Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1904-08-11

tary authority deports from the state
without trial, persons suspected OF be
longing to the organization Of which tn
perpetrators of the dynamite outrage
were supposed to be members. In bot
cases the reign Of law gave way TO tn
reign of force. These illustrations pre-
sent some evidence of the failure OF gov
m to protect the citizen and hi
property. which not only justified tn
action Of your convention In this regard
but made II its duty to call attention Il
h fact that constitutional guarantees
are violaed whenever any citizen is de
MED the right to labor to acquire and Il
enjoy property or to reside where his in
terests or inclination may determine; AM
the fulfilment of the assurance to re-
buke and punish all denials Of these
rights, whether brought about by indi'
viduals or government agencies. should
be enforced by every official and support
ed by every citizen. The essence of good
government lies in strict observance OF
constitutional limitations, enforcement
of law and order and a rugged opposition
to all encroachment upon the sovereignty
of the people.
The foregoing suggestions but empha-
size the distinction which exists between
u W and many other forms Of gov
eminent. 1t has been well said, In sub
stance, that there are but two powers
In government, one the power Of the
sword, sustained by the hand that Yields
1t, and the other the power of the law,
sustained by an enlightened public senti-
men The difference in these powers
is the difference beween the republic
such as ours, based on law and a written
nnndfttIftnn opInnartnA hvF Nntn1IiOannn
virtue and patriotism-and a monarchy
sustained by force exerted by an indi-
vidual, uncontrolled by laws other than
those. made or sanctioned by him: one
represents constitutionalism, the other
Imperialism.
The present tariff law Is unjust in IT'S
operation, excessive in many of its rates
and so framed In particular instances as
to exact inordinate profits from the peo-
pie. So well understood has this view be-
come that many prominent members Of
the republican party and at least two of
its state conventions have dared to voice
the general sentiment on that subject.
That party seems, however, to be col
lectively able to harmonize only upon a
plank that admis that revision may from
time to time be necessary, but 1t Is so
phrased that 1t is expected to be salts
factory to those in favor of an increase
of duty to those who favor a reduction
thereof and to those opposed to any
change whatever.
Judged by the record of performance,
rather than that of promise. on the part
of that party In the past, 1t would seem
as If the outcome in the event Of Its
success would be to crafty the latter
With absolute control of both the
1nwI1Iot t1ra --l 1-aa,,ktxy4 I4w~a VkNa aat0 ~ l
the government since March 4, 1897, there
has been neither reduction nor IN at
tempt at reduction in tariff duties. 1t is
not unreasonable to assume, in the light
Of that record, that a future congress of
that party will not undertake a revision
Of the tariff downward in the event that
1t shall receive an, Endorsement of Its
past course on that subject by the peo-
Pile. 1t is a fact and should be frankly
conceded, that should our party be sue
cessful in the coming contest we cannot
hope to secure a majority in the senate
during the nex four years and hence
We shall be unable to secure any modi-
in the tariff save that to which
he republican majority In the senate may
While, therefore, we are unable
20 give assurances of relief to the people
rom such excessive duties as burden
hem, 1t is due to them that we should
Jtate our position to be in favor of a rea-
reduction of the tariff: that we
believe that 1t is demanded by the best
of both manufacturer and con-
iumer. and that a wise and beneficent re-
-ision of the tariff can be accomplished
IS soon as both branches of congress
md an executive In favor of 1t are elect
d, without creating that sense of uncer-
.E-A., -~1 l-,kaLIIlk,v AL-A L-z An AkE4.
manifested itself. This can be
by providing that such a rea-
enable period shall intervene, between
he date Of the enactment Of the statute
a revision and the date OF its
Increment, as shall be deemed suffi-
lent for the industry or business affect
d by such revision to adjust itself to the
hanges and new conditions imposed. So ,
am I In the belief that the de- /
land of the people for a reform of the =,
ariff is just that I indulge in the hope :
should a democratic house of rep r
and a democratic executive 1
3 chosen by the people. even a repub- a
can senate may heed the warning and I
onsent to give at least some measure of I
elief to the people.
The combinations, popularity called I
'usts, which aim to secure a monopoly 4
trade in the necessaries OF life as
ell as in those things that are en- a
Dyed upon the farm, in the factory and a
mani other fields of industry. have \
zen encouraged and stimulated by ex- II
,ssiye tariff duties. These operate to a
a substantial market in the ne u
Of 80, 0O0,00 o Of people by practi- h
lily excluding competition. With 50 n
rye a market and highly remunerative n
ices continuing long after the line Of h
'ssible competition would naturally be :,
ached by the temptation Of all en- =
Iged in the same business to combine ii
as to prevent competition at home and
resulting reduction Of prices, has proved Z,
resistible in a number OF cases. All a
en- must agree that the net result Of en- a,
ting avs that foster such inequitable 4
nditions is most unfortunate for the n
ople as q whole, and It would seem as p'
all ought to agree that the effective m
NEEDY would be to appropriately modify tn
offending law. The growth Of mo- m
poly, Of which complaint IL Justly
lde, cannot Justly be laid at the doors
the courts Of this country. The de-
Of the supreme court Of the United n,
H