The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-10-03

The war with Spain has brought to us
the possession of the Philippines Our
withdrawal from these islands would have
been the signal for anarchy and
ruin and they would have passed
thence into the hands of some
other power President Mckinley believed
that We were able to solve this great
problem and that no other nation could
do so much as ue to give the liberty and
prosperity to the FL TO pecple HIS
policy was, first, to restore peace; seconC'
to establish civil government and third,
to give the peop.e of the Philippine islands
rapidly safety would permit, the
largest possible measure of self-govern-
ment. His policy firmly pursued by his
successor has been successful. We cordial
ly approve the policy of two Republican
administrations and the legislation of the
Republican congress which has produced
such results.
Reciprocity with Cuba is demanded
alike by honor and by interest. We have
assumed a responsibility in regard to
Cuba which cannot abandon. Relying
on promises the Cuban republic has
placed in its constitution provisions re-
quired by ana intended to guard Doth
] their interests and our own. These obli-
/ cations we are, as nation, bound in
honor to fulfill President Roosevelt has In
his policy of reciprocity with Cuba, the
entire and hearty support of the. Republi-
cans Of Massachusetts,
To the application of the policy of
protection, as embodied in the Dingley
tariff, is due the high wages and con-
stant employment of labor, and in large
measure our phenomenal national pros
perity for the last five years. This pol
icy should be adhered to. but changes
which the worlds progress and the in
tereStS Of the American people may Sug-
gest should. and will be, made by the
Republican party whenever they are of
sufficient Importance to justify the
check to business which inevitably at
tends any revision of the tariff. Such
changes can only be made successfully
and with the least possible injury TO
business by the Republican party and
in accordance with the principles of pro-
lection They should be undertaken
only after thorough investigation by
congress or by a commission of experts
as suggested by President Roosevelt.
Massachusetts has and desires no unfair
tariff advantages over ot5er states. Pro-
lection should be national and not sec
tiOnal impartial between industries and
those who are engaged in them.
The gold basis standard for money is
now substantially unquestioned as the
proper basis. DebaSing this standard in
any way would be dishonest and would
result in commercial disaster.
Nearly everything which has been
achieved for the benefit of humanity,
4 especially under free governments, has
been achieved through cooperation and
lcombina ton We recognize the right
and the necessity of such cooperation.
Labor has the right to combine for its
own defense and protection, to secure
good wages, reasonable hours for work
and the health and safety of the work
men. Capital has the right to combine
to accomplish results too great for in
dividual effort, to promote economy in
administration and manufacture, and to
enable them to encounter successfully
like combinations in foreign countries
for the possession of foreign markets.
These combinations of labor and cap
ital by whatever name they are called,
are the natural results of modern eco
nomic development and are entitled to
due protection of the law so long as they
are innocent and law-abiding. They
must obey the law and submit to legal
restraint If they become pernicious, dan
gerous to the public safety or tyrannical
or if they undertake to interfere with
: individual liberty. No so-called trust
may be permitted to use it's power to
crush out lawful competition or to de-
, fraud unwary investors by fictitious or
fraudulent issues Of stock not represent
. ing real value.
The Democratic plan of free trade in
; all products made by so-called trusts,
ignores the economic fact that the tariff
has no connection with trusts or with
) the size of corporations, except so far
as it affects all producing industries,
great and small. alike.
1t would mean the greatest possible
injury to all competitors of the trusts
and the least possible injury to the
trusts themselves. It would mean in
calcUlable loss to all wa age-earners en-
: ployed in every industry thus recklessly
/. aSsalled; It would mean the domination
in our market Of foreign trusts and it
would neither control nor regulate the
! great corporations which are necessary
l to modern business and which it is the
purpose Of the Republican party to
bring within the power of wise laws
? The conflict between the miners and the
mine owners in the anthracite coal fields
of Pennsylvania has paralyzed that indus
try and brought trouble. loss and distress
r in constantly-increasing measure upor
the people of the United States The ques-
ton is not a political one and should not
: be made SO to advance party purposes. II
is a calamity, common to all and tho
( situation is too grave, the prospect oi
Y loss and suffering by all conditions of ou1
e people is too serious to be passed over ir
: silence by any representative body OF
= American citizens
i We most heartily approve the action OF
4 the president of the United States in the
effort he is making to end this strike ant
s give the people the coal they so greatly
need. Nothing bring this about al
v once except an aroused and concentrated
public opinion which. without regard Il
e party viii give unqualified support to set
d tie at once their difficulties which involv,
: the public health, safety and business.