Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-02-09
FIRE ALARM" FORAKER.
Proposed Amendment to Antitrust
 Laws HI Timed.

Laws HI Timed.
 Editor of Democrat,
 ! When that gallant republican knight and statesman. Fire Alarm E'oraker proudly pranced through Ohio many years ago, announcing his intense sat 1sfaction at having been publicly | Snubbed by Mrs Cleveland at 8 WA.-te House reception, it was the generally expressed opinion of all impartial peo pie througnout the country that he we'll deserved the snub.
 His venomous, disrespectful abuse Of President Cleveland was con demned, regardless of party, by all decent people. The disgust and con tempt So generally expressed, especial ly by leaders of his own party, it was expected would soon drive him into the obsctlrity suited for minds of his cal1bre, and it did for some time.
 Foraker, however, was too useful a man to certain interests to be allowed to be laid aside, and that element, in spite of the vehement protests of the best men of the republican party, forced him again to the front. until to- day he stands forth as the champion and defender of the high-mtnded and strenuous Roosevelt, and incidentally puts in an occasional friendly word for the interests that had done so much for him in his own state.
 His proposed amendment to the Sherman antitrust laws is one of the most iu-timed and disconcerhng moves ever made by supposed supporter of presidential candidate, and while there is a well grounded belief that it was not altogether surprise to the president, the storm of indignation it has aroused throughout the country has carried consternatton into the inner councils of the republican party
 This disturbed feeling was plainly evident when Attorney General Knox. in direct violation of all our political and governmental traditions, made a statement through the press disclaim- ing any connection with the Foraker amendment, and in no uncertain lan- guage, condemning its intentions.
 The sight of & member of the presi- dents cabinet boldly denouncing g through the public press measure that isJunder consideration by one 9f the highest legislative bodies of the nation is certainly something strange, and, in fact, startling in its possibtli- ties. It causes to glide into ones memory shadowy pictures of scenes in times long pasta Cromwell dis missing a parliament, Bonaparte condemning a council.
 I imagine Roosevelt entering the senate chamber, accompanied by ''bunch' of his rough riders, and para phrasing Cromwelps words to Sir Henry Vane. crying. ''Ha, Sir Fire AlarmI Oh, Sir Fire AIarml the Lord deliver ne from Sir Fire Alarm For akerr and then having his men shoo out the aged senators like flock of old hens. good for nothing but cack- ling Jock the doors and put the, keys in his pocket.
 Of course there Is not much need to lay awake nights worrying over such things happening just yet the people are not quite educated up to that standard to-day. But who can tell what will happen 8 few years hence? We are certainly rapid 1y advancing along the lines Of imperialism and, while for short time we may call our ruler the president. His powers are getting more and more those of an emperor, and anyhow it's merely the difference of name, whether he is president or emperor as long as he IS the ruling power.
 10 SClkUeuC OL our ntlIOAStl hiS" tory the careless indifferenc of the people to the continual increase of the presidents authority during the last two administrations Is in striking con- trast to the jealous watchfulness of the people of all previous administra- tions.
 Ten years ago we had no thought of colonies or foreign connections. To-day we have possessions in va rious parts of the world, some are thoyisands of miles from our shores. We have colonies where we have been and are just as brutally crush ing out the liberty loving aspirations of the people as are our dear and 0v- ing kinsmen, the English, are doing to the Irish and the Boers
 The men who laid the foundations of our government advised us in par ticular against 'entangling alliances with foreign powers Yet to-day we are in alliance with the nation most hated and feared by the patriots, and We find our government, to please that nation, almost openly threatening a country that has always shown most friendly feeling toward us. Is it tho people who are doing this, or Is 1t a government too strong for them to contro12 ..- 4
 Is 1t thea American people that favor this country mixing into the mess made by England and her half baked Asiatic tool, Japan, and siding with that arch-hypocrite of nations, Eng land. against Russia, that was our steadfast friend in our hour of need, and placed us in such position that in the coming war it will be simply a question of but few weeks be- fore this country will be entangled i'll the quarrel?
 Again I ask, is it the people7 If 1t is not the people, what are they, the people. going to do about it?
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