The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-09-26
PAST ANDPRESENT ISSUES
MIR. ROOTS THINKS THE CAMPAIGN
AN ANOMALY IN POLITICS.
Questions That Have Been Settled,
and Others that Are Calling for So
luton in the Near Future.

our political history; IL is a campaign prac-
tically void OF issue, except the WORKOUT,
threadbare cry of tariff revision, or the
wall of Bryan for an Endorsement of the
Kansas City and Chicago platforms. The
Philippine question is working out its own
salvation beyond our expectations and
peace reigns in the islands with the ex-
ception of one or two provinces.
The question of reciprocity with Cuba Will
be readily settled and amounts only to
difference Of opinion between Republicans,
and hence is not a party issue. About all
there is left for the Republican orator Is
to hold up the magnificent record, potn
state and national, of the Republican party
and ask the average voter whether ne
desires change and a return to the soup
house regime and the free-trade expert
ments of the Cleveland administration. 1t
goes without saying the the universal YER
dict will be, LET we'll enough alone, and
let us have more of the sunshine of pros
perity." I base this prophecy upon the
fact that. since 1896. prosperity has taken
the place of adversely and instead of an
increase Of our national debt of $4,000, 600
under the Democratic administration, there
has been reduction; the factories have
increased 100000 in number; 100000 more
men are employed; the value of the prod
ucts Of the farm have increased sl5OO.Ooo,OOO
the export of farm products $1,000 100000
annually: the savings banks deposits have
increased nearly 81. 600, 100000. Instead of ex-
porting $2O0,0OO000 of gold, as under the
Democratic administration, we have i'm
ported $2Oo,0O0.OO0. The balance of trade
has been turned in our favor to an amount
Of $50O.000.OO0 annually, SO in November
there is nothing left for the thoughtful
voter to do but TO go TO the polls and have
a ratification meeting. 1t is my belief
that the speeches of this campaign will not
change single vote. The people know
good thing when they see 1t. and the cry
OF Tom l.. Johnson and the lamentations
of Bryan will not be sufficient inducement
to change conditions at the present time.
CAN AND CAN'T PARTIES.
But what of the future? The history
of the two great political parties since the
civil war might be summed up as the Can
and Can't Parties" The Democratic party
said in 1868, You can't pay the govern
ment debt in gold or its equivalent" The
Republican party said. 1--WE can; we have
done 1t and are doing it,
The Democratic party said. "You cannot
resume specie payment with 900 of
The Republican party said, I'VE can," and
did do it under the masterfu guidance of
the celebrated fnancier, John Sherman.
The Democratic party said, You cannot
establish protective tariff without robbing
the farmer, the laborer, making the rich
richer and the poor poorer, The Repnb-
To-day the United States is the richest
country on the globe by $4,000. 000.0 600. and
our farmers and laborers the most pros
porous since the foundation of the Re-
public.
The Democratic party said, You cannot
establish the gold standard without causing
revolution and widespread panic, because
there would not be enough dollars to go
around The Republican party said, I'VE
can," and we did. To-day the amount of
money per capita In the United States has
increased since 1896 from S22 TO S26 and
the amount of money in circulation from
81, SOC, 600 to 81 so, 000
The Democratic party that had increased
the State debt to S,52O,OOO up to 1885, said to
the Republican party that came into power
in 1895. You cannot carry the State S
business and make the necessary improve
ments to public institutions without in
creaSing the States debt"
The Republican party said 1--WE cam and
We did. Since II came into power In 1896
it has reduced the States debt from 81. $50. :
900 to $3,SS1,6l5, Notwithstanding over 81. 600
600 has been spent on improvements of the
penal and benevolent institutions of the
State. But all these accomplishments of
| recent years by the Republican party we're
i.
as the monday sun. and there was no al
| tentative, because we have conducted the
business Of the State and Nation largely
as an individual would conduct his own
| private affairs, viz, with answering hon.
| esty and a determination to pay all our
| obligations with dollars worth one hundred
| cents. and manage the same with strictest
economy.
TARIFF AND MONEY.
At one time these were issues between
he ortf hrrf II
| by the professional politician as a juggler
would his wares, to entertain or attract
| the attention Of the people. The American
people have expressed their opinion at
| the polls repeatedly upon these questions
demanding that gold shall be the standard
| of value, and that this country shall be
protected from the pauper labor of Europe
| Would Ii not be by far better to relegate
| the tariff and money questions to the rear
| as far as political discussion is concerned
| and turn them over to a nonpartisan COM
mission to make such changes may be
| necessary, from time to time, as the Won
| derful growth and development of our
country may demand. just as the Interstat e
| and Civil-service Commissions settle prob.
lens of mighty Importance without any po-
| litical upheaval or serious agitation?
1t seems to me that the great questions
| which will soon force themselves upon the
| American people and demand the attention
| Of the great political parties are those re.
| lating to commercial expansion and our
| proper social relations one to another. The
| trust question. theoretically speaking, is
| easy of solution; practically, ii is a diff.
1 cult proposition, made so by injecting
| into the question the virus of politics. Sen.
| ator Beveridge, in recent speech, made
| several important suggestions, which, II
| they could be carried out, would afford
| ample protection to the public. First, the
| financial condition of the trust should have
/ widest publication; second, such regula
| lions OF trusts as would prevent, arbi
| trariy. the raising of the prices of tn,
| products and the unjust lowering of wages
| 1t is claimed that an amendment to the
| Constitution Is necessary; If SO, let IL:
| have 1t. The Republican party went or
| record In the Senate asking that an amend
| ment be submitted TO the people, but tn,
| Democrats voted soidly against it.
ARBITRATION.
The question of labor and capital, thei
proper relations one to the other, ans
| bringing them into proper harmonious &C
| ton, is one of the most vital questions O
the hour. AS to whether we shall hav
| courts of arbitration whose decision shall
be final. will no doubt take years to settle
but that we should have a law that will
compel employer and employee to submit
| their differences to board of arbitration
| after all peaceable means have been ex
| hausted to arrive at settlement, need
| no discussion Our labor commission, ere
ated by the Legislature of 1897, which
| had the honor TO advocate and vote for
| has settled scores OF difficulties between
| employer and employee. The Indianapoli
Journal OF the 18th inst. published a tele
| gram from Chicago recording the fact tina
one strike was settled, another adjusted