The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-05-13
SMITHS SPEECH IS AN
ATTACK ON ADMINISTRATIVE
Permanent Chairman Tells Demo-
Gratis Republicans Have Been
Guilty of Misrule.
FAVORS PANAMA CANAL
But Fears Republicans Will Not
Be Able to Complete Work
of Construction.


Former Attorney General Alonzo Greene
Smith. of this city. in assuming the per-
manent craftsmanship of the convention,
spoke in part as follows:
1T is but natural and therefore rea-
soma BILE, that there should be honest differ
ence OF opinion as TO the merits of candi-
dates and methods of procedure: but all
such differences should be. and 1 trust will
be, adjusted without leaving either sting
or regret behind. In your deliberations
you will remember ALWAYS that the welfare
OF your party is paramount to personal
ambitions. and when there is a conflict of
interests, the individual must yield for the
party's good. for however earnest the con-
fiict OF this day the battle will end with
the announcement of the choice of the ma
Jority OF this convention
Democrats believe in absolute acquies-
cence in the decision of the ma jority. They
regard 1t as a vital principle of the Re-
public, from which there is no appeal but
TO force. But We also believe that there
can be no occasion for appeal from the
action of a Democratic convention. Fair
treatment and equal rights will not admit
OF an appeal. Here as delegates you stand
upon equal ground and under the rules
or this body you have a voice In its pro-
ceedinss and whatever result Is reached all
are bound thereby, for it will speak the
voice from majority of the Democratic
party of Indiana and from that decision
no loyal Democrat will appeal.
Adhering TO the doctrine of Jefferson.
the Democratic party stands for the
preservation OF the Democratic party in
it's whole visor the sheet anchor of our
peace at home and safety abroad. This is
the chief principle upon which the Republic
rests. The Republican President disregards
treaties, statutes and Constitution and ex-
ercise arbitrary power with as little con-
Germ as the Car of Russia. The evil con-
sequences of such misrule far reach
Ing. The example Is dangerous.
ATTACKS ADMINISTRATION
1.-THE records show that the legislative
are honey-combed with corruption. One
United States senator has just been con-
victed of bribery and another one escaped
the penitentiary because he pleaded that
he committed the crime charged while
drawing his salary, but before he had taken
the oath of a senator
scores of members of the House have
been accused of corruption by one of their
own party The Postofice Department is
known 10 be rotten TO the core and the
fraudulent disposition of the public lands
appeals 10 deeency and honor for investi-
cation
The expenditures under the Roosevo,,
administration are so enormous that they
chill the imagination. In addition to the
records OF the public service will show that
there has been more official dishonesty and
a greater number of defalcations under the
Roosevelt administration than under anoth-
er administration since Washington's time
ne ueprdVlIy or the administration
Is only kept under cover by the refusal OF
Congress TO investigate 1t. The people have
no patience with the claim that the Repub-
ucan party can reform itself
FAvORS PANAMA CANAL.
I'VE favor the speedy completion of the
Panama canal. The Republican party is in.
capable of completing this great enterprise
without subjecting the country to humilia-
ton and shame. We therefore demand not
only the completion of the canal, but in
sist that the work shall proceed under the
direction of an honest and economical ad.
ministration.
The Democratic party is opposed to al
schemes of taxation that bear unequall,
upon individuals or interests. or that tent
to increase the profits of one class at the
expense OF another. We are opposed tc
special privileges in governmental affairs.
combinations of capital (trusts) are the
tective tariff system. They violate tn.
spirit of our laws. become inimicaI TO pub
lie welfare and peace and should be reg.
ulated. controlled or prohibited by law
ample, TO protect the public interests
1T Is the purpose of the Democratic
party 10 deal only with the bad trusts. II
il not our policy to disturb legitimate en-.
terprise. for We know and the countr,
understands that the evil tendencies o.
these extraordinary combinations of wealth
can be prevented without injury to capita
or embarrassment 10 labor.
CAPITAL AND LABOR AT WAR
THE beneficiaries of protective tariff ant
unlawful trusts to-day in partnershi,
with the Republican administration a
Washington. and the country cannot ex
pect relief from such fellowship Fo
years the country has appealed to Wash
ington for relief from the trusts and dur
ing all this time the Republican admins
tration has been promising TO do some
thing to remove this burden from the peo
pie But trusts have accumulated i'm mum
Der and Importance. and the cos
OF living has increased and IN,
price of labor corresponding Dc
creased. And now for the first tim
I'm the history of this country a war is he
ing waged between capital and labor. m
dangerous consequences of which canno
be foretold.
1T is political imbeclity to expect ;
change of conditions through the Repub
ucan administration When relief comes =,
the people from the wrongs OF the trust
IL will come through the power and fore
OF the Democratic party"