The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1904-08-12
DDS J. {: n rsSer,s t,t &c,

q fudge Packers UtteranGe. aa
A The formal netiacation TO Judge
5LParker;So OF his nornina ion has an add
lea spice of inIerest IN the fact that
Hi. gave him the opportunity for In
4 forming the nation Of his views on
public questions. This Information
Ihas been SO Tar rather conspicuous
! by its absence, except IN the case of
that telegram which stirred up the
closing hours of the Democratic con-
ivention.
After this speech the complaint OF
1.-THE lack OF knowledge of the Demo
cratic candidates opinions cannot rea-
-sonably be made. 1t goes over a fair
range OF public issues, touching on
constitutional limitations as opposed
to executive entertainments. the tar
if, the trusts, self-government for
the Philippines, the United States as
a world-power, the military spirit,
and the denomination and reelection
OF Presidents. On all these topics
the Judges utterances are marked by
the same moderation that was noted
in the similar speech of his rival. In
most respects there is little in the
SpSSSA tlldt tAlolSo 1t1u1 1iSi1 VI SAAS
party will contradict. AS he promises
that this speech will be supplemented
by further discussion in his letter of
acceptance the nation is in fair way
of learning all of the Judges views
But of reasons why the nation
should take away the management of
public affairs from Republican hands
and bestow it on the Democracy the
speech is somewhat barren. For in
stance, the example of executive
usurpation presented in the speech is
that OF Colorado. But no one can
claim that deportins strikers without
trial, or forbiddins employers TO run
with union men, is an issue between
the parties. Such things are oppos-
ed by all impartial men alike, and
they are only possible in Colorado be-
cause both sides in that, struggle
have gone far beyond any care for
law or constitutional rights.
On the tariff question the Judge |
points out that even in the case of
Democratic success his party could |
not change the tariff, during TIE ad-
But as it could pave |
the way for a change in the case OF
further success the protectionist ele-
ment will be likely to think that the
best assurance that the tariff shall
that initial success. On what change
in the tariff should be made the /
speech specifies only "a reasonable'I
but as the Judge also re-
marks that he will not take a sec
ond term, if elected, it is plain that
his personal moderation affords no
guarantee as to what his party will
do if further success should enable it
to revise the tariff after 1905.
With regard to trusts, beyond adj
the reasonable change of the
tariff on their products, Judge Parker
what has SO often been as
serted in these columns, that the need
S not so much new and different laws
as the vigorous enforcement of the
existing statute and common law.
This is gospel truth. But it's political
effect is a .recoil on the Democratic
For while it is true that
both Republican and Democratic adj
in the past have con-
;picuously omitted this enforcement
he crucial fact is that the one admin
stration which has done something
or the enforcement is that of the
President whose election Judge Par
Ter and his party are opposing.
borrower. as very important elements
n Judge Parker's support are back
ng him to punish the Roosevelt adj
for enforcing the exist
ng laws, the deduction is good rea- ]
on against votes for the Democracy.
On the Philippine question the
udge declares for gradual prepare
ion of the islands for self-govern-
nent and a declaration of that pur-
ose. But despite the utterances of :
ingoism in the past that is what the
administration is doing. 5
here have been some confusion of !
purposes and questionable acts OF pol t
,y in former years But it becomes
lore. evident each year that this work I
t preparation is going on. Between !
tarting and prosecuting the work, as, !.
ave been done under Taft's direc- :
on, and a public avowa1 of the pur- .
ose, there does not seem to be such t
ital difference as to necessitate put Y