The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1904-10-07
To the Honorable Champ Clark and
Others, Committee, etc: :

llLQeEE- Oouu-LLEEg ELE-s
Gentlemen-In my response to your
committee, at the formal notification
proceedings, / referred 10 some matters
not mentioned IN this letter. 1 desire
that these be considered as incorpO-
rated herein, and regret that lack Of
space prevents specific reference TO
them all wish here however, again
I TO refer to my views there expressed
as to the gold standard, TO declare
again my unqualified belief in said
standard, and to express my appEecia-
/ ton Of the action Of the convention in
reply to my communication upon that
I subject.
/ Grave public questions are pressing
I for decision. The Democratic party
/ appeals 70 the people with confidence
I that its position on these questions
will be accepted and endorsed at the
polls. While the issues involved are
/ numerous, some stand forth pre-emi-
nent in the public mind. Among these
4 are tariff reform, imperialism, eCOnom-
\ ical administration and honesty in the
I public service. I shall briefly consider
/ these and some others within the nee
/ essarily prescribed limits OF this letter.
EXECUTIVE ENCOURAGEMENT.
/ While 1 presented my views at the
I notification proceedings concerning this
/ vital issue, the OvershadOwing impOr-
] lance Of this question impels me 10
\ refer to il again. The issue is often
times referred to as 'COnstitutiOnalism
VS.. Imperialism"
/ If we would retain our liberties and
/ constitutional right Unimpaired, we can
/ not permit or tolerate, at any time or
l for any purpose, the arrOgatiOn Of IN
\ constitutional powers by the executive
4 branch Of our Government. We should
/ be ever mindful Of the words Of Web
/ ster, Liberty is only to be preserved
/ by maintaining constitutional re-
\ straints and just divisions Of political
/ powers"
Already the National Government
! has become centralized beyond any
4 point contemplated or imagined by the
! trainers Of the Constitution. How ire
/ mendOusIy all this has added to the
] powers Of the President 1t has de-
I velepOd from year to year until it al
most equals that Of many mOnarchs.
While the growth Of our country and
/ the magnitude Of interstate interests
may seem TO furnish a plausible reason
I for this Capitalization of power, yet
1 these same facts afford the most pO-
/ tent reason why the Executive should
not be permitted TO encrOach upon the
I
and assume legislative, or other pow
ers, not expressly conferred by the
Constitution.
The magnitude Of the country and
its diversity of interests and pOpula-
ton would enable a determined, ambi-
tiOus and able Executive, unmindful Of
/ constitutional limitations and fired
with the lust Of power, to 90 far in
/ the usurpatiOn Of authority and the
/ ACKNOWLEDGMENT Of personal power be
fore the situtiOn could be fully appre-
ciated or the people be aroused.
The issue of Imperialism which has
! been thrust upon the country involves
/ a decision whether the law Of the land
/ or the rule of individual caprice shall
I govern. The principle of imperialism
may give rise TO brilliant, startling.
I dashing results, but the principle OF
/ democracy holds in check the brilliant
/ Executive and subjects him to the
sober, conservative control Of the PEG
/ pie.
The people Of the United States
I stand at the parting Of the ways.
I Shall we follow the footsteps Of our
I fathers along the paths Of peace, pros
I perity and cOHtentment, guided by the
I everything spirit Of the Constitution,
which they framed for US, or shall we
/
I ertO Stunned by all, following blindly
new ideals, which, though appealing
with brilliancy TO the Imagination and
ambition, may prove a viii O the wisp,
/ leading US into difficulties from which
/ il may be impossible TO eXtricate our
/ selves without lasting injury to our
I National character and Institutions?
TARIFF REFORM AT ONCE.
I Tariff reform is one Of the cardinal
I principles Of the Democratic faith, and
7 the necessity for il was never greater
I than at the present time 1t should be
I undertaken at once in the interest OF
I all our people.
The Dingley tariff is excessive in
many Of its rates, and, as 10 them at
/ least, unjuStly and Oppressively bur
/ dens the people. II secures to domestic
manufacturers, singiy or in cOmbina-
I ton, the privilege OF eXacting excessive
I prices at home and prices Tar above the
7 level Of sales made regularly by them
I abroad with profit, thus giving a
I bounty to foreigners at the expense Of
I our own people. Its unjust taxation
/ burdens the people generally forcing
/ them 10 pay excessive prices for food,
I fuel. clothing and other necessaries
Of life. 1T leYies duty on many articles
I not normally imported in any consider
able amount, which are made extern
siTely at home, for which the most ex-
/ irene DrOtectiOnist would hardly jus
/ tify protective taxes, and which IN
/ large amounts are exported. Such
I duties have been and viii continue 10
/ be q direct incentive TO the formation
OF huge industrial combinations, which
secure from foreign competition, are
eGs bled 70 stife domestic competition
and practically to mOnOpolize the home
market.
1t contains many duties imposed for
( the express purpose only, as was openly
aFOWed, Of furnishing a basis for re
duction By means OF reciprocal trade
7 treaties. which ~ae Republican admin
+ fstrati0n. implicitly, at least, promised
: to negotiate. Having on this promise
secured the increased duties. the Re
publican party leaders. spurred on BY
( protected interests, defeated the treat
I les negotiated By the Executive, AID