The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-07-28


war have been removed with a view to
reileVe the people and to prevent the
accumulation of an unnecessary surplus
The result is that hardly ever before have
the expenditures and income Of the gov
eminent SO closely correspondent. In the
hscal year that has just closed the eA-
cess of income over the ordinary expendi-
lures was $9,000,000 This does not take
account of the fifty millions expended out
OF the accumulated surplus for the pur-
chase Of the Isthmian canal. It is an ex-
traordinary proof OF the sound financial
condition of the nation that instead of
following the usual course in such mat
ters and throwing the burden upon pos
terity by an issue OF bonds, we were able
to make the payment outright and yet
AFTER 1t to have in the treasury a sur
plus of S161, 100000. Moreover we were
able to pay this $50, 100000 out of hand
Without causing the slightest disturbance
to business conditions.
Gets at the Tariff
We have enacted a tariff law under
which during the past few years the
country has attained height Of material
we'll being never before reached. Wages
are higher than ever before. That when
ever the need arises there should be re-
adjustment of the tariff schedules is I'M
doubted; but such changes can with safety
be made only by those whose devotion to
the principles of protective tariff is be-
yond question; for otherwise the changes
would amount not to readjustment but to
repeal. The readjustment when made
must maintain and not destroy the pro-
tective principle. To the farmer the
merchant. the manufacturer this is vital;
but perhaps no other man is SO much in
terested as the wage-worker in the main
tenance of our present economic system,
both as regards the finances and the
tariff. The standard of living of our
wage-workers is higher than that of any
other country, and 1t can not so remain
unless We have a protective tariff which
shall always keep as minimum rate of
duty sufficient to cover the difference be-
tween the labor cost here and abroad.
Those who, like our opponents. "denounce
protection as robbery thereby ex-
plicitly commit themselves to the PROPOSE
ton that IL they were to revise the tariff
no heed would be paid to the necessity of
meeting this difference between the stand
ards of living for wage-workers here and
in other countries; and therefore on this
point their antagoniSm to our position is
fundamental. Here again We. ask that
their promises and oursE be judged by
what has been done in the immediate past.
We ask that sober and sensible men COM
pare the workings of the present tariff
under it, with the workings of the pre-
ceding tariff law of 1894 and the conditions
which that tariff of 1894 helped to bring
about.
Speaks of Reciprocity
We believe in reciprocity with foreign
nations on the terms outlined in President
McKinley's last speech. which urged the
extension of our foreign markets by re-
ciprocal agreements whenever they could
be made without injury to American in
dustry and labor. 1t is a singular fact
that the only great reciprocity treaty re-
Gently adopted-that with Cuba-was final
ly opposed almost alone by the represen-
states that it favors reciprocity. And
here again we ask that the worth of our
words be judged by comparing their
deeds with ours. On this Cuban reel
procity treaty there were at the outset
grave differences of opinion among our
selves; and the notable thing in the nego--
tiation and ratification of the treaty, and
in the legislation which carried 1t into
effect. was the highly practical manner
in which without sacrifice of principle
these differences of opinion were recon
ciled.
There was no rupture of a great party,
but an excellent practical outcome, the
result of the harmonious cooperation of
two successive presidents and two sue
cessive congresses. This is an Illustration
of the governing capacity which entities
us to the confidence of the people not only
in our purposes but in our practical abil-
by the history of the last twelve years
down to this very month. is there justifi-
cation for believing that under similar
differenees of oninon a our onpone 1
would have achieved any practical result?
We have already shown In actual fact
that our policy is to do. fair and equal
justice to all men. paying no heed to
whether man is rich or poor; paying no
heed to his race. his creed, his birthplace.
Capital and Labor
We recognize the organization of capt.
tai and the organization of labor as nat
ural outcomes of our Industrial system.
Each kind of organization is to be favored
so long as it acts in spirit of justice and
of regard for the rights of others. Each
is to be granted the full protection of the
law. and each in turn is to be held to
strict obedience to the law; for no man
is above it and no man below it. The
humblest individual is to have his rights
safeguarded as scrupulously as those of
the strongest organization. for each is to
receive justice, no more and no less. The
problems with which We have to deal in
our modern industrial and social life are
manifold; but the spirit in which it is
necessary to approach their solution is
simply the spirit Of honesty, of courage,
and of common sense.
In inaugurating the great work of irri-
cation in the West the administration has
been enabled by congress to take one of
the longest strides ever taken under our
government toward utilizing our. vast ma
tional domain for the settler, the actual
home-maker
Panama Canal