The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1904-09-29
HIS FORMAL LETTER TO THE
DEMOCRATIC NoTlFIcA-
4 TON COMMITTEE.
VIEWS ON PUBLIC POLICIES
NAMES FOUR ISSUES AS OF PAR.
AMOUNT INTEREST TO THE
/ ENTIRE COUNTRY.
Tariff Reform, Imperialism, Econom-
zeal Administration and Honesty
in Public Service - Criticises
Republican Administrations.

hepuohcan Aomlnistrations'
To the Honorable Champ Clark ant
Others, Committee. Eto.-Gentlemen:
IL my response to your committee, al
the formal notification proceedings, !
referred to some matters not mentioned
IN this letter | desire that these be
considered as incorporated herein, anc
regret that lack OF space prevents spe'
eific reference to them all. wish here
however, again TO refer to my views
there expressed as to the gold standard
10 declare again my unqualified belief
in said standard, and to express my ap'
probation of the action OF the conven.
ton in reply to my communication upon
that subject.
Grave public questions are pressing
for decision. The democratic party APP
peals TO the people with confidence that
It's position ON these questions will be
accepted and Endorsed at the polls,
While the issues involved are numer.
Gus, some stand forth prominent in
the public mind. Among these are:
Tariff reform. imperialism, economical
administration and honesty in the pub
lie service. shall briefly consider these
and some Others within the necessarily
prescribed limits of this letter.
Imperialism.
While I presented my views at the
notification proceedings concerning this
vital issue, the overshadowing impor-
lance of this question impels me to re-
fer to II again. The issue is oftentimes
referred to as constitutionalism VS.. i'm
perialism.
II we would retain our liberties and
constitutional rights unimpaired, We
cannot permit or tolerate ut any time
or for any purpose. the arrogation OF
unconstitutional powers by the execu-
tive branch of our government. We
should be ever mindful of the words of
Webster: Liberty is only to be pre-
served by maintaining constitutional
restraints and Just division Of political
powers"
Already the national government has
become centralized beyond any point
contemplated or imagined by the
founders Of the constitution. How tre-
mendously all this has added to the
power of the president! II has devel-
oped from year to year until it almost
equals that of many monarchs. While
the growth of our country and the mag
nitude of interstate interests may seem
to furnish a plausible reason for this
GENERALIZATION Of power, yet these same
facts afford the most potent reason why
the executive should not be permitted
toencroach upon the other department.
Of the government, and assume legisla
tive. or other powers, not expressly con.
ferred by the constitution.
The issue of imperialism which ha,
been thrust upon the country involves
decision whether the law of the lane
or the rule of individual caprice shall
govern. The principle of imperialism
may give rise to brilliant, startling
dashing results. but the principle Of de
mocracy holds in check the brillian
executive and subjects him to the sober
conservative control of the people.
The people Of the United States stan,
at the parting Of the ways. Shall W
follow the footsteps Of our fathers alonl
the paths of peace, prosperity and con
tentment, guided by the ever-livin
spirit OF the constitution which the,
framed for US, or shall we go along othe
and untried paths. hitherto Stunned b
all. following blindly new ideals. which
though appealing with brilliancy to tn
Imagination and ambition, may prove
will o. the wisp. leading us into diff
hculties from which It may be impos
sible to extricate ourselves without last
ing injury to our national character an
institutions?
The Tariff and Trusts.
Tariff reform is one OF the cardins
principles Of the democratic faith, an
the necessity for 1t was never create
than at the present time. 1t should b
undertaken at once in the interest {
all our people
The Dingley tariff Is excessive
many Of its rates. and, as to them {
least. unjustly and oppressively bul
dens the people. It secures to domest
manufacturers, singly or In combini
ZION. the privilege Of exacting excessi,
prices at home and prices far above II
level Of sales made regularly by thel
abroad with profit, thus giving Q bount
to foreigners at the expense of our ON
people. It levies oppressive and unju'
taxes upon many articles forming.
whole or part, the so-called raw hi
terial Of many Of our manufacture
products. not only burdening the COZ
sumner, but also closing to the manufa
turer the markets he needs and seel
abroad. It's unjust taxation burdens Il
people generally, forcing them to pl
excessive prices for food, fuel, ciothiI
and other uecessaries Of life. It levi
duties on many articles not normal
imported In any considerable amour
which are made sxtensively It hon
Cor, which the most extreme prote
3 ZIONIST would hardly Justify protecfl
ta1es, and which q large aulounte I
e1p0ftod. Such du(ias HAVE b1oo n