New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-08-19
ArDDLIyG THE REAL ISSUES.

The historian of the distant future reading an
account of the Davis notification ceremony 1T
White Sulphur Springs will probably be puz-
lied TO tell what Wednesdays excitement at
that famous watering place was all about Inc
Hon John Sharp Williams strayed on INTO
haze of analogue and allegory, and the veneer
able and amiable statesman at whom his para
doxes were hurled seemed equally concerned 10
.mystify and muddy the true situation 1t Wouiu
take an expert in the Higher Criticism 10 III,
rayel from Wednesdays deliverances tle re"i
meaning OF the notification ceremony or 10 as
cover without other help, what relation ule
candidacy OF Henry G. Davis. there announced,
bears TO the issues of the pending fresldehtiai
canvass. Judge Parker, In accepting the Demo
cratic Presidential nomination found 1t adylS-
able to observe Il judicial indecision on many
issues; but Mr. Davis, in accepting the vice
Presidential nomination. has sagaciously lgnoreo
any and every political question on winch ne
felt it embarrassing imprudent to express an
opinion.
On one point only does he venture into inc
field of present day political discussion. lie u
willing TO risk mild and feeble lmltatloh Oh
Judge Parker's "heroism" in dealing Win the
money question He is anxious to share the
credit and responsibility of Judge Parkers gold
standard telegram 10 the ST. Louis convention.
With the convention and its nominee Tor
President" Mr. Davis hastens TO say, i re-
gard the present monetary standard OF value
"as irrevocably established" This uttcrance
NAV be called "heroic" by Democratic editors
with short memories Yet to make it, the Demo
cratic candidate for Fice-Presdent has 10 stul"
tify his own record He has 10 reverse his own
votes and action as n delegate TO the St Louis
convention, and 10 condemn his own work in
that body as member OF It's committee on
resolutions. Mr.. Davis at st. Louis voted IN
committee TO report TO the convention plat
form which refused TO recant the free silver
coinage declarations Of 1896 and 1900 In the
convention he voted to accept that platform,
silent and purposey silent as it was, on the
money question. That was on July S. Yet on
August II he can assert that, with the con-
veution," he regards "the present monetary
standard Of value as irreyocably established
If this he "heroism"-or even practical states
manship-the Democratic managers are vel
come to make the most OF IL.
Next to bis lightning change" Oh the money
question, the chief thing Of interest in Mr..
Davis's speech is his complaint that the cost OF
national administration is steadily increasing.
1t would be almost as sensible 10 complain that
the population of the United States Is steadily
increasing. No change OF administration can
stop this gradual enlargement in national ex-
penditures. We are "billion dollar" country
now. and look forward with hopefulness 10 the
country. Mr.. Davis laments the fact that the
deficit for the fiscal year 10000 was 41.o00,
600. That deficit was caused by the payment
Of $50, 00o.o 600 for an Isthmian canal plant and
an isthmian canal route. Would Mr. Davis pre-.
fer 10 have saved the 100000. had surplus
of 600 instead Of a deficit of S41,000,000
in the years account and let the construction
Of an interoceanic canal go over for another
generation? Does he criticise the $4,000 900
expenditure in Panama! If be does. he does
something he was afraid TO do at ST. Louis
where he voted for a platform calling for the
speedy" construction Of a canal across Pan
anna The increased national expenditure which
the candidate laments has been due in recent
years almost exclusively TO the enlargement Of
the navy. Does Mr.. Davis want naval construc-
ton 10 cease: If he does, he and his party were
similarly afraid 10 put that demand In the Dem
ocratic national platform.
Altogether the White Sulphur Springs per-
Torrance was far from mastery. 1t only deep.
ems the impression that the Democratic candi-
dates have neither the disposition nor the cour-
age TO face the real issues of the campaign.