The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-10-04
The Forum
RooseveIt's Peril.
& &
Opinions of the Readers of the
Eagle on Current Topics.

RooseveIt's Peril.
To the Editor Of the Eagle:
The editorial in the Eagle Of August
8, las to Flexible Volume Of Money"
sound a note of warning that your readers
should attentively listen to. You say:
The average congressman knowing no
more about the money question than ths
average editor, we feel safe in asserting
that any attempted reformation of the
monetary system Of the country at this
time may prove dangerous work
Exactly so? Any attempt by the party
in power now to a reformation in either
the money or tariff question in the lines
indicated by many members of the Re
publican party viii not only prove dan
gerous, but will absolutely imperil Mr..
hoosevelt's election.
AS you are doubtless aware. Senator
Long has recently paid a visit to Presi-
dent Roosevelt at Oyster Bay. L met the
Senator last week at the Grand. hotel in
Medicine Lodge, and questioned him
about what was to be done.
He stated positively that the program
mapped out was an extra session of con-
sress to pass a bill lowering the duties
of Cuban sugar. and to provide for a
more elastic currency. ] told the sena-
tor that if that policy was carried out
it would certainly defeat Roosevelt in
1904 The lowering of duties on Cuban
sugar would involve the free discussion
during the campaign Of the whole protec-
tive system. There is not valid argu-
ment used in urging lowe, duties on
Cuban sugar that will not apply with
equal force, in favor of lower duties on
the products of every protected industry.
The Democratic campaign speakers will
find some of the strongest and most con-
vincing statements 10 prove the value of
their low tariff theories; in the speeches
already made in congress by Senator
Long and his Republican associates, SEN
ator Long was very positive in his he
lief that nothing could prevent the cleo
ton of Roosevelt in 1904. / called his at
tention to the defeat of President Harri-
son. after four years of unparalleled busi-
ness prosperity, under the Mckinley Bill.
when almost precisely the same issues
were before the people, as will be in 1901.
Viz: money and tariff.
told Senator Long that if the duties
on Cuban sugar were lowered as pro-
dustry in this country, as the change OF
tariff after Cleveland's election had ruin
ed the sorghum sugar industry. He de-
MES that such results would follow. 1
referred to the fact that Cuba had the
soil and climate to produce sugar in that
time to supply the entire demand of the
United States for sugar, and that facts
were brought before the ways and means
committee at the last session of congress,
to prove that Cuban planters could pro-
duce sugar, and sell it TO the sugar trust
at ~ cents per pound, and by so doing.
would destroy our sugar beet industry.
/ referred to the great success of the
Rockyford beet sugar factory in Colo
rado just beyond the Kansas line, where
over 100000 a year are now paid the
farmers and others employed in the beet
sugar industry. a large number Of farm
ers in Longs congressional district are
NOW raising sugar beets and selling them
At the nearest depot. at the same price
per ton paid at the Rockyford factory.
But these facts had little weight with the
senator l then said that it seemed to
me that the United States had done
enough for Cuba, by furnishing the men
snd none yto fight her battles with Spain
and setting her free. and she now ought
TO be able to take care of herself and her
own industries.
The senators reply was that there was
an enormous amount of money invested
in sugar plantations and factories of Cu-
ba that need our own markets" That
of course. is sort Of knock down argu-
rnent But on reflection it will be seen
that it is that enormous amount of money
invested by the sugar trust in Cuban plan
tations and sugar factories that will en-
able them 10 shut up almost every fac
tory in this country if the duties are
lowered.
Who elected Congressman Long mem
Der of congress and reelected him the
second and third time. and finally made
him senator of Kansas? Was it the Sugar
Trust and sugar planter of Cuba who can
make cheaper sugar out of cane than
from any other material. or the farmers
and laborers of the Big Seventh district
who are raising sugar beets and con-
verting them into sugar, and thus dis
trlbuting millions of dollars annually
among the people of Kansas.
Now the question crises: Is President
Roosevelt going to permit that gigantic
money trust that now has more than
s4lS 00o 600 of bank notes. promises TO pay.
to initiate the currency Of the country for
the sole benefits of Wall street sock gam
bling and the Unitei States Sugar Trust
and Cuban planteds, to shape the policy
OF his administration. or will he let it he
controlled by the intelligent voters who
want all of oSlr industries properly pro-
tected-sugar among the rest. The farm
ers. miners. merchants. laborers and bust
ness men want actual money with which
TO do their business and not an inflated
bank note that promises TO pay money,
that some one has "a pay interest for its
use. DIR. E. p. MILLER,
So to IL West 96th st. New York.
An Attack Refuted.
To the Editor of the Eagie:
A rather remarkable but not altogether
unusual attack is made upon the ella
soldier" hv the Charleston News and