Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-02-03
SOUTHERN DEMOCRATS.
Extracts from Thomas F. Ryan's Article
On Political Opportunity.
[ North American Review for Feb
rilarN

/
vention Will consist oil 1874 delegates.
This total includes the allotment mads
| at the last national convention of six
votes each to all the territories, includ-
| ing Alaska and the Hawaiian islands
| OF this number 49S will constitute a
majority, and 663 Will be necessary to
| make up the two thirds required to
| nominate candidates under the time
| honored rule of u democratic conven-
| ton. The votes of 332 delegates would
constitute more than one-third of the
convention and would prevent an UNI
wise nomination. Tie southern states,
including Maryland. Delaware and the
border states, will have in the national
convention a total OF 33S votes. These
votes are sufficient to prevent an un-
wise nomination.
1t is obvious, however, that, If the
democrats of the south decide to cast
their influence in favor of conservative
policies and candidates, they will re-
ceive powerful support from the north
ern 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 yotss in the
convention. and with the south would
make up total of $50 votes. In order
TO obtain the remaining seventy three
votes required to make two thirds of
the national convention. 1t would be
necessary to look to such states of the
middle west as Indiana with thirty
votes. Illinois with fifty-four. Michigan
with twenty-eight. Minnesota with
Twenty-Five and Wisconsin with TWEEN
ty-siS. The delegates of Indiana and
Illinois, with those or the south and
east, would constitute two-thirds of the
convention and give overwhelming pre-
pcnderance to any policy upon which
those states agreed. Illinois and Wis
oonsin, or the group made up of In
diana, Michigan and Minnesota. would
also be sufficient, With the south and
east, to make two thirds.
II.
Among those policies return to
which at the present time would bring
strength to the party. these may be
enumerated;
i. a moderate tariff for revenue,
without prejudice to domestic indus
tries.
Z "A sound currency.
3. Moderation in public expsndi-
lures
4. The restriction of the federal gov
eminent to its Legitimate functions, and
opposition to the further extension off
its powers over the acts and industries
of the people of the gates.
III.
Upon the vital question of the scope
of federal power. the democrats of the
south can afford to take position
which conforms TO the historical
teachings of jefferson, Madison and
Monroe. The people of the south have
suffered enough from abuse of federal
tha presence of United
States deputy marshals at their elbows
when they are seeking to govern them
selves. from the intervention of federal
courts to foist upon them laws and de-
cisions which would not be enacted by
their own legislatures and could not be |
enforced by their local courts-to max !
them think twice before giving their
federal authority. They are likely to
realize more clearly perhaps, than the
people of the north ard west, whose do
nestle institutions have been less sub
1ect to such interference, what it would |
mean If a constitutional amendment or
a statute should extend the power of |
the federal government to all the many
questions affecting corporations estab-
lished under the laws of the states.
They would again have federal judges
invading every province of their do
nestle life. passing upon the legality
and Interpretation OF those laws which
they had formed to regulate limited LA
bility in stock companies, to provide for
the distribution of the assets of such
and to regulate their en-
ployment of labor and all the points at
which they come in contact in produce
ton, transportation and distribution
With the individual in his private life.
The south can well afford to support
4 policy of conservatism and candid ex-
animation of the great economic prob
lens which have been raised by COM
binations of capital and the, consolida-
ton of industries, without being swept
off its feet by the clamor for some ac-
ton, however hasty and ill-considered,
to prove that the party in power is
ready to cater to the popular prejudice
Of the moment
Local government and the rights
to the states are among the
most essential safeguards Of our insti-
-utions. A system IF checks and ball
lnces. which shall prevent encroach-
nent by one department of government
upon another, or by either upon the
people, is the essential feature which
distinguishes our republic from those
bureaucr1cies which mimic
representative government on the con-
inent of Europe and in Latin America
t will be day of dark portent for the
utura OF our institutions when the
ederal government lays its heavy hand
N every mans shoulder, and reaches
own into his private business and his
household life. Such interference is toll
rated at the custom houses and in the
of liquor and cigars, be-
ause it is limited TO the special pur-
'oses of taxation: but If tbs time ever
ONES when the same degree of inter-
erence is extended to all the relations
4 life, the American republic will rep .
esent Il systemati2ed machine only .
Waiting the firm hand of n Caesar or Il
Napoleon to divert its potent enginery !.
o personal and dangerous ends. If a
resident can lawfully interfere be-
ween one class of employers and their
mpioyes, he can interfere in all, and 9
he afeguards of state law and local !,
ourts will become as impotent as the I.
mpty forms of the Roman constitution
nder Augustus.