The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1904-09-29
JUDGE PARKER'S LETTER OF AC.
CEPTANCE

has been given to she public, and We
venture the opinion that It will ID"
hard even for those newspapers which
oppose his election 10 tind anything
therein for adverse criticism. Is Is
the output of IA well-balanced. yIrlle
mind. and tits a sale, sane and sound
exposition of Democratic doctrine pS
applied 80 present conditions The
most notable feature of the letter Is
his discussion OF the tariff question,
aud in this instance particularly he
measures up fully to the advanced
position taken by the greatest lead
ers of bis party ON tariii reform He
occupies the middle ground between
those Democrats who denounce pro-
lection of every kind as policy o.
robbery and the extreme protection
ists of the Republican party, known
as the "stand-patterS. lie declares
against the abuses of protection,
whereby manufacturers are enabled
TO sell their products abroad az "a
cheaper rate shan they are solo at
home. and not against protection
Der sc. This is the only tenable
ground for the Democracy 80 hold
at this time, for protection. wisely
employed, is as mucch a fixed princi-
pie of our American institutions. un-
der modern conditions, a. is the gold
standard. These two are policies oil
the American people. and are the
tenets OF no party in particular.
They have been found by practical
operation to suit our conditions oil
life. and they will be reasonably up
held by either of the great national
parties. Judge Parker declares EN-
phatically against the recent excel
tive pension order OF Mr.. Roosevelt,
and properly designases it rs an act
of executive usurpatiOn OfauthOrlty'
pIedging himself, if elected, 80 revoke
it and 80 recommend proper legisla-
tiye action in reference TO service
pensions. He assails Mr.. Roosevelt :
recent charge that the common Law
does not apply to interstate trade,
and maintains that in the absence OF
Congressional statutory action, the
common law is applicable as we'll to
National as TO State affairs. In this
contention he is undoubtedly right,
and in view of fixed principles. and
she decisions of the United States
Supreme Court, it seems strange shat
the contrary view should ever have
been seriously held. In addition
Judge Parker discusses all the lead
log political questions OF the day.
1t has been stated in certain quar-
.ers, and by those who seem TO know,
that no more direct charges would
be made on Pors Arthur TO reduce it.
The plan had been adopted OF starry
ing the garrison out and gettlr &
possession OF It'll that way, IL those
tactics had been adopted they must
have been abandoned, because tie
last few days show the laps as active
as ever, and the last reports are to
she effect that she assaults are con-
tinued.
Gen. COrbin recommends that army
officers shall not be allowed so mar
~ unless they obtain permission
from the war department.. Now, the
bashiul young officer will conclude
that that is piling il on 500 severely.
In the first place he has to obtain the
consent OF she girl, and after that
the old man and old lady have TO be
consulted. Then 30 have TO wrestle
with the war department is entirely
too much for the timid young men.
Gen. Crippingberg, who has been
appointed TO equal command in the
East with Gen, kuropatkin, is With
out military education. He entered
the army when young and has been
gradually promoted for gallant con-
duct until he is second to the supreme
commander. Some OF the best tight
ers In our Civil war were men who
had no military training other than
what they received in the army.
------
The business men of Petersburg are
determined to have good river serv-
Ice between that city and Norfolk.
The Tourist was taken of the route
the other day, but the merchants got
together and raised money enough
to purchase larger and more IcOm-
modious boat for the line and it will
be put on as soon as it can be pur-