The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1904-07-27

tinue to do. In dealing with the
great organizations known as trusts,
we do not have to explain why the
laws were not enforced. but to point
out that they actually have been en-
forced and that legislation has been
enacted to increase the effectiveness
Of their enforcement.
A. to Rascals.
1--WE do not have to propose to
turn the rascals OUT for we have
shown In very deed that whenever by
diligent investigation a public official
can be found who has betrayed his
trust he will be punished to Ahe full
extent Of the law without regard to
whether he was appointed under re-
publican or democratic administra-
ton. This is the efficient way to turn
and it has the merit of sincerity.
Moreover the betrayals of trust in the
last seven years have been insignifi-
| cant in number when compared with
the extent of the public service.
Never has the administration of the
higher level; never has the public
| work Of the nation been done more
honestly and efficiently.
Gold STANDARD . Good Thing.
"Assuredly it is unwise to change
the policies which have worked so
| well and which are now working so
| well. Prosperity has come at home.
been upheld abroad. We have placed
| the finances of the nation upon a
sound gold basis. We have done this
| with the aid of men who were for
| merly our opponents, but who would
neither openly support nor silently
| acquiesce in the heresy of unsound
finance: and we have done 1t against
the convinced and violent opposition
of the mass of our present opponents
who still refuse to recant the I'M
| sound opinions which for the mo-
ment they think it inexpedient to
| assert We know what we mean
| when we speak of an honest and
stable currency. We mean the same
| thing from year to year. We do not
have to avoid definite and con-
| elusive committal on the most i'm
portant issue which has recently
been before the people, and which
| may at any time in the near future
| be before them again. Upon the prin-
ciples which underlie this issue the
| convictions of half of our number do
not clash with those of the other
| half So long as the republican party
| Is In power the gold standard is set
tied. not as matter of temporary
political expediency. not because of
shifting conditions in the production
of gold In certain mining centers, bat
In accordance with what we regard as
the fundamental principles of ma.
tional morality and wisdom.
Ample Circulation.
Under the financial legislation
which we have enacted there is now
ample circulation for every business
need; and every dollar of this cir
culation is worth dollar in gold.
5u!Ineq- lssIsluI sul peonpsI eApu sM
debt and In still larger measure the
interest on that debt. All of the war
taxes imposed during the Spanish
| war have been removed with a view
to relieve the people and to prevent
the accumulation of an unnecessary
| surplus. The result is that hardly
ever before have the expenditures
and income of the government so
closely correspondent. In the fiscal
year that has just closed the excess
OF income over the ordinary expendi-
lures was nine millions Of dollars.
This does not take account of the
nifty millions expended out OF the ac-
cumulated surplus for the purchase
or the isthmian canal 1t Is an ex-
traordinary proof of the sound finan-
cial condition of the nation that in
stead of following the usual course
In such matters and throwing the
burden upon posterity by an issue
or bonds, we were able to make the
payment outright and yet after IL to
have In the treasury. surplus OF
one hundred and sixty-one millions,
Moreover. we were able to pay this
hfty millions of dollars out of hand
without causing the slightest dis
turbance to business conditions.
Speaks Of the Tariff Law.
I'VE have enacted a tariff law UNI
der which during the past few years
the country has attained a height of
material weif-being never before
reached. Wages are higher than ever
before. That whenever the need
arises there should be readjustment
OF the tariff schedules is undoubted.
but such changes can with safety be
made only by those whose devotion
to the principle of a protective tariff
Is beyond question; for otherwise the
changes would amount not to re-
adjustment but to repeal. The read
)ustment when made must maintain
and not destroy the protective prin-
ciple. To the farmer, the merchant.
the manufacturer this is vital; but
perhaps no other man is so much in
terested as the wage-worker In the
maintenance of our present economic
system, both as regards the finances
and the tariff. The standard of living
OF our wage-workers is higher than
that of any other country, and II
can not 80 remain unless we have n
protective tariff which shall always
keep as a minimum a rate of duty
sufficient to cover the difference be-
tween the labor cost here and abroad.
Those who. like our opponents. de-