The Tupelo journal., 1904-09-30

i Ois tiN y "a q
dent Mckinley undertook honestly to carry
out the purpose of the act. "A number
OF, reciprocity agreements We're negotiated
which, IL ratified, would have had the two
fold result of cheapening many imported
products for American consumers, and OF
opening and charging foreign markets
those agreements has met with the APP
proval of the republican masters of the
senate. Indeed. they did not even permit
their consideration In view Of the atti-
agreement need be expected from him.
MOI does the republican platform contain
a favorable reference to one OF the sus-
OF the Dingley act seem destined to re-
main a monument of legislative cozenage
and political bad faith, unless the speo-
at the ballot box and command a reduction
of duties in return for reciprocity con-
cessions."
Independence for the Filipinos.
In some quarters it has been assumed
that in the discussion of the Philippine
question in my response. the phrase
sself-government, was intended TO mean
something less than Independence. II
was not intended that it should be under
stood to mean, nor do l think as used II
does mean less than Independence, How
ever, to eliminate all possibility for con-
lecture, l now state hat | am in hearty
accord with that plank in our platform
that favors doing for the Filipinos what
we nave already done for the Cubans
and favor making the promise to them
now that We shalt take such action as
soon as they are reasonably prepared for
1t. Ii independence, such as the Cubans
enjoy. cannot be prudently granted to
the Fflipinos at this time, the promise
that 1t shall come the moment they are
capable of receiving it will tend to stimu-
late rather than hinder their develop
ment. And this should be done not only
in justice to the Filipinos, but to pre-
serve our own rights: for a free people
cannot withhold freedom from another
people and themselves remain free. The
federation OF tyranny over others will
soon breed contempt for freedom and
self-government. and weaken our power
of resistance. to insidious usurpation OF
our constitutional rights.
The statute relating to civil service
IS the outcome of the efforts OF thought-
full, unselfish and public-spirited citi-
Zens. Operation under it has frequently
been of such a character as 10 offend
against the spirit of the statute, but the
results achieved. even under a partial
as to both deserve and command the
u~tterance of the democratic party that
it stands committed to the principle OF
civil service reform and demand its
just and impartial enforcement.
Panama Canal.
IAN Isthmian canal has long been the
hope of our statesmen, and the avowed
aim of the two great parties. as their
platforms in the past show. The
Panama route having been selected
la oblAhiiS VI IL ana Sh'tf ~
pressed to completion with all reason
able expedition.
The methods by which the executive
acquired the Panama canal route and
rights are a source of regret to many
To them. the statement that thereby
a great public work was assured to the
answer to the charge of violation OF
national good faith. They appreciate
that the principles and healthy con
v%ictions which in their working out
| have made ne FREQ and great stand
firmly against the argument or sugges-
ton hat we shall be blind to the nature
of the means employed to promote ouI
welfare. They hold that adherence to
principle, whether it works for our good
or i'll, will have a more beneficent inf1u-
ence on our future destiny than all oul
ever remember that the idea of doing a
wrong to a smaller, weaker nation thai
We. or even all mankind. may have a
resultant good is r%epugnant to the prin-
cipleS upon which our government was
founded.
Under the laws of the United States
proceed with due diligence in the WORK
of constructing the canal. That duty
should be promptly. performed.
Pensions for Our Soldiers and Sailors.
The national democracy favors liberia
pensions to the surviving soldiers and
ground that they deserve liberal treat
ment. 1t pledges by its platform AIDE;
uuate legislation 10 mat en0 But II
denies the right of the executive t
usurp the power of congress to legislate
on that subject. Such usurpation was
attempted by pension order No. Is, anc
! effect has been given to 1T by q congress
that dared not resent the usurpation. II
is said that this order was made in the
performance of a duty imposed upon the
president by act of congress- but the
provision making the imposition is no
pointed out. The act to which the order
refers, which is the one relating TO pen
sions to civil war veterans. does not au
thorize pensions on the ground of age
II does grant pensions to those suffering
from any mental or physical disability
or disabilities, of a permanent character
not the result of their own vicious hab
its, which 50 incapacitates them from
the performance of manual labor as t
render them unable to earn a support.
This specified requirement of incapacity
is in effect set aside by order No. rs a.
to all persons over g..
THE war closed nearly 40 years ago
and sailors long survived the age o
81. and passed away without receiving
any pension. Skillful pension attorney!
hunting through the statute failed t.
find there a provision giving a pen
sion to all who had reached g.. Man,
prominent veterans urged the Justice O.
congressional action giving a service
pension To all veterans. Bills to tina
effect We're introduced in congress. Ant
not until March of this year did any
one ever claim to have made the dis
| tONeTN Liza lUe UItSluCut "a Po"CI I
treat the statute as if 1t read that wher
a claimant had passed the age of 81 year.
he is necessarily disabled one-half il
ability to perform manual labor ant
therefore entitled to a pension.
The present pension commissions in
Dictated his view of the order when II
a recent address he thanked the presi
dent for what he had done, and advised
his hearers to use their influence tina
a law might be passed to the same ef
feet. Full confidence after all seems no
to nave been placed on the defense o.
justification, for it IS pleaded In mitiga-
did something looking in that direction
Even if that were so-which is not ad
mitted-our present duty would be none
the less plain and imperative. Our PEG
one act of usurDation of power as ar
excuse for another. The first may pos
sibly be due to mistake: the second, be
ing based on the first. cannot be. II
that the order relied on simply provided
that the age of rs years should be re
garded as evidence of inability to per
form manual labor. Few men are abl'
but nearly all men are at 81. The frs
order is based on a fact that experience
teaches, the other is based on the asser
ton of that which is not true as a gen
eral rule.
THE old INQUIRY: What are you go
new form. 1t is said by the administra
ton, in reply to the public criticism o.
opponents sincerity in this matter. Thu
order in question is revocable at thu
pleasure of the executive. If our CD
ponents come into power they can revok'
treat the veterans of 81 and 20 as pre-
5umably in full bodily vigor and no
~ 4 E2E ~v- Y-, NU..--