The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1904-09-29
PARKER ACCEPTS
THE HIGH HONOR.
LETTER OF DEMOCRATIC CAN
DIDATE MADE PUBLIC.
SYNOPSIS OF THE DOCUMENT
Paramount Issues Are Declared to Be
the Tariff, Imperialism, Economy
of Administration and Hon
esty in Public Service.

New York, Sept. 26.-Judge Parker''
formal letter of acceptance to the demo
cratic notification committee is doc,
ument Of some 5000 words. and is ad.
dressed to Hon. Champ Clark and othel
members of the committee. In the open,
ing paragraph Judge Parker says ht
wishes his remarks made at the time
Of his notification to be considered Q
part of his formal response. Continu'
ing, he says:
Grave public questions are pressing
for decision. The democraticparty ap'
peals to the people with confidence that
its position on these questions will be
accepted and Endorsed at the polls
While the issues involved are numerous
some stand forth preeminent in the
public mind. Among these are: Tariff
reform, Imperialism, economical adj
ministration and honesty in the public
service.
On the subject of Imperialism the let
ter says: IF we would retain our lib
critics and constitutional rights unim.
paired, we cannot permit or tolerate, al
any time or for any purpose, the AFRO
CATION of unconstitutional power by the
executive branch of our government"
Turning to the subject of the tariff
and the democratic demand for reform
in that line, he says:
Tariff reform is one of the cardinal
principles of the democratic faith, and
the necessity for it was never greater
than at the present time. 1t should be
undertaken at once in the interest of all
our people.
''In the words of our platform, we de-
mand "a revision and a gradual reduc-
ton of the tariff by the friends of the
masses, and for the common veal, and
not by the friends of it's abuses, its ex-
tortions and determinations
As remedies for trusts Judge Parke,
fayors such legislation within consti-
tutional limitations as will best promote
and safeguard the interests Of all the
people.
THE national democracy favors lib
eral pensions to the surviving soldiers
and sailors and their dependents, on
the ground that they deserve liberal
treatment. 1t pledges by its platform
adequate legislation to that end. BuI
it Denies the right of the executive Il
ip'anr :s;EslE S1ssS ~ sfnqfs
late on that SUB, saeyq. I'm at mo-
was attempted by pensits SAeRSil sha
rs, and effect has been given NY 1e1
congress that dared not resent ~
usurpation. 1t is said that this ordeI
was made in the performance of duty
imposed upon the president by act o.
congress- but the provision making
the imposition is not pointed out.
1T is said by the administration, il
reply to the public criticism of THU
order, that it is easy to test our op
ponents' sincerity in this matter. Tit
order in question is revocable at thu
pleasure of the executive. II our op
ponents come into power they can re
woke this order and announce tina
they will treat the veterans of 62 ant
20 as presumably in full bodily Vigo
and not entitled to pension. Will the.
authoritatively state that they intent
to do this? If so We accept the is
sue
THE making of that order was, il
my judgment, an attempted, though
perhaps unwilling, encroachment upol
the legislative power, and, therefore
unwarranted by the constitution, tn,
challenge is accepted. II, elected, will
revoke that order. But l go furthe
and say that that being done, / will
contribute my effort toward the enact
ment of law to be passed by boil
houses of congress and approved b.
the executive that will give an ag
pension without reference to disabilit!
to the surviving heroes of the ciyi
war.
In concluding his letter Judge Par
ker says:
1.-THE issues are joined and the PEG
pie must render the verdict
"Shall economy of administration b,
demanded, or shall extravaganza b,
encouraged?
"Shall our government stand TO
equalsopportunity, or for special priv
lege? Is EsE$
"Shall the wrongdoer be brought I,
bay by the people, or must justice wal
upon political oligarchy?
"Shall 1t remain government o
law, or become one Of individual ca
price?
"Shall we cling TO the rule of tn
people, or shall We embrace benefcen
desI btism?
"Ii 7 be the wish Of the people tina
I I'M. take the duties Of the presi
dency pledge myself, with God
help. u devote all my powers and en-
ergy to the duties Of this exalted OF
fee. Very truly yours,
ALTON B. PARKER.
CAUGHT IN ALBA