Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-02-14

par y. II pIcScutS' III mover HSnI the
idea that agitation for a so-called
antitrust amendment to the United
States constitution is largely engin-
eered by the dominant party in order
to hold club over those great aggre-
cations merely to help perpetuate its
own partisan sway. Mr.. Ryan's
statement of the true mission of
democracy is in part as follows:
The next democratic national con-
Lvention will consist of 994 delegates
This total includes the allotment
made at the last national convention
of six votes each to all territories,
including Alaska and the Hawaiian
islands. Of this number 49S will CON
stitute majority, and Cos will be
necessary to make up the two-thirds
required TO nominate candidates I'M
der the time honored rule of a demo-
cratic convention. The vote of 332
delegates would constitute more than
one-third of the convention and
would prevent an unwise nomination.
The southern states, including Mary
land, Delaware and the border states,
will have in the national convention
a total of 1913 votes. These votes are
sufficient to prevent an unwise nomi-
nation.
1t is obvious, however, that if the
democrats of the south decide to cast
their influence in favor of conserva-
tive policies and candidates they will
receive powerful support from the
northern states, and especially from
those of the east and middle west.
The eastern group of states alone,
comprising New England, New York.
New Jersey and Pennsylvania. will
have 252 votes in the convention and
with the south would make total of
$50 votes. In order to obtain the re-
naming 73 votes required to make
two-thirds of the national convention,
it would be necessary to look to such
States of the middle west as Indiana
with so votes. Illinois with 81, Michi-
gan with %. Minnesota with ~ and
Indiana and Illinois. with those of
the south and east. would constitute
two-thirds of the convention and give
overwhelming preponderance to any
policy upon which those states
agreed Illinois and Wisconsin, or
the group made up of Indiana. AIichi-
gan and Minnesota. would also be suf-
ficient with the south and east to
make two-thirds.
Among these policies. a return to
which at the present time would
bring strength to the party, these
may be enumerated:
1. \ moderate tariff for revenue.
without prejudice to American in
dustries.
,. \ sound currency.
). Moderation in public eXpendi-
lures.
I. The restriction of the federal
government in its Legitimate fanc-
tions and opposition to the further
extension of its powers over the acts
and industries of the people of the
states.
There has of late been an evasion
of the constitution which was but the
first step to an invasion of it. Moth
ing has happened in 40 years that has
given more concern TO all thoughtful
men than the usurpation by the exec
utive of the power to interfere be-
tween the employer and the employ
ed. Furthermore, it is impossible to
discCnnect it from the expressed in
tention to force an amendment to the
constitution for ends wholly at vari-
ance with its spirit and with the in
tent of its framers-ends than which
nothing could ultimately prove more
subservient of the rights of the states
or more destructive of the very foun-
dations of the government itself. 1t
will be for the democracy to offer a
determined, persevering and over
whelming resistance to all such tres
pass. Fealty to the constitution and
| a proper respect to the principles
therein indited by our fathers are a
sufficient guide and inspiration to
party conduct.
Against these new follies of build
ing state socialism, the democratic
party of the union can afford to ar
ray itself with unfiinching faith, and
in such a movement the democrats
of the south should be the leaders.
Such an attitude would be in har-
mony with the democratic faith of
the past. 1t would be in harmony
with the best aspirations of the de-
mocracy of the future.