The Monticellonian., 1904-09-29

OIL. XXXV.-NO. 36. come of intelligent and persistent efforts or leading citizens. prONsiing for the clamaton of the arid lands for the benefit of homeseekers. The magnitude of the conception, and the enormous ex- pense ttS carrying out involves, makes Us realize the overwhelming importance 0I Fl broad, capable and honest admins- tratIon of the work authorized by the statute, if effect Is to be given to that i part "f the plan that relieves the country l al large from ultimate liability.
 Panama Canal.
 "Au lsthmlan canal has long been the l hope of our statesmen. and the avowed i aim of the two great parties. their i platforms In the past show The Panama I route having been selected, the building i of the canal should be pressed to com i pleton with all reasonable expedition.
 Ghe methods by which the executive acquired the Panama canal route and To them, the statement that thereby great public work was assured to the pFont of our people is not sufficient S~er to the charge of violation of Hd- uoual good faith.
 American Shipping.
 "Our commerce. Iii American bottoms amounts to but eight per cent of our total exports and imports For seventy years
 
 came into power. our merchant marine carried an average of i5 per cent. of our f9fssn for commerce.. By IS17 it had d~in- eontemtlblx small fraction Of our exports and imports
 Tt Is an araaou3 task to undo the ef- feet ot forty years of decadenCe. and l qulres the study and investigation Of I those best fitted by experience to find the reme,lY-which surely does not lie in the granting of subsidies. Wruns from the pockets Of all the taxpayers.
 investigation of Government De
 partments.
 Recent disclosures, coupled with the i rapid augmentation of government ex- peuditures, show a need of an investga- 1 ton of every department of the govern rueut. The democrats in congress de- manded il. The republican majority re- fused the demand. The people can de termine by their vote in November whether they wish an honest and thor ough investigation.
 Army nnd Navy.
 We are justly proud of the officers aHd men of our army and navy. Both. ] however, have suffered from the persist i eul injection of personal and political in huenee. Promotions and appointments i have been frequently based on favoritism l instead Of merit. Trials and court mar l tiai5 have been set aside under ctrcum- stances indicating political interference. These and otker abuses should be cor i rected.
 l Pensions For sofdters nnd Sailors.
 "The national democracy favors liberal I pensions u the surviving soldiers and sailors and their dependents. on the ground that they deserve liberal treat ment It pledges by it's platform ade- i quate legislation to that end. But 1t de- ntes the right of the executive to usurp I the power of congress to leglSlate on that subject Such usurpation was at tempted by pension order Nc. 7s and effect has been given to it by q congress that dared not resent the asurpation.
 If elected will revoke that order I But 1 go further and say that that being i done I will contribute my effort toward ] the enactment of law that will give an age pension. without reference to dis | ablity, ta the surviving heroes of the civil war. by and under the provision Of which pension may be accepted with dignity.
 Foreign Relations. I
 ..'The foreign relations of the govern ment have in late years assumed special | importance Prior to the acquisition of | the Philippines. We were practically in vulnerable against attacks by foreign | states. Those tropical possessions how ever. seven thousand miles from our shores. have changed all this, and have in i effect put Us under bonds to keep the i peace. The new conditions call for d management of foreign affairs, the more l circumspect in that the recent American inva sion of foreign markets in all parts i of the world has excited the serious ap- t prehension of all the great industrial peoples. It is essential, therefore, more I than ever. to adhere strictly to the tra- ditional policy of the country as formu- lated by its first president and never in my judgment wisely departed from.
 ''Twenty-eight years have passed since the democratic party of the state of New York, in convention assembled recom- mended to the national democracy the i nomination of Samuel J. Ttlden ita candidate for the presidency. and declared 1t to be their settled conviction that a return to the constitutional principles. | frugal expenses and administrative purity ! or the founders or the republic Is the first and most precious duty of the times | the commanding issue now before the people of the union.
 This strong expression was called forth by the national expenditures for the year 1875. which amounted to 2l4.- 1 000. 0l0-a situation which. in the opinion of majority of our people. justified an imperative demand for reform in the ad- ministratton of public affairs As the ex- l penditures of the last fiscal year amount l ed to the enormous total of S5S2. 000. 900, ie ] Is evident that a thorough investigation of the public service and the immediate abandonment or useless and extraVagant 1 expenditures are more necessary now than they were then.
 Conclusion.
 ''I have put aside cOagenal work in | which l had expected to devote my life. | in order to assume, as best l can. the 1 responsibilities your convention put upon l me
 ''I solicit the cordial cooperation and ! generous assistance of every man who ] believes that d change Of measures and men at this time would be wise. and urge ! harmony of endeavor well vgor- ous action on the part of all so minded
 "'The issues are joined and the people ! must render the verdict.
 Shall economy of administration be l demanded or shall extravaganza be en- ! couraged2
 Shall the wrong-doer be brought to bay by the people, or must justice wait upon political oligarchy?
 Shall our government stand for equal opportunity for special privilege?
 shall 1t remain a government of law or become one of individual caprice? pie. shall we embrace benefcent des- potism?
 With calmness and confidence we l await the peoples verdict.
 If called to the office of president shall consider myself the chief magistrate | Of all the people. and not of any faction and shall ever be mindful of the fact that 1 on many questions of national policy there are honest differences of opinion
 'l believe in the patriotism, good sense ! and absolute sincerity of ali ths people shall strive to remember that he may serve his party best who serves his coun- ! try best
 1 undertake the duties of the presidency. l | pledge myself with God 5 help. to de- | vote all my powers and energy to tho duties of the exalted office.
 Very truly yours,
 ALTON R. PARKER DOcTnpc HAVE SOME 40oE