the clutches of giant ccmbi-
nations of capital? Are the all powerful
trusts to have absolute sway in all de-
partments of business, their voice only
to be potent IN the mart (! IS there IN
this free land no longer opportunity
in the world of trade for the young
man whose only capital is his integrity
and his brain?
With few exceptions the trust is the
logical result-the offspring-of our ex-
elusive tariff laws. The rule is general.
The trusts followed close in the wake
of the Dingley tariff, which made the
existence of trusts possible.
As step in the right direction, let
all trust-made goods be placed on the
free list.
Experience has demonstrated the ut
ter inefficiency of the present anti
trust law. Five years of continuous
Republican control In Congress have
passed and no sincere attempt made
10 amend the present law or enact one