New-York tribune., 1904-08-11
JUDGE P4RKER'S SPEECH.


Those who have expected that on the removal
| of the judicial seal from his lips Judge Parker
! would show himself a great constructive STATES
man are doomed TO disappointment his speech
| of acceptance is studied and deXterous appear
| for the votes of the colorless. 1t is not con-
| servative. but negative. Making the most OF
the pose of judicial temperament and superior
! devotion to law. the candidate runs away from
| any definite statement on any vital issue DeIore
the country divorces himself as far as poSslOie
/ from the Democratic masses. and seeks 10 con-
vey the impression that If he were elecleu Ine
| government would go on about as now he re-
iterates traditional Democratic platitudes, but
when ii comes TO actual policies he mas hothlhs
to offer but assurances that he VIII 90 no Aatul'
The Democratic platform demands new ie7ls-
lation against trusts, but Judge Parker haStehS
10 assure the trusts that he thinks no leglSla-
+ion necessary. while he comforts the common
neopIe" with the declaration that all that is
needed is the enforcement Of existing law by
the administration. He says the Supreme
Court can be trusted to afford a complete legal
remedy against monopoly, but he does not note
that the three Democratic members OF the court
denied its power 10 give the latest relief, while
only Republican judges interpreted the law so
as TO control monopoles He calls for 1.-The dis
position and the courage TO enforce existing
law" Just as if all the effective work of en-
forcement had not been done by Republican ad-
ministrations and as if his only hope Of election
was not based on the resentment in Eastern
financial centres against President Roosevelt
for subiecting lawless schemes Of monopoly TO
test in the courts.
Judge Parker repeats the familiar Democratic
tariff arguments, though he is careful not TO
offend the protectionists in his party. He
merely declares against excessive" duties. and
then treasures the business community by dis
claiming any expectation of any tariff revision
save that to which a Republican Senate might
consent Tariff reform thus becomes mere
empty talk 10 catch votes. Free traders are in
vited 10 vote for an idea, while protecuonists
are told that the Republican policy will control
the situation.
Concerning the Philippines. Judge Parker is
careful TO make no issue with the Republicans
in the realm of practical administration. His
'antimperialism" is purely academic. He con-
cedes the propriety of our rule by saying The
accident of war brought the Philippines into
our possession, and we are not at liberty 10
disregard the responsibility which thus came
TO us" He objects TO permanently denying
the right of self-government to the Filipinos,"
and urges that they be prepared as rapidly as
possible for self-government, which is exactly
what the Republican administration is doing
for them. Apparently, in practice he would not
alter President Roosevelts administrative pol
icy, but he wants the United States TO pledge
itself now TO leave the Philippines when IT
thinks the proper time has arrived.
Judge Parker speaks of the admirable plat
form" Of his party, but he did not find it con-
venient TO discuss some parts Of IL which would
not have hGrmonized with his exaggerated as
sumption Of judicial conservatism. 1t would be
interesting to know what he thinks OF the plat
forms demand for trial by jury in cases Of
indirect contempt" which is merely the newest
form Of the old cry against government Dy in
junction" and is designed 10 prevent courts
from enforcing their equity DEGREES against law
less strikers. He devotes a considerable part of
his speeSh 10 the Colorado troubles and the ex-
pulsion of miners from the State. in the evident
attempt 10 curry favor with their sympathlzers,
for the questions involved are not federal and
they have 10 be dragged by the ears into
speech accepting a Presidential nomination.
He processes great concern for the Fourteenth
Amendment when speaking OF the Philippines
and Of the rights Of citizens TO live and work
where they viii, but he ignores completely the
open abridgment Of the privileges and immuni-
ties of citizens in the Southern States. Finally
he promises that II elected he Will not be a can
didate for or accept a second term. President
Hayes made a similar pledge President Cleve-
lduQ IN lis uISl leLltI Oh acceptance put 1OI III
the same argument for the independence Of a
one term President, and urged a constitutional
amendment against reelection. That did not,
however, prevent him from running for the
Office three times IN succession. The purpose of
Judge Parker's declaration is evident in the
light of the rest Of his speech. Having min
imized the demands of his party, and argued
that It would or could effect no revolutionary
changes, but that the cardinal Republican pol
icies would remain in force. he still realizes
that the Denocracy's record is not one to make
it trusted. So he announces that he would be
independent of his party if elected. Having
nothing to ask Of it. he would be free TO prevent
its carrying out its plans
The whole speech is an obvious attempt to
force the personal issue TO the 'front.' to bury
out of sight the Democracy which has not only
been insane for eight years, but for four years
before that played havoc with the administra-
ton Of its own safe and sane" President Cleve-
land, and to put forward Judge Parker as better
than his party.