Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-07-07

/ people of the United States increased
from $2314 in March, 1897, to $31.02
in May last, and that the credit for
that and the consequent prosperity
J following it was due TO the republi-
can party. Was republican Iegisla-
ton operative in South Africa and the
KIondike and did il cause the discov-
cries of gold there? Did il cause the
new inventions for the more profit
able extraction of gold from gold ore?
/ Did republican legislation add two Dill
lions of gold to the worlds stock of
money metals in the last eight years?
/ Was it republican legislation which
made the immense crops of cotton.
! Wheat. corn, etc, which enabled
these United States to draw more
than their pro rata share of the
worlds stock of money metals. there
by increasing their own stock of gold
by $7O0OOO.0
Endless Chain Argument.
The temporary chairman next
boosted that the republican party had,
| by manipulation. which he described.
of the currency and certificate de
nomination made it so difficult to get
ROlu out Oh the treasury. III tAtIstllSt
for other forms Of money, that prac-
tically it cannot be done at all to any
large extent, and hence that all dan
| ger of an endless chain" thereby
| produced has ended.
The eX-secretary then boasts that
the secretary of the treasury can and
does contract and expand the coun-
try's currency at his viii. and illus
trates this by the occurrences which
happened in 1902, which he quotes.
Remember. he boasts that this is q
fact. If SO. what a magnificent one
man power il is.
As to the republican platform. it is
chiefly a boast that the republican
party is responsible for everything
good which has happened.
Not only is the boast that Mr.. Nc
Kinley's election was responsible for
high prices false, but it is q very dan
gcrous falschood! Some men preach
the doctrine with the hope that during
periods of prosperity the average man
will let even an CXtrayagant and dis
honest and unjust government, in
which he is Interested. continue unin-
tCrrUpted. This is the chief, if not
the sole. hope of the republican,
party.
The republican platform declares
that the republican party was respon-
sible for the relief OF Cuba and the
war with Spain. 1t was not the mis-
cries of CIoa," but public demand.
that led the republican party to fall
in line. Democrats voted for the war
~,
Leans. Not the republican party, but
the people of America, fought the
quick. victorious war with Spain"
What have the republicans TO say
for themselves in connection with the
great trust question?
This is the language of the plat
form:
Laws enacted by the republican
party. and which the democratic par
~ had failed to- enforce have
been fearlessly enforced"
Here are three statements. first.
that the republicans, instead of both
parties, enacted the laws, which is
not true; secondly. that the democratic
party had done nothing, which is also
not true; and. third, that the repub-
liCan party has enforced the law,
which is only partially true.
What Harmon Did.
Attorney General Harmon. under
ClcveIand's administration. found the
suit of the government against the
Trans Missouri Freight association
lost. revived it and won it. He then
instituted suit against the Joint Traf-
fc association and also against the
Addystone Pipe company. The prin-
.ciple established in the case of the
government against the TRANSMITS
souri, Freight association-the princi-
pie there contended for by ClCve-
lands attorney generals the prin-
ciplc which gave life to the proceed
inSs in the Northern Securities case.
and which led Gov. Van SAINT, and not
the republican party. as has been
falsely pretended, to inaugurate that
case.
One of the chairmen of the republi-
can convention says il has "enjoined
the beef trust" The injunction does
not seem TO have had any practical eff
feet upon the beef trust or upon the
price of beefsteak.
The boast that the administration
has executed the antitrust laws Is
ridiculous. The attorney general, in
response to i resolution of my own.
frankly confessed that nothing had
been done. and left the inference that
nothing would be done. toward the
criminal prosecution of the men found
guilty by the supreme court in the
Northern Securities case of having
violated the law and incurred its pen
altieS.
The attorney general in answer to
another resolution. failed 10 show that
anything substantial was being done.
civilly or criminally. against the an
thracite coal mine owners. constitut-
ms. in violation of law. one OF the
greatest trusts in this country. a.
though a private American citizen had
proceeded al great expense to get up
the evidence.
II.