Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1904-09-30

Our martyrcd president. William Me
Knley, appreciated this situation. He
pointed out in his last address to the
people that we must make sensible
trade arrangements if I'VE shall eX-
tend the outlets for our increasing sur
plus He said: a system which pro-
videS mutual exchange of comInodi-
ties is manifestly essential to the con-
tinuod and healthful growth of our eX-
port trade. The period of exclu-
sivcncsS Is past The expansion of our
trade and commerce is the pressing
problem. Commercial wars are unprof
table. \ policy of good will and
friendly relations will prevent repris-
ais. Reciprocity treaties are in har-
mony with the spirit of the times;
measures of retaliation are not"
This argument was made in the in
ter"st of our manufacturers. whose
proAucts. he urged, "have so multi
piled that the problem of more markets
requires our urgent and immediate at
tention." He had come to realize that
the SO called stand pat policy must
give way: that there must he Il reduc-
ton of duties to enable our manufuc-
turers to cultivate foreign markets
The last words of this president. who
had won the affection of his country
men, ought to he studied by every man
who has any doubt of the necessity of
Il reduction in tariff rates in the inter
est of the manufactures. They present
with clcnrncSS Il situation and a pro-
posed remedy that prompted the provi-
sion in our platform which declares
that eve favor liberal trade arrange
ments with Canada and with peoples
of other countries where they can be
entered into with benefit to American
agriculture, manufactures. mining or
commerce"
The persistent refusal of the Repub-
lican majority in the federal senate to
ratify the reciprocity treaties nego
tiated In pursuance of the policy ad
vOcated alike by Mr. Blaine and Mr.
Mckinley, and expressly sanctioned in
the Dingley act itself. is n discourag
ing exhibition of bad faith. AS already
mentioned by me. the exorbltant duty
imposed on many an imported article
by the Dingley tariff was avowedly in
tended by its author not to be perma-
nent, but to serve temporarily rs a
maximum, from which the federal gov
eminent was empowered to offer re-
duction in return for an equivalent
concession on the part Of a foreign
country. President Mckinley under
took honestly to carry out the purpose
of the act. A number Of reciprocity
agreements We're negotiated. which. IL
ratified, would have had the twofold
result Of cheapening many imported
products for American consumers and
Of opening and charging foreign mar
kets to American producers. Not one
of those agreements has met with the
approval OF the Republican masters Of
the senate. Indeed they did not even
permit their consideration. In view
of the attitude of the present execu-
tive. no new agreement need be cx-
pected from him. Nor does the Re
publican platform contain favorable
reference to one of the suspended
treaties. The reciprocity clauses Of
the Dingley act seem destined to re-
main monument Of legislative cOzen-
age and political bad faith unless the
people take the matter in their own
hands at the ballot box and command
reduction Of duties in return for
reciprocal concessions.
independence For the FiIipinos.
In some quarters 1t has been assum-
ed that in the discussion Of the Philip
pine question in my response the
phrase "self government" was intend
ed to mean something less than indie
pendence. 1t was not intended that 1t
should be understood to mean nor do
/ think as used II does mean less than
Independence. However, to eliminate
all possibility for conjecture l now
state that l am In hearty accord with
that plank in our platform that favOrs
doing for the Filipinos what We have
already done for the Cubans, and /
favor making the promise to them now
that we shall take such action as soon
as they are reasonably prepared for it.
II independence such as the Cubans
enjoy cannot be prudently granted to
the FilipinOs ut this time, the promise
that it shall come the moment they
are capable Of receiving 1t will tend to
stimulate rather than hinder their de-
velOpment. And this should be done
not only In justice to the Filipinos, but
RI vtyt,fc Frn
people cannot withhold freedom from
another people and themselves remain
free. The liberation Of tyranny over
Others will soon breedcOntempt for free
dom and self government and weaken
our power Of resistance to insidiOus
usurpation of our constitutional rights
American Citizenship.
The pledge Of the platform to secure
to our citizens, without distinction Of
race or creed, whether native born or
naturalized, Mt home and abroad, the
equal protection of the laws and the
enjoyment Of all the rights and privi-
leges open to them under the covenants
Of our treaties. as their just due, should
be made good to them. In the accom-
plishment of that result it is essential
that passport issued by the govern
ment Of the United States to IN Amer
lean citizen shall be accepted the world
over as proof OF citizenship.
Civil Service.
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 frequent
ly been Of such character as to Of
fend against the spirit of the statute,
bur the results achieved, even under a
partial enforcement of the law. have
been such as to both deserve and COM
mand the utterance of the Democratic
party that it stands committed to the
principle of civil service reform and
demands its just and impartial ell
fOrcement.
Reclamation Of Arid Lands.
A vast eXpanse of country In the
west, portions Of which are to be found