New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-07-18
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
JUDGE P4RKER'S POLICY.
Conclusions Drazcn from His Past
attitude and Utterances.

printed in The New-Yorlz Tines Of July L. and
pledging the support OF Gold Democrats 70 Judge
Parker. states that ny Judge Parkers action the
gold standard is placed beyond jeopardy. whatever
the outcome OF the election Judge Parker how
ever in his telegram said simply Il regard the gold
standard firmly and irrevocabIy established. and
shall act accordingly if the action OF the conven-
ton to-day shall be ratified by the people 1t -
openly said OF the learned justice that voted for
Bryan in 1876 ana 1860, and he must have done in
order 10 retain his regularity The hght for his
nomination has been led by ex-senator David 3
Hill. both az the New York convention and at the
St Louis convention. without protest from the jus
tice. though Mr. Hill was prominent as a
frarIer of the platforms Of 1895 and 1906 as he was
this year OF the Platform which Judge Parker
approved AS the learned judge must have changed
his convictions in regard monetary policy since
1860. is there sufficient guarantee in the cautious
language of the famous telegram that. IN case the
victorious Democratic party should seek 70 put
into form Of law the monetary theories which
Mr.. Bryan mentioned at the St. Louis convention.
President Parker would use all the power OF his
great Office and Of his forcefuI personality TO check
any attempted impairment OF those stable monetary
conditions which have been established after so
many years of political and financial turmoil? We
know nothing of Judge Parker's views on the sub
ject or national banks asset currency or
government bonds" Possibly his letter Of accept
ance and his other future utterances will make it
clear that he does not agree with Mr.. Bryan's new
monetary ideas. Let hope so. In the mean time
however Mr. Dousherty's statement above quoted
Is a little premature.
The answer Of the St. Louis convention To Judge
Parkers telegram states that the monetary
standard is regarded by the convention as
a possible issue in this campaign Assuming this
to be true, and assuming that monetary questions
will be discussed during the campaign by either
side. what real live positive issue do the Democrats
place before the country in their platform? The
arrangements of the present administration for ex
ecutve Usurpauou." for imperialism for its at
: titude toward the South and for sensationaIsrn.
raise purely negative issues and contain promises
merely 10 undo acts of those in Office. without
stating the policies that Will be substituted in place
Of those condemned. The defence Of the adminstrs
those issues be safely left TO Mr. Roose-
velt's able advisers.
The only Affirmative policy stated or promise made
by the Democratic platform is 20 the tariff Pro
lection is denounced robbery and a gradual
reduction of the rates of duty is favored The Re
publican platform while enuuciating continued
belief in the doctrine OF protection (Which, OF
course. was necessary for the sake OF being con-
sistentl. makes q promise "readjust' rates or
duty when "the public interest demands their al
teration. and insists lhat this great question be
iutrusted to a Republican Congress and Republ-
can President Protection. however much We may
deuounce II as robbery. is existing fact The
only issue which possibly arise IN regard 20 II
as whether II shall continue unchanged or
shall 30 reduced. Examining the declarations Of
both parties To reduction revision. find that
the Republican platform contains a distinct under
taxing 10 readjust rates in the direction demanded
~ the public Interest. whereas the Democratic
platform simply recites principles which were
brought home to the people in Mr.. tlevelands ia
nous tariff message OF 1857 and does not state in
what manner or ~ what means or in what direc-
present tariff evil VIII be overcome IN case
Judge Parker Is elected
In 1892 q Democratic President elected. who
% AZ other In the country had the confidence
OF the people far the tariff question was coz
cerned and who hve years before that election had
struck the keynote Of the tart1 situation. That
President was pledged both by his previous per
soua- utteraucss and By the platform upon which
lie was elected. % reform the tariff. The moment
he undertook this monentous labor. he found him
self alone. opposed BY gigantic vested interests and
without any political party or organization 10 sup
port him In fact during his entire second admin
lstratoa Mr.. Cleveland was successfully fought
hy the senior Senator from the State Of New-Iork.
the same gentleman 10 waom Judge Parker has
owed every position thai lie ever held. and the
same gentleman who was So active in the convSn-
can any sensible man FOR one moment imagine
that Judge Parker. with the oenedceEt assistance
OF Mr. an; ana wtEca, some deal VIII Tee 1II
reach any better solution OF me tariff problem than
pose tha( JHlse ft.As' . A,[=i 't - =, 49, =. 80
tariff VIII unsettle business coHdl,IgAs tiEeaay "a
as Mr. C!eve-ands similar attempt oVeS tei years
What. on the other hand. say. o., Mr
Roosevelt and oc his promise L carry OUT the prtc
Mr. Roosevelt to-day is the absolute master OF his
party. OF this the choice OF Mr. CorJelyou as
proof. With the prestige OF election 10 the Fresl-
deucy 20 strengthen ms control the ttepuaLcaA
pulousIy honest and upright. possessed OF great
personal magnetism, universal! tavOrite. and pos
among men evilly inclined. No such happy COM
binatlou OF circumstances has been seen N this
country since the days OF Lincoln
The promise of reform IN the Republican plat
form IS concession by the high pvotectonists THAI
sion in any. declaration OF that party in recent
years that protection should not last forever Nj
is not the kind Of a 10 decline 10 carry out
such a promise OF reform, so soleHnly made by
the entire party IN convention assembled WY uot
take the Republican party at it, word. rather than
attempt again the experiment which Jailed ten
that upon the return OF the Republicans power
1896 rates OF duty were pushed higher than ever,
and the repetition or the experiment. with no bet
ter chance OF success than before. Will give the
protectonists another argument in support Of their
former dogma that reuucuuh OF me tafiI means
disaster on the other hand. TO intrust to Mr.
Roosevelt the CARRYING out or the solemn Repub-
Ncau pledge OF tarin REFORM IS conndns the solu-
ton OF the problem 10 a man who has never Yet
failed TO perform any OF the numerous and ilpor-
Furthermore. Republican revision by a united
party. represented not only IN the White House,
but also By a majority IN congress. Is such re
vision VIII command the public confidence and
revision carefully discussed IN advance by the party
leaders and will be made effective lines which
will not arouse uncertainty.
on the contrary. the first move by Judge Parker
against the tariff Will cause a repetition of the
financial depression or ten years ago. on account
The public mind as 10 whether In view of the mot
party. ne can successfully carry out the programme
he may inaugurate .....,- -. 49,,
Gratis" may take, it behOoves all who believe In
tariff reform 70 vote t1r Mr.. R2oseyelt.
New-York july Il. 1904.
SUGGESTS PARADE OF "WIDEAWAKEs
r-=+-.- The Tribune