The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1904-09-29


platforms in the past show. The
Panama route having been selected.
the building Of the canal should be
pressed to completion with all reason
able expedition.
The methods by which the executive
acquired the Panama canal route ana
rights are a source OF regret TO many.
To them, the statement that thereby
great public work was assured to the
profit of our people is not a SUFFICIENT
answer to the charge Of violation OF
| national good faith. They appreciate
that the principles and healthy con,
victions which In their working out
have made US free and great, stand
firmly against the argument or sug-
gestion that we shall be blind to the
nature Of the means employed to pro-
\ mote our welfare. They hold that
adherence to principle. whether II
works for our good or Ill, will have
a more benehcent influence on our
future destiny than all our material
upbuilding. and that we should ever
remember that the idea Of doing q
wrong to a smaller. weaker nation
that we, or even all mankind, may
have a resultant good Is repugnant to
the principles upon which our govern
ment was founded.
Under the laws Of the United States
the duty Is imposed on the executive
to proceed with due diligence In
the work OF constructing the canal.
That duty should be promptly per
formed.
i American Shipping.
Our commerce in American bottoms
amounts to but eight per cent. Of our
total exports and imports. For 7d
yeras prior to 1860, when the repub
lican party came into power, our mer
chant marine carried an average OF u
per cent. Of our foreign commerce. BY
1877 II had dwindled to 27 per cent
. Now we carry but contemptibly
small fraction of our exports and i'm
ports.
American shipping In the foreign
trade was greater by over 100000 tons
in 1S10-nearly 100 years ago-than Il
was last year. In the face OF the con
tinuous decline in the record OF Amer
lean shipping during the last 43 years
the promise of the republican part,
10 restore II is without encourage
ment The record of the democratic
party gives assurance that the tasl
can be more wisely intrusted to 1t.
Recent disclosures, coupled with tn
, rapid augmentation Of government ex
pendituress show a need Of an investi
CATION of every department OF the gov
!, eminent. The democrats in congress
demanded II. The republican majorit,
refused the demand. The people cal
determine by their vote In Novembe
whether they wish an honest and thor
, ough investigation. A democratic con
, gress and executive will assure 1t.
RI Army and Navy.
ri We are Justly proud of the officers an
men of our army and navy. Both, how
q ever. have suffered from the persisten
Z injection of personal and political in
r fiuence. Promotions and appointment
e have been frequently based on favorit
ism instead of merit. Trials and court
G n,artials have been set aside under Gil
r cumstances indicating political inter
q ference, These and other abuses shout
be corrected.
/, Pensions for Our Soldiers and Sailor.
= The national democracy favors libers
: pensions to the surviving soldiers an
r sailors and their dependents, on tn
ground that they deserve liberal trea'
ment. It pledges by Its platform adj
quate legislation to that end. But
denies the right of the executive
usurp the power Of congress to legi'
late on that subject Such usurpatio
, was attempted by pension order N
" rs. and effect has been given to It by
congress that dared not resent Il
usurpation. II is said that "this ord,
u was made in the performance Of dui
!. imposed upon the president by act
= congress" but the provision makiI
- the imposition Is not pointed out. tt
% act to which the order refers, which
the one relating to pensions to civ
war veterans, does not authorize PEE
he sions on the ground Of age. 1t does gral
ID pensions to those suffering from al
S, mental or physical disability, or dis
T. bilities, Of permanent character, n
he the result of their own vicious habit
ut which so incapacitates them from O
lg performance OF manual labor as to re
Is der them unable to earn q support
r. This specified requirement Of incapaci
Of is in effect set aside by order No.
ID as to all persons over 81.
er The war closed nearly 40 years az
p In the meantime many of our soldie
IN and sailors long survived the age
RS 81, and passed away without receivil
IN any pension. Skillful pension attorne
4 hunting through the statute failed
Is. find there q provision giving pc
~ sion to oil who had reached 81. Ma
IL prominent veterans urged the justice
~ congressional action giving q servl
be pension to all veterans. Bills 10 Il
lc- effect were introduced In congress A
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