The Greeley tribune., 1904-09-28
AFEW WORDS
THEY SUFFICE TO OUTLINE
DEMOCRATIC POLICY
Judge Parker's. Letter of Accept
ance Z Notable Contrast to
Wordy Epistle of
Roosevelt

Following is a synopsis of Judge
Alton B. Parker's acceptance of the
democratic nomination for the office
of president:
ITO the Hon. Champ Clark and
others, Gentlemen;
''In my response to your committee
at the formal notification proceed
ings, l referred to some matters in
connection with this letter. / de-
sire to incorporate them herein and
wish again to declare my unqualified
belief as to the gold standard. Grave
public questions are pressing for de-
cision. Among these are tariff re-
form, Imperialism, economical ad-
ministration and honesty in the pub
lie service. The over-shadowing
Importance of Imperialism impels
me to refer to it once again. We
can not permit or tolerate the arro-
cation of unconstitutional powers by
the executive branch of our govern
ment. Already the national govern
ment has become centralized beyond
any point contemplated by the found
ers of the constitution. 1t has added
tremendously to the powers of the
President. Still, the executive should
not be permitted to encroach upon
the other departments of the govern
ment and assure legislative or other
powers not expressly conferred by the
constitution. The issue of imperial
ism involves decision, whether the
law of the land or Individual caprice
shall govern; the people of the
United States are at a parting, of the
ways. Shall we follow the footsteps
of our fathers, or go along other and
untried paths, leading us into diff
culties. ,.,,
"Taritf reform is one OF the carii
nal principles Of the democratic faith.
The Dingley tariff is excessive, un-
J justly and oppressiveiy burdens the
i people. 1t secures to domestic man
ufacturers in. combination the priv
| ilege of exacting excessive prices at
Ihome, far above the level of sales
made, by them abroad with profit,
thus giving a bounty to foreigners at
the expense of our people. We de-
mand revision and gradual .reduc-
tion of the tariff
Judge Parker touches on trust REM
edies, favoring such legislation as
we'll best promote and safeguard the
interests OF all the people. Refer
ing to reciprocity he applauds the
last speeches Of the late President
| Mckinley, and denounces the per-
sistent refusal OF the republican
majority in the senate to ratify the
reciprocity treaties advocated both by
MIR. Blaine and Mr.. Mckinley. The
letter also advocates Independence
for the Philippines the same as granted
the Cubans. The letter declares in
favor of reclamation of arid lands;
i criticises the Panama canal methods
as violating national good faith, but
urges now the completion of the
1 ditch. Efforts to increase American
i merchant marines are favored, and
4 both the army, and navy are given u
| word of commendation. Pensions for
4 soldiers and sailors are also sup
i ported. and the utmost reform in
J governmental expenditures urged.
4 Judge Parker s;tys that the expendi-
LtureS of the last fiscal year amounted
TO 5S2 millions, while the expendi-
ture of 1886, when Grover Cleveland
was in, power, only amounted to ~
millions. There has been, a tre-
mendolls percentage of increase i'm
operating expenses of the government,
vet there is. not a sentence in the
! republican platform recommending a
reduction in the expenditures of the
government, not a line suggesting
that the increase In. the cost OF the
] war department from 34 millions in
1886 to ll5 million in 1904 should be
inquired into. N
! Judge Parker closes his letter with
the following words:
! 2 81 have put aside a eongenial work
to which had expected to devote my
life, In order to assume as best ! can
the Responsibilities your convention
put upon me-. 81 l solicit the cooper
alton and generous assistance Of ev-
ery man who believes that a change Of
measures and Of men at this time