The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-04-21
CAMPAIGN ISSUES.
President Roosevelt Outlines His
Views on the Subject.

Washington, April 21.-The presi-
dent has discussed during the last few
days with leading mem bers of his par
ty the issues which viii be put for
ward during the coming national cam
paign-
The president believes the record
of his administrator cannot be sue
cessfully criticised Four great events
of the administration as outlining his
personal attitude as well as the att1-
tude of his party, will be put forward
as ones about which the party can
rally and challenge their opponents to
a combat of criticism One of these is
the handling of the Panama canal
matter; second, the prosecution of the
Northern Securities case; third, the
open shop" order in the Miller case
in the government printing office, and
fourth, the settlement of the anthra-
cite strike. OF the first of these is
sues the administration has made
public all that pertains to it,
The president has given all the story
to the congress and to the world. The
party leaders are convinced that what
the people of the country wanted bad
was a canal and now that the admin
istration has given it to them they are
not disposed to take a critical view of
how it was brought about. But even
if they are, the administration well
comes any criticism or close scrutiny
which it is proposed to make either by
the Democratic party or the people at
large
In the Northern Securities case the
Republican administration has stolen
all of the Democratic antitrust thun-
der. With laws enacted by a Repub-
lican congress and on the statute
books through two Democratic admin
istrations vet never enforced, the ad-
ministration has conducted a success
full antitrust prosecution against the
strongest combination of capital the
country has ever SEEM This viii De
held un as an example of practical
- ~r.rT-r he p r1f d.
ministratiOn, which asks for the fur
Their indulgence of the people and OF
the party maintaining that administra-
ton.
The "open order in the Miller case
in the government printing office es-
tablishes in the mind of the admin
istration leaders the conservatism OF
the president in questions involving Ia
Dor and capital and shows his great
impartiality. 1t shows to labor as well
as capital that the laws OF the land
must be respected and that the Presl-
dent while in sympathy with organic
ed labor in its legitimate channels,
viii give no cOuntenance to its viola
ton of law or the disregard of the
rights and interests of employers or of
invested capital
In the settlement of the anthracite
strike the Republican campaign
speakers can find an illustration of
the moral courage of the President
He took steps toward the settlement
of that great strike with most OF his
advisers shaking their heads in dis
approval and fearful of the outcome.
He summoned the coal operators be
fore him all in an angry and resentful
mood. Against their Will he forced
arbitration, and in doing so establish
ed principles for the future guidance
of the relations between miners and
operators which Will endure for gem
erations.
These are the issues which viii
spring from the acts of the administra-
tion in which the personality of the
president is strongest. There will be
other issues which will come from the
plans and programme of the dominant
party in both branches of congress.
One of these will be a declaration
| against any tinkering with the tariff
Another will be a declaration for the
maintenance Of our prestige abroad
where the dominant party accepts fun
responsibility for extending our COM
mercial relations as an incident to our
sudden acceptance of a position as one
of the great world powers with broad
international duties and responsible
ties.
Another issue to be put forward Is
that of the maintenance of a sound fin
aicial system. There Will be a prom
ise if the leaders in congress can
bring it about at the national cOnven-
ton. for further financial legislation
Strengthening the treasury in meeting
any conditions of stringency which may
come in handling the government s
monetary affairs