The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1902-10-24
HILL ON PROSPERITY
New York Statesman Discusses In
dustrial Conditions.
treats the Coal Question as Foremost
Issue of Present Campaign-Re-
news Demand for Tariff
Reform.

The democratic state campaign
was formally opened in New York
October IL with rousing mass
meeting at the Brooklyn Academy OF
Music. Following his custom for
many years, ex-Gov. David B. Hill
fred The opening gun" there. He
made a long speech, full of vigorous
utterances, the feature of which was
an elaborate defense of the plank in
the state platform demanding gov
ernme Mt control and operation of the
coal mines.
Mr.. Hill treated the coal situation
as the foremost issue of the present
campaign. He renewed his demand
for a tariff for revenue only and
charged the republicans with sole re-
sponsibility for the high cost of liv-
ing in this country to-day.
Cost of Living Increased.
Mr.. Hill was warmly welcomed
when he arose to speak. Discussing
the industrial conditions in the coun-
try he said:
Certain conditions as we'll theories
confront the American people at this hour
At a time of abundant harvests, with no
enjoyment of their ordinary health, they
find themselves confronted with unusual
dangers which threaten their welfare ana
imperil their happiness. The average cit
iZen discovers that Notwithstanding the al
legged prosperity of the times which has
been so vociferously proclaimed by our
political opponents, the fact remains that
the accumula tons of wealth have accrued
to the Golfers of the few rather than to
the pockets of the many, and that the in
If,ysr,r oio1 "a
HANGED prices of the necessaries OF life
have rendered the problem OF existence
more difficult one to solve.
1.-The republican party is in undisputed
control of the state and nation. 1t can
enact or it can refuse to enact whatever
legislation it pleases. If present evils are
traceable to vicious legislation and, un-
wise public policies, the responsibility there
for is easily fixed. If the government in re-
cent years has been used to build up private
fortunes for the benefit of few at the
expense of many millions; if the public func-
lions of taxation have been abused to sub
serve personal and corporate interests; II
vast combinations Of capital have been per-
mitted to stifle competition and dictate gov
ornamental measures for selfish purposes, the
responsibility must be assumed by the re-
publican party, which has either sanctioned
or tolerated. such conditions and refused or
omitted to remedy them.
1.-The democratic party wages no war upor
tons lawfully engaged in legitimate enter
prises. 1t respects vested rights and does
not regard the possession of wealth hon.
estly acquired as crime, nor does 1t con-
slider poverty as a virtue or disgrace.
I'm common with all good citizens 1t views
with alarm the organization in the past few
years of those vast corporate combinations
which have for their real, though not os-
tensible object, the creation Of monopoly
by rendering competition practically impos-
hi 81 khn oor
ital employed and, the almost unlimited ex-
tent of their powers and operations. 1t is
not believed that combinations of such
character are in the public interest or are
productive of public good
Demands Tariff Revision.
Referring to the question of tariff
revision, Mr.. Hill said:
with over $500, 10000 of surplus revenue
in the treasury of the United States it is
folly-aye, it is almost criminal-to further
resist a modification of the present ex-
orbtant tariff rates. No good reason can
be urged why such revision should not be
Immediately undertaken"
Favors Government Control.
OF the plank of the state platform
demanding government ownership OF
the anthracite mines, he said:
1.-THE proposition is neither startling. rev.
dictionary, socialistic nor paternal, but Is
COILS necessary, eXpeOlenl, ana,
above all, it is right. 1t is simply reason
able and necessary extension of the gen.
eral policy of public ownership already
largely prevailing in the municipalities of
the country. This proposition does not COM
nit the party to any other projects of pub
lie ownership, whatever their merit, if any
there may be.
1.-The coal question is national one. If
1t is not, why did the president himself re-
Gently intervene and summon private cit
liens to the white house for conference and
exercise his official influence in regard to
a matter over which he had no jurisdiction?
He was not acting under any statute. He had
no authority for any legal interference on
his part. He himself has made it ma
tional question and he and his party are
now estopped from otherwise regarding 1t.
1t is a national question because the i'm
pending coal famine involves the welfare of
the whole people of the United States, and
such a famine should be prevented from
ever occurring again, which cannot be as
sured under private ownership and con-
troll. 1t is the province of wise statesman
ship to provide against just such emer-
gencies in the future. There is 40 permanent
remedy proposed by anybody except that
suggested in the democratic platform"