The Pickens sentinel-journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1903-1906, 1904-08-10

there be opened to Chinese immi-
grants, an energetic people, who will
build up agricultural and commercial
interests. Some of the best informed
men with whom l have talked, men
who have lived there, tell me that
the Chinaman is one of the most in
Industrious, while the Filipino is
the most indolent and thriftless OF our
Inhabitants there. II, then, it is com
mercial greed that is actuating us, why
not make the most of it?
Now, as to pensions. This govern
ment paid out during the last fiscal
year 138,360,70O for pensions, and
this mammoth amount is little more
than campaign fund. President
Roosevelt, acting in his legislative ca
pacity, not an uncommon role for him,
decreed that every federal soldier over
GO years of age is entitled to a pen
sion, his age being accepted as sufi-
cient evidence of disability. Acting
under this order inspired by the pres
ident, the pension bureau has literall,
flooded the doubtful states with pen
claimants from other states.
| am sorry to say, however, that in
the matter of pensions we have little
to hope for from either party The
south on the pension question is in
very much the same predcamcnt as
was an old Virginia farmer during
the war, who had been robbed by
Federals and Confederatcs. Walking
out one morning and looking over the
wreck OF what was once his we'll
equipped farm, he said: We'll
never took no sides in this here war
but be gol darned if both sides haint
took me-
1t is one of the bitter DEGREES Of
fate that 'he war impoverished South
ern veteran must contribute from the
Scanty earnings Of his feeble hands to
the comfort and ease Of his conquer.
ocratic rule wc may hope for an emo
nOmical and judicious distribution OF
the pension fund. but little more, SO
much has this appropriation become
a vote substituting fund, upon which
both parties are dependent in meas
ure for election.
There was a time in the history of
this government when "a public Office
was public trust Today "a pub
lie office is a private snap" in the esti-
nation of republican officials The
salaries Of republican officials in many
instances are so out of portion
with the little work they do that we
can readily account for doubled apprO-
priations. One striking example of
this extravaganza may be seen in the
report of the secretary of the treas
ury, showing that 1872 custom house
officers employed at salaries and eX-
penscs amounting to $lGi,O0O collected
but $G3 ,O0O. AT Gloucester. Massachu-
sctts. it costs $1S,lS9 to collect $5,l32 !;
at BraHOs, Texas, it costs $3l,99l TO
collect $4,731. These are only a few
incidents which might bc multiplied
until you are tired hearing them OF
course. there are other ports which
pay very much in excess OF the cost
of collection. but it only goes to show
the cXtravagant methods of protec-
tion and the crying necessity for re-
form in the mode OF collecting rcvc.
nue..
The next great difference between
the national parties is on the Qucs
tion of subsidies. The republican
party, not content with making you
- E,r, 10
per cent. to the manufactures. would
take an additional toll from you to en-
able the trusts to carry those goods
from your ccntcrs OF trade at very
low shipping rate to the door Of the
competing foreign purchaser. 1t is 2
repetition of the old millers conduct.
who said 10 one of his boys: John,
you toll that corn?" Yes. sir" SAYS
John. Turning to another. he said.
Tom, yOu toll that corn" Yes.
sir" II believe you are both liars SO
Gll toll il myself" A bill providing
a subsidy OF something like ten mil.
lions. a direct gift to the shipping in
tcreSts, passed the senate during the
last session, and was barely killed IN
house committee by the aid of two re
n"wcd. and so sure as republican adj
ministration is elected will pass both
houses.
In closing let me summarize what
we stand for and upon what we hope
to win in the next election. We stand
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