Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-10-01
PARKER ACCEPTS
THE NOMINATION
HIS LETTER TO THE DEMOCRATIC
NOTIFICATION COMMITTEE.
VIEWS ON PUBLIC POLICIES
Saya the Tariff, Imperialism, Honesty
in Public Service and Economy in
Governmental Administration
Are Paramount Issues.

Judge Parker's formal letter Of accept
ance 10 the democratic notification COM
mittee is document Of some 5000 words,
and is addressed TO Hon. Champ Clark and
other members Of the committee. In the
opening paragraph Judge Parker says he
wishes his remarks made at the time of his
notification to he considered a part of his
lorna! response. Continuing, he says:
Grave public questions are pressing for
decision. The democratic party appeals
to the people with confidence that its
position on these questions will be accept
ed and inGorsed at the polls. While the
issues involved are numerous, some stand
forth preemnent in the public mind.
Among these are: Tariff reform. imperial
ism, economical administration and hon
esty in the public service. l shall briefly
consider these and some others within the
necessarily prescribed limits of this letter.
Imperialism.
while / presented my views at the no.
tification proceedings concerning this vital
Issue, the overshudowing importance of
this question impels me to refer to 1t again.
The issue is oftentmes referred to as
constitutionallsm VS.. Imperialism.
III We would retain our liberties and
constitutional rights unimpaired we cam
not permit or tolerate at any time or for
any purpose, the arrogation of uncon-
stitutional power 10y the executive branch
of our government. We should be ever
mindful OF the words Of Webster: Lib
ing constitutional restraints and just
division OF political powers
Continuing on the same subject, he says;
"The people Of the United States stand at
the parting OF the ways. Shall we follow
the footsteps of our fathers along the paths
OF peace, prosperity and contentment,
guided by the everything spirit Of the con-
stituton which they framed for us, or
shall we go along other and untried paths,
hitherto Stunned by all, following bindy
new ideals, which, though appealing with
brilliancy to the Imagination and ambi-
ton, may prove Will o the wisp, leading
us into difficulties from which 1t may be
impossible to extricate ourselves without
lasting injury to our national char
acter and instltutlons?"
The Tariff and the Trusts.
Turning to the subject of the tariff. and
the democratic demand for reform in that
line, he says:
Tariff reform is one of the cardinal prin-
ciples of the democratic faith and the
necessity for 1t was never greater than
at the present time. 1t should be under
taken at once In the interest of all our peo-
pie:
"The Dingley tariff is excessive In many
of its rates, and, as to them at least un-
Justly and oppressively burdens the peo-
pie. 1t secures to domestic manufacturers,
singly or In combination, the privilege of
eXacting excessive prices at home and
prices far above the level of sales made reg
ing bounty TO foreigners at the expense
of our own people. 1t levies oppressive
and unjust taxes upon many articles form
ing, In whole or part, the so-called raw
products not only burdening the con-
sumer, but also closing to the manufac-
turer the markets he needs and seeks
abroad Its unjust taxation burdens the
peope generally fyeng them to pay ex
other necessaries of life. 1t levies duties on
many articles not normally imported in any
considerable amount. which are made er-
tensively at home, for which the most ex
treme protectionist would hardly justify
protective taxes, and which in large
amounts are exported. Such duties have
been and will continue to be direct in
centive to the formation of huge Industrial
combinations, which, secure from foreign
competition, are enabled to stile domestic
competition and practically to monopolize
the home market.
Even now the argument most frequent
ly urged in behalf of the Dingley tariff,
and against tariff reform generally, is the
necessity of caring for our infant indus
tries. Many Of these industries, after a
hundred years Of lusty growth, are looming
up as industrial giants. In their case, at
least, the Dingley tariff invites combina-
tion and monopoly, and gives justification
to the expression that the tariff is the
mother of trusts
For the above mentioned reasons,
among others, the people demand re-
form Of these abuses, and such reform de-
mands and should receive immediate at
tention.
''ln the words OF our platform, we de-
mand a revision and gradual reduction
of the tariff by the friends of the masses.
and for the common veal, and not by the
friends OF its abuses, Its extortions and
determinations
Trust Remedies.
II pointed out in my earlier response the
remedy which, in my judgment, can effect
ually be applied against monopoies, and
the assurance was then given that If cx-
listing laws, including both statute and
common law, proved inadequate, contrary
to my expectations, l favor such further
legislation, within constitutional limita-
tions, as will best promote and safeguard
the interests of all the people.
whether there Is any common law which
can be applied and enforced by the fed
eral courts, cannot be determined by the
president, or by candidate for the pres
idency.
''The determination OF this question was
left by the. people in framing the consti-
tuition, to the judiciary and not to the ex-
ecutive. The supreme court of the United
States has recently considered this uucs-
tion, and, In the case Of the Western Union
Telegraph company VS.. the Call Publish
ing company, to be found in the one hun
dred and ejghty-first volume of the United
States supreme court reports. at page 92,
IL utClutu tHdl COHlHOH law principles
could be applied by United States courts
In cases involving Interstate commerce. in
the absence of United States statutes spe-
officially covering the case. Such is the
law of the land"
Reciprocity.
He says reciprocity is demanded by the
best interest Of both manufacturer and
consumer, and that reciprocal trade treat
les would enure to both. He quotes ex-
tens!vely from President McKinley's last
address at Buffalo to show that he appre-
ciated the fact that the so-called stand
pat policy must give way, and that there
must be a reduction of duties to enable
our manufacturers to compete In foreign
markets. Continuing. he says:
THE persistent refusal Of tho repub-
lican majority in the federal senate to rati-
fy the reciprocity treaties negotiated In
pursuance Of the policy advocated alike
by Mr.. Blaine and Mr.. Mckinley, and ex-
pressly sanctioned in the Dingley act IT.
self, Is discouraging exhibition of bad
faith. AS already mentioned by me. the
exorbitant duty imposed on many an i'm
ported article by the Dingley tariff was
avowedly intended by its author not to
be permanent but to serve temporarily as