Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1904-10-06
To the Honorable Champ Clark and
Others, Committee, etc.: ,

Gentlemen-In my response to your
committee, at the formal n~otlhcatlon
| proceedings, | referred 10 some matters
not mentioned in this letter. l desire
that these be considered as incorpo-
rated herein, and regret that lack OF
space prevents specific reference TO
them all. l wish here, however, again
to refer to my views there expressed
as to the gold standard, to declare
again my unqualified belief in said
standard, and to express my apprec1a-
ton of the action of the convention in
reply to my communication upon that
subject.
Grave public questions are pressing
| for decision. The Democratic party
appeals to the people with confidence
thatss4ts position on these questions
will be accepted and endorsed at the
polls. While the issues involved are
numerous, some stand forth pre-emi-
len in the public mind. Among these
are tariff reform, Imperialism, eco4om-
ical administration and honesty in the
public service. | shall briefly consider
these and some others within the nee
e~ssarily prescribed limits of this letter.
EXECUTIVE ENCOURAGEMENT.
While l presented my views at the
notification proceedings concerning this
vital issue, the overshadowing impor-
lance of this question impels me to
refer to it again. The issue is often
times referred to as "Constitutionalism
VS.. Imperialism"
If we would retain our liberties and
constitutional right unimpaired, we can
not permit or tolerate, at any time or
for any purpose, the %arrogation of I'M
constitutional powers by the executive
branch of our Government. We should
be eyer mindful Of the words of Web
ster, Liberty is only to be preserved
by maintaining constitutional re-
straints and just divisions of political
powers"
Already the National Government
has become centralized beyond any
point contemplated or imagined by the
trainers of the Constitution. How ire
mendously all this has added to the
powers of the President! 1t has de-
velepod from year to year until it al
most equals that of many monarchs.
While the growth of u country and
the magnitude Of interstate interests
may seem to furnish a plausible reason
for this Capitalization of power, vet
these same facts afford the most po-
tent reason why the Executive should
not be permitted to encroach upon the
other departments of the Government,
and assume legislative, or other pow
ers, not expressly conferred by the
Constitution.
The magnitude of the country and
it's diversity of interests and popula-
ton would enable a determined, ambi-
tious and able Executive, unmindful of
constitutional limitations and fired
with the lust of power, to 20 far in
the usurpation of authority and the
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of personal power be-
fore the sjtution could be fully appre-
eiated or the people be aroused.
Ihe issue OF imperialism which mas
peeh thrust upon tle country involves
decision Whether the law OIL the lanu
OF the rule OIL llalVlaual caprice sIail
govern. Inc principle OIL imperialism
may give rise 10 Drllllailt' starving
dashllS results, put the principle OF
~ueihoctacS A9lls III chech tle prllilah'
anu SUBJECTS hln 10 tHe
SOBER, conservative cohtrol OF the PEG
PIE;
Inc people OIL me Onlted states
stand at tLle parting Oh the ways
shall we follow the footsteps OF oul
latners along the pains Oh peace, pros
peflty ana cohtehtlnent, GUIDED by the
everything spirit or the CONSTITUTION
Whlch they framed Tor us, or snail we
go alonS other ana uhtrleu pains, MIN
erto by ali, following Dllndly
new Idea!s' winch, though Appearing
Win orllllalcy to the IMAGINATION ano
ampltloh, ma prove a Will O the Wisp
ieadlnS us INTO ullhcultles from Whlcl
IL may pe Impossible 10 eNtrlcate u
serves Wlthout lasting injury 10 oul
National character and Institutions!
TARIFF REFORM AT ONCE.
Tariff reform is one of the carolina,
principles OF the Democratic faith, and
the necessity for it was never greater
than at the present time. 1t should be
undertaken at once in the interest OF
all our people.
The Dinsley tariff is excessive il
many of its rates, and, as to them a
least. unjustly and oppressively bur
{ dens the people. 1t secures to domestic
: manufacturers, singly or in combina
ton, the privilege of exacting excessiv,
t prices at home and prices far above tn,
: level of sales made regularly by then
abroad with profit, thus giving
bounty to foreigners at the expense O
4 our own people. Its unjust taxation
q.
, them to pay excessive prices for food
6 e,,aI lu Z IL