The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1904-10-07
TIME FOR CHANGE
Davis Thinks Present Admins
tration Too "Heady"
rs TOO EXTRAVAGANT
Country Declared to Be Drifting
Toward Observation-Disclosures
ton, Race Issue and Fraud In
Public Service Discussed

Elkins, w. Va, Oct. 3-The letter
of acceptance of Henry G. Davis,
Democratic candidate for vice presi-.
dent, says in part:
The times are propitious for the re-
irstatement of the Democratic party
liz control of the government. The
public mind is being disillusioned Of the
pretension of the Republican party, so
long and so arrogantly made, that the
material prosperity of the country de-
ponds upon its own ascendancy.
Thoughtful and patriotic people are be-
coming more and more distrustful of
the heady and personal element of the
present administration, and are more
than willing to see it replaced by one
that better recognizes constitutional
and other lawful restraints. They de-
mand that the present wasteful ex-
travagance in the expenditure of the
money, drawn by taxation from the in
dustry of the people, shall cease, and
that economy and honesty in the pub
lie service shall be again regarded as
virtues in the high places of the gov
eminent.
We all hail as the harbinger of the
new era in the commerce of the world
the inception of the great work of
building the canal that is to join the
two great oceans; but we deprecate the
action of the present administration,
which inflicted a wound upon our ma
rights of weaker nation, in order to
gain a doubtful credit for energy in
forwarding that great enterprise.
These and many otner unwarranted
things that belong more to an empire
than a republic, have occurred under
the present administration, and brought
deep concern and alarm to thoughtful
and patriotic minds. They must be re-
garded as the first fruits of Imperialism,
and show how fast we are drifting to-
ward absolutism and centralized power.
That many of the existing tariff rates
are excessive and enable powerful com
binations to eXtort unjust and oppres-
sive tribute from the people cannot be
controverted. The tariff is undoubtedly
too high upon such articles as enables
the manufacturer to sell his products
abroad cheaper than at home. Relief
from these conditions will only come
through the success of the Democratic
party, which stands for wise, con-
servative and gradual change in the
tariff laws, which will equalize the
burdens of taxation and make honest
competition possible.
Local self-government is the very
cornerstone of our political structure
and the best assurance of liberty regu-
lated by law. The, Democratic party
has always resisted, and will continue
tC resist, the encroachment by its
enemies upon the fundamental right of
the people of the several states.
The declaration in the st. Louis plat
form in favor of arbitration is one that
appeals to my sense of fairness. Its
permanent establishment as a part of
the industrial system of the country,
upon basis of mutual consent of all
parties to controversy, would insure
ployer and employed, for the interest
of the workingman and the employer
is identical.
All lovers of their country must
deprecate the rehabilitation by the Re
publican party of a disappearing race
issue. The revival of this issue, with
all it's attendant evils, must of neces-
sity retard the development of the
southern states, whose people are
struggling manfully with conditions left
by the war, and seriously interferes
with the industrial progress of both
races.
Population and fraud in the public
service under the present administra-
ton reached such proportions that
knowledge of the evils practiced be-
came public property. Prosecutions
naturally followed, but thorough and
impartial investigation by congress,
and urged by the Democratic
minority, was refused by the Republi-
cans at the mandate, 1t is believed, of
the administration.
Offices are created ana filled in pursu-
ance of law to carry ON the government,
and not to further party ambitions
and the selfish purpose of any citizen. !
Many of the hundred thousand federal !
otficeholders, servants of all the people, !
while under salary, are now vigorously !
working and contributing in the pres !
ent campaign to secure the success of |
the Republican party, in defiant viola
ton of the civil service laws, rules and |
regulations.
The late Democratic convention, and |
its candidate for president, have given |
signal exhibition of a mutual respect |
and confidence almost unprecedented in |
our political history, and our party has |
received new inspiration and hope in |
its appeal to the people, who always |
and admire courage, char
acter and discretion in their leaders. |
Our candidate has these qualities.
With undated trust in the efficiency |
of the cardinal principles of our great |
party, when applied to the practical
realize the blessings of peace and pros
perity for all, and believing that the |
people will correct the present abuses
Of administration by a change of party |
in power. | await with confidence the |
result Of their judgment at the polls.
HnmIItons Have n Peerage Trust.
The handsome Hamiltons" have
kind Of trust in the peerage business