The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-02
SENATOR LONGS SPEECH.
Points Proudly at the Record of
Governor Bailey.

I
Marion. Sept. At was late before
Mr.. Hoch had finished his speech al
the opening of the Republican cam
paign. He was followed by Senator
Long who was listened to with the
most rapt attention. He said: In the
campaign of 1900 imperialism" was de-
clared to be the paramount issue. I'm
perialisn'' was the word used to desig-
nate the policy of the Mckinley admin
iStration in favor of the retention of the
Philippine islands. We acquired those
islands from Spain by the treaty of
Paris, which was only ratified by the
votes of Democratic senators. After
the islands were acquired by this treaty
the opposition declared in favor of
abandoning them We favored retain
ing the islands, giving the Filipinos as
large a participation in their govern
ment as they were capable of exercfs-
ing This policy has been pursued
since that time, and in the civil gov
eminent that we have Established i'll
the islands, the Fflfpinos have been en-
couraged to participate until they fill a
majority of the offices. In the cam
paign of 1900 we contended that there
was a responsibility placed on us by
the war with Spain that we could not
shirk, and that II was our duty to as
sumo the responsibility like men, and
not attempt to evade it.
To show the effect of recent events
upon the opposition, it is only neceS-
sary to call attention to the following
statement of Judge Parker in his speech
of acceptance, as to his views on our
treatment of the Filipinos. He says:
THE accident of war brought the
Philippines into our possession and we
are not at liberty to disregard the re-
SpOnSibility which thus came to us, but
that responsibility will best be SUBJ
served by preparing the islands as rap.
idly as possible for self government,
and giving to them the assurance that
it will come as soon as they are reason
ably prepared for it
This position as outlined by Judge
Parker differs materially from that as
sumed by the party in 1900 when it de-
manded the immediate withdrawal of
the United States from those islands,
and hauling down the flag which had
been placed there by the glorious deeds
of our army and navy.
There is no paramount question III
this campaign. The opposition does not
to challenge the attention of
the people to the unwisdom of any Re
publican position on any important
question. Its sole purpose is to attack
our nominee for president and frighten
the American people into the belief that
President Roosevelt is erratic, unsafe,
and a dangerous man in the executive
office We insist that President Roose-
of this campaign. We insist that the
record of the Republican party as it
has been written in legislation during
the past four years is the proper sub
ject for consideration.
One of the first duties imposed upon
President Roosevelt after his succession
to office was to see that the pledge was
carried out which President Mckinley
had given to the people of Cuba that
they should have reciprocal trade rela-
tions with the United States. The mat
ter was first considered in the commit
tee on WAYS and means of the house
Of representatives, and after weeks of
a bill was finally report
ed to the house. 1t met with great op-
position there, and 1t was only otter
repeated conferences and many appeals
to members by the president that the
bill passed the house of representatives.
1t went to the senate, but was opposed
so vigorously that its consideration was
finally postponed.
Not discouraged, entirely undaunted.
the president appealed from congress to
the people and submitted to them the
Justice and wisdom of according reel
orocity to Cuba The appeal was not
n vain. A treaty was made with Cuba,
the same provisions that
we're contained in the bill which did not
pass the senate. This treaty was final
y ratified by a two-thirds vote, and it
was a privilege which I highly priced
% have the opportunity of voting for
he treaty in the senate after the bill
JAILED by the refusal Of senators to
support it.
with Panama which was submitted to
the senate and finally ratified 1t was
ratified by the republic of Panama and
thus became a binding contract be-
tween the two countries. Under the |
provisions of this treaty and the law |
passed by congress, the rights of the |
Panama Canal company have been ac- |
luired by the United States on the |
payment of 40 million dollars. Ten mill |
ion dollars have been paid to the re-
public of Panama for a strip of land of |
sufficient width on which to construct |
he canal, and now, after many years |
inc t1a dr01 If he iaczI
S about to be realized, and we shall |
presently enter upon the construction |
If the canal.
1 challenge anyone to point out where |
L violation of international law in re- |
alton to the isthmian canal. He acted /
promptly when it became apparent that |
Ne were to be the victims of unrea- /
Colombia But what he did was war
-anted by the circumstances, and was
n accordance with interna tional |
aw. Reciprocity with Cuba and the /
sthmian canal have been the two most !
questions considered by con-
sress during President Roosevelt's adj /
hatever the president |
las done in connection with these SUBJ
ects has met with the approval of con-
sress and has been fully concurred in
~ the people.
Some time ago it was charged in the
and by certain individuals |
hat there was fraud and corruption in
he management of the postoffice de-
,artment This charge was brought to
he attention of President Roosevelt.
md it can be said to his everlasting
.redit that instead of ignoring the
,harges he insisted that there should
,e thorough and complete investiga-
ion The investigation was placed in
harge of Joseph L. Bristow of Kan
as. whose reputa ton in this state was
warrant that an honest, fear
ess inquiry would be instituted. To the
egret of every self-respecling citizen
he charges were found to be true, that
many high officials in the postoffice de-
'artment were finally implicated. The