The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1904-10-05

platforms In the past show. The
Panama route having been selected
the building of the canal should be
pressed to completion with all reason.
able expedition.
The methods by which the executive
acquired the Panama canal route and
rights are source Of regret to many.
To them, the statement that thereby
a great public work was assured to the
profit Of our people is not a sufficient
answer to the charge of violation Of
national good faith. They appreciate
that the principles and healthy con-
victions which in their working out
have made us free and great, stand
frr,ly esei.. 9. .he c-:.. :: = -:..,
gestion that we shall be blind to the
nature of the means employed to pro-
mote our welfare They hold that
adherence to principle, whether it
works for our good or ILL viii have
a more beneficent influence on our
future destiny than all our material
upbuilding. and that we should ever
remember that the idea of doing a
wrong to smaller. weaker nation
that We, OF even ali mankind, may
have resultant good is repugnant to
the principles upon which our govern
ment was founded.
Under the laws of the United States
the duty is imposed on the executive
to proceed with due diligence in
the work of constructing the canal.
That duty should be promptly per-
formed.
American Shipping
Our commerce in American bottoms
amounts TO but eight per cent OF our
total exports and imports. For 20
yeras prior to 1860, when the repub-
lican party came into power, our mer-
chant marine carried an average Of rs
per cent. of our foreign commerce. BY
1877 1t had dwindled to q per cent.
Now we carry but a contemptibly
small fraction of our exports and i'm,
ports.
American shipping In the foreign
trade was greater by over 100000 tons
in 1S10-nearly 100 years ago-than it
was last year. In the face of the con-
tinuous decline in the record of Amer
lean shipping during the last AZ wears.
the promise of the republican party
to restore it is without encourage
ment The record of the democratic
party gives assurance that the task
can be more wisely intrusted to 1t.
Recent disclosures, coupled with the
rapid augmentation of government ex-
penditures, show a need Of an investi-
cation of every department Of the gov
eminent. The democrats in congress
it. The republican majority
refused the demand. The people can
by their vote in November
they wish an honest and thor
ough investigation. A democratic con-
gress and executive will assure it.
Army and Navy.
We are justly proud of the officers and
men Of our army and navy. Both, how
ever, have suffered from the persistent
Injection of personal and political in
huence. Promotions and appointments
have been frequently based on favorit-
SIN instead of merit. Trials and court
martials have been set aside under cir
indicating political inter
terence. These and other abuses should
be corrected.
Pensions for Our Soldiers and Sailors.
The national democracy favors liberal
pensions to the surviving soldiers and
sailors and their dependents, on the
ground that they deserve liberal treat
nent. II pledges by its platform ade-
luate legislation to that end But 1t !
lenies the right of the executive to
lsurp the power Of congress to legis-
ate on that subject. Such usurpation |
vas attempted by pension order No
IS. and effect has been given to it by a
congress that dared not resent the !
It is said that this order |
was made IN the performance Of duty |
imposed upon the president by act Of |
congress-" but the provision making |
he imposition is not pointed out The |
lct to which the order refers, which is
he one relating to pensions to civil
var veterans, does not authorize pen
ions on the ground of age. 1t does grant |
PENSIONS to those suffering from any
mental or physical disability, or disa-
,ilities. OF permanent character, not |
he result of their own vicious habits,
which so incapacitates them from the
performance of manual labor as to rem
Ter them unable to earn a support"
This specified requirement of incapacity
s in effect set aside by order No. IS
Is to all persons over 81.
The war closed nearly 40 years ago.
n the meantime many of our soldiers
md sailors long survived the age of
2, and passed away without receiving
my pension. Skillful pension attorneys
lunting through the statute failed to
ind there provision giving a pen
lion to all who had reached g. Many
prominent veterans urged the justice OF
action giving service
pension to all veterans. Bills to that
fleet were introduced in congress. And
lot until March Of this year did any
me ever claim to have made the dis
,overy that the president had power to
reat the statute as If it read that when
/ claimant had passed the age of 62 years
he is necessarily disabled one-half in
,hflifv m nerfOrm mammal labor apd