River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1904-09-29
PARKER ACCEPTS
THE HIGH HONOR
LETTER OF DEMOCRATIC CAN
DIDATE MADE PUBLIC.
SYNOPSIS OF THE DOCUMENT
Paramount Issues Are Declared to Be
the Tariff, Imperialism, Economy
of Administration and Hon
esty in Public Service.

New York, Sept. 26.-Judge Parker's
formal letter of acceptance to the demo-
cratic notification committee is doc
ument of some 5000 words, and is adj
dressed to Hon. Champ Clark and other
members of the committee. In the open
ing paragraph Judge Parker says he
wishes his remarks made at the time
of his notification to be considered a
part of his formal response. Continu-
ing, he says:
Grave public questions are pressing
for decision. The democratic party ap
peals to the people with confidence that
its position on these questions will be
accepted and indorsed at the polls.
While the issues involved are numerous,
some stand forth preeminent in the
public mind. Among these are: Tariff
reform, imperialism, economical adj
ministration and honesty in the public
service.
On the subject of imperialism the let
ter says: eff we would retain our lib
critics and constitutional rights unim-
paired, we cannot permit or tolerate, at
any time or for any purpose, the AFRO
cation of unconstitutional power by the
executive branch of our government"
Turning to the subject of the tariff,
and the democratic demand for reform
in that line, he says:
Tariff reform. is one of the cardinal
principles of the democratic faith, and
the necessity for it was never greater
than at the present time. 1t should be
undertaken at once in the interest of all
our people.
''In the words of our platform, we de-
mand "a revision and a gradual reduc-
ton of the tariff by the friends of the
masses, and for the common veal, and
not by the friends of it's abuses, its ex-
tortions and determinations.
AS remedies for trusts Judge Parker
favors such legislation within consti-
tutional limitations as will best promote
and safeguard the interests of all the
people.
1.-The national democracy favors lib
eral pensions to the surviving soldiers
and sailors and their dependents, on
the ground that they deserve liberal
treatment. 1t pledges by it's platform
adequate legislation to that end. But
it denies the right Of the executive to
usurp the power of congress to legis-
late on that subject. Such usurpatiOn
was attempted by pension order No.
78, and effect has been given to it by
congress that dared not resent the
usurpatiOn. 1t is said that this order
was made in the performance of a duty
imposed upon the president by act of
congress-, but the provision making
the imposition is not pointed out.
cit is said by the administration, in
reply to the public criticism Of this
order, that it is easy to test our OPP
ponents' sincerity in this matter. The
order in question is reyOcable at the
pleasure OF the executive. If our OPP
pOnents come into power they can re-
woke this order and announce that
they will treat the veterans of 62 and
70 as presumably in full bodily vigor
and not entitled to pension. Will they
authoritatively state that they intend
to- do this? Ii so we accept the is
sue.
THE making of that order was, in
my judgment, an attempted, though
perhaps unwilling, encroachment upon
the legislative power, and, therefore,
unwarranted by the constitution, the
challenge is accepted. If elected, will
revoke that order. But | go further
and say that that being done, l will
contribute my effort toward the enact
ment of a law to be passed by both
houses of congress and approved by
the executive that will give an age
pension without reference to disability
to the surviving heroes of the civil
war.
In concluding his letter Judge Par
ker says:
'"The issues are joined and the peo-
pie must render the verdict.
Shall economy of administration he
demanded, or shall extravaganza be
encouraged?
"Shall our government stand for
equal opportunity, or for special privi-
lege?
Shall the wrongdoer be brought TO
bay by the people, or must justice wait
upon political oIigarchy?
"Shall it remain a government of
law, or become one of individual ca
price?
Shall we cling to the rule of the
people, or shall we embrace beneficent
despotism?
"If it be the wish of the people that
1 undertake the duties of the presi-
dency, 1 pledge myself, with Gods
help, to devote all my powers and en-
ergy to the duties of this exalted of
fee Very truly yours,
CATION ID DADHED