Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-06-24
TRUST QUESTION
IS PARAMOUNT
Temporary Chairman Quick
Says it Is the Root of Pres
ent Day Evils
WORSE THAN THE CRIME OF z;
Keynote Speech Before the Democratic
State Convention Declares the Silver
Issue Is Dead and the Tariff Issue
Only Secondary as Compared With
That of Monopoly.
IBy Associated Press.1

IBy Associated Press.i
Des Moines. June 24.-With the dele
gates evenly divided upon reaf1irmation
of the Kansas City platform, the state
democratic convention was called to
order this morning in the new auditori-
um by A. l.. Jackson. of Tama, chair
man of the state central committee. A
conference was held this morning by
the followers of the silver idea and it
was decided to fight to the end and
desire to keep out of the platform to
be adopted, reference to the Kansas
City plank. S. A. Brewster, Ottumwa,
is leader of the silver forces, while
Judge Van Wagenen. Sioux City, is
looked upon as leading the anti-silver
crowd. But two candidates are in the
field for nomination for governor. j. B.
Sullivan, Creston, and Judge Adam Van
Wagenen. Sioux City. j. II. Quick,
Sioux City. was introduced as tempo
rary chairman and in addressing the
convention spoke as follows:
Quick's Speech.
This convention is evidence that
its members are not entirely satisfied
with the prevailing conditions in state
and nation. We are here both protest.
ing against things which we condemn
and demanding remedies. Unless
there are governmental conditions de-
serving of our denuncia tion we might
better have remained at home and
joined in the paean of perity so
loudly sung by the republican press
and platform. Our presence here is
proof that there are wrongs OF which
we know. Such being the case, unless
we offer to the people remedies our
deliberations will end in failure; for
however useful may be the office of the
physician who points out disease, that
of the healer who brings cure is the
only one which Il great political party
should emulate. The party which
less than half its duty. 1t must be for
things as well as against things. if it
would be called to power or retained
in it.
What, then, are the conditions
against which we protest? Is not the
nation prosperous? 1t is true that all
over the land labor seems discontented,
and labor disturbances agitate the
people. Capital is arrayed against la
Dor. and labor against capital. But
strange to say we have grown to re-
gard these strifes as something to be
expected, and it may be said by some
that their existence is no proof that
we are not prosperous.
1T is true that in many occupations
wages are lower than ten years ago.
and that where they have seemed to
advance, the cost of living has ad-
vanced still more. Yet, employment is
more easily obtained, the mills and fac
tories are running, the railways are
gorged with traffic and all the pro-
eesses Of production are going on, pour
ing out golden streams of wealth.
"Of what then do we complain?
Against what public foe is 1t our duty
to unfurl the banners of democracy?
Where is the adversary against whom
a Jefferson would lead the hosts of the
people, and on whose armor would be
rained the ringing blows Of Jack
son? If these mighty ones of the past
We're with us today, where Is the evil
at which they would bid us strike? In
what respect do we Americans of to-
day in our personal and national life
fall short of the Americans of the day
of Jefferson and Jackson? The an
swer must come spontaneously to the
mind of every man present. Within
the past few years we have all be-
come conscious of a great and ON
inous change in the conditions under
which we live. change which fills ev-
cry thoughtful man with regret, and
foreboding, a change which has crept
across the spirit of American institu-
tions and cast over all sinister shade
of doubt and fear dimming the bright
sunshine of freedom which we once re-
garded as our inalienable birthright.
This change has not come about by
violence and bloody revolution, but by
the insdious advances, the secret usur-
patons of a class of powerful men. n
class constantly narrowing until it is
now scarcely more than a group. II
has not been accompanied py open and
avowed attacks upon the right of suf
frage, of freedom of speech, or of the
press, or upon any of the express rights
upon which we have been taught to
look as the safeguards of liberty but
it has come with the gradual corner
ing of our mines. our coal and oil fields
our highways. the great original sour
ces of production, the means of trans
portation, the avenues of employment
until the time has arrived when the
once free born American is born into
a monopolized and fencedup world. in
which he must walk In the mighty
shadow of the owners of his country
and ask of them the right to labor, to
life. liberty, and the pursuit of happi
ness.
Here lies the wrong at which the
spirits of Jefferson and jackson bid US
strike. This issue we must meet. If