The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-10-02

fuse, evasive and contradictory partisan
speeches of the president, in which he
criticiSes every simple and plain rem
edy proposed and hints at redress in
the far distant future by means of an
impracticable, dangerous and doubtful
scheme of a constitutional amendment
only exhibits the grotesqueness of his
attempt to ride two horses upon this
subject in his Aendeavor to please the
people and at the same time not offend
the trusts. sr
There is no middle ground on this
question. Those who are not against
the trusts are in favor of them.
THE suggestion of a constitutional
amendment is not new. 1t was previous
ly proposed in, the. Republican house of
representatives, just before the national
election of 1900, and thereafter immed-
lately dropped from consideration. 1t
was not approved in the Republican ma
tional platform of that year, nor recon-
mended in the measures of any Republi-
can president. Itshas only been revived
after the recent congress when the OPP.
portunity of passage had gone, and is
simply another 'ignis fatuus' proposition
of procrastination, intended to prevent
immediate remedial legislation.
1.-The Republican party cannot escape
responsibility for existing trust condi-
lions. In full control of all branches of
the national government as well as of
this state. its failure to enact adequate
legislation or to successfully force anti
of its professions or the incompetency
of its administrations. We condemn the
neglect of the federal and state admin
istrations to enforce the provisions of
the statutes known as the Sherman
antitrust law. the Donnelly antitrust
law and the conspiracy laws defining
crimes against the trust combina lions
violating them.
I'VE believe in territorial expansion
the expansion of Jefferson and of Polk
and in the honorable acquisition of de-
sirable territory which can be erected
in states in the Union and whose people
are willing and fit or capable of becOm-
ing fit for American citizenship. We
favor trade expension by every peaceful
and legitimate means. But we are un-
alterably opposed to the Selling or the
purchasing of distant lands to be held
as colonies analogous to the British col
onial system. to be governed outside of
the constitution and whose people can
never be American citizens. We con-
denim the Philippine policy of the pres
ent administra ton. The Filipinos can
not become citizens without endanger-
ing our ciViliza ton, they cannot be sub
jects without imperiling our form of
government. The national policy to-
ward them should not remain uncertain
and vaciliating. but the purpose of the
nation as to the ultimate government in
disposition of those islands should be in
harmony with our traditions and ex-
plicitly declared.
LAS the original friends and advocates
of the cause of Cuban independence, to
the support of which a Republican adj
ministration only reluctantly yielded,
Democrats demand Justice for Cuba in
the reduction of tariff upon her prin-
cipal products, not a mere paltry re-
duction of 20 per cent of existing du-
ties which Republicans profess a willing
ness to grant and to which even their
own party in congress does not assent,
but the full measure of justice involved
in the reduction of the tariff to a strict
" revenue basis. The refusal of the
present Republican congress, under the
dictation of special selfish interests, to
give Cuba through proper tariff cOnces-
sions a living chance of establishing Il
stable and efficient government under
her flag, was a shameful betrayal of
national honor. We call the attention
of the people to the equivocaf character
of the Republican platform in this state,
which only favors that relief to Cuba
proposed by the Republicans in con-
gress," while some of the Republicans iD
congress proposed one thing and some
another. and nothing whatever was ac-
complished-
obtained through the election of a DEM
ocratic congress.
I'VE sympathize with the oppressed of
the monarchies of Europe and especial
rageOus persecution Of the Jews of ROu-
mania, thousands of whom are fleeing
/ to America to escape the injustice and
oppression of their own country ma
tional protest against the wrongs in
ficted by the Roumanian government
is prompted by the dictates of humanity
and Justice. az 81 s-f
I'VE favor the election of United
States senators by the people by their
respective states.
1--WE arraign the administrations both
! national and state for their ATTEMPTED