Free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1888-1908, 1904-07-16

StrOuS perVerSiOn OF those equal OppOr-
tunities which our institutions were
established to secure. has caused what
may once have been infant industries
to become the greatest combination
of capital that the world has ever
known. These publicly favored en-
terprises have, through trust methods,
been converted into monopolies. thus
bringing to an end domestic Demo
cratic competition, which the only
check upon the extravaganza made
possible by the protective system.
These industrial combinations by the
financial assistance they can give,
now control the policy of the repub-
lican party.
We favor a wise, conservative and
business like revision and a gradual re
duction of the tariff by the friends of
the masses and for the commonwealth,
and not by the friends of its abuses,
its extOrtions and its determinations,
keeping in view the ultimate end of
Equality of burdens and equality OF
opportunities, and constitutional pur
pose of raising a revenue by taxa
ton, tO-wit: The support of the fed
eral government in all its integrity
and virility and keeping also in view,
as men of common sense should, ex-
listing conditions, however wrongfulIy,
mistakenly or unjustly brought about,
and the danger to the cause of tariff
reform itself of abrupt and revolu-
tionary reversal of policy.
We should bear in mind, in short,
these two things: First, the general
principle that the sole derivation of
the power of taxation is the support
Of the federal government, economi-
cally, effectively and constitutionally
administered, and second, the equal
truth that in the assertion of any gen
eral principles and reaching any uIti-
mate end, however sacred and logic
ally unavoidable, due regard, but only
due regard, must and should be paid
to actually existing conditions.
5. We favor the reduction of tariff
taxation upon trust produced articles
to the point where foreign COMPETE
ton may enter the American market
| whenever trusts and combines, seek
ing monopoly, raise their prices to the
American consumer above a reason
able and just profit. by such reduc-
ton depriving trusts and monopolies
to eXtort from the American people
under the shelter of the American law
prices other than those charged for
identical articles.
We demand the vigorous and i'm
partial enforcement of the laws al
ready made, to prevent and control
trusts and combinations, and we favor
such further legislation in restraint
thereof as experience shows to be nee
essary.
Corporations chartered by author
ity of the people must forever re-
main subject to regulation in the in
terest of the people.
We demand an enlargement of the
powers of the Interstate Commerce
Commission, to the end that the trav-
cling public and shippers of this coun-
try may have prompt and adequate
relief for the abuses they are subject
ed to in the matter or transportation.
We favor the maintenance OF the
Monroe Doctrine in it's full integrity.
We favor a liberal trade treaty with
Canada.
We favor the reduction Of the army
and of the army expenditures to q
point historically demonstrated to be
safe and sufficient. We favor the
maintenance and liberal maintenance
of the naval as our best defense in
our isolated condition against for
eign foe and source of no possible
danger to our liberties as a people.
We favor the enactment and admin
istration of laws giving labor and cap
ital impartially their just rights. Cap
ital and labor ought not to be enc
Each has its rights, but the rights of
labor are certainly no less vested -
no less sacred, and no less 'inalien-
able" than the rights of capital.
Declares For Gold.
The subcommittee of the commit
tee on resolutions spent the entire
day, until 5 o'clock, in perfecting the
details of the Democratic platform.
| concluding at that hour with the
| adoption of a gold standard plank
The plank was voted on during the
absence of Mr.. Bryan and Congress
man Williams, and the ballot stood
seven to three, the affirmative votes
being cast by Messrs. Daniel, Hill,
Pattison, Hamlin, Cable, Poe and
Davis, and the negative votes by
Messrs. Dubois, Shively and New
| lands.
The understanding was that, if
Messrs. Bryan and Williams had been
present, they would have cast their
votes in the negative, thus bringing
| the opposition vote to five.
The discoveries of gold within the
past few years, and the great in
crease in the production thereof, add
ing $1,000 10000 to the worlds sup
| ply, of which S70,0O0,00O falls to
| the share of the United States, has
contributed to the maintenance of a
money standard Of value, no longer
| open to question, removing that issue
| from the field of political contention.
Our party having long earnestly adj
vocated the construction of inter
| oceanic canal for the purpose of ma
! tional defense and commerce between
the states and with foreign nations,
we favor the early completion of the
isthmian canal.
But while making this declaration
and accepting the results as an &C.
| complished and reversible fact, we
cannot too forcibiy express our dis
| Of iot,