The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1906-06-29
RepubIicanism of 1906.

man J. w. Fordney was called to pre-
side and upon taking the chair spoke al
some length upon question Of interest
to-day In part he said:
'Ibelieve that the people of the state,
of our city and county are able to con
graduate themselves on the efficiency
of their officers. Every man elected in
1904 has filed the Office to which he was
elected with honor. No complaint is
heard from the people against the
actions of any officer from governor
down 10 game warden.
I'm our national affairs we must
recognize the fact that conditions are
good for labor and capital. In the past
few months / have had occasion to
travel from the Atlantic ocean to the
Pacific and from north to south
Everywhere l found business conditions
good and factories working on full time
and in many cases overtime to keep up
with the demand for American pro-
ducts"
Mr. Fordney touched on the next
national campaign and said that it is
apparent that Bryan will be the nomi-
nee of the Democratic party for presi-
dent. In few words he spoke of the
free silver and other Bryan illusions
that Mr.. Bryan has seen refuted by
facts and conditions. The speaker also
reviewed the financial and industrial
conditions in the country when the Re-
publicans were again installed in power,
the growth of general prosperity, the
increase of wealth per capita and other
effcts of sound business administra-
ton.
On the subject of reciprocity Mr..
'Fordney said, II am a stand -patter my
self on the tariff question"
He described reciprocity, from the
true Republican standpoint, as the ex
change of American made products for
foreign made goods that are not made
here at home. This sort of reciprocity
is the kind Mr.. Fordney favors. He
noted the fact that the 90 per cent.
tariff reduction in favor of Cuba does
not operate to the advantage of the
United States and the balance of trade
with Cuba is still largely in favor of
Cuba While Cuba is herself enjoying
a remarkable era of prosperity and max
ing large purchases of foreign goods,
the United States pays her a. large total
of gold to settle the balance of trade.
AS an. example of desirable trade
condition Mr.. Fordney cited that be-
tween the United States and Canada, to
which is sent an enormous total of
goods and with which the balance of
trade is largely in favor of the Unit
ed States. He also called attention
to the fact that the United States
trade with the whole world is steadily
increasing, thus charging the markets
for American goods and providing en-
ployment for American labor.
On the matter of legislation as aim
ed at corporations the speaker advised
temperance and prudence, urging the
application of existing laws as able to
meet most of the necessities of the ma
ton
President Roosevelt he characterized
as "a man with backbone of iron.
1t is his duty to initiate legislation to
protect the interests of the people.
On the subject Of untaxed alcohol for
mechanical purposes, warmly support
ed in congress by Congressman Ford
ney, the speaker stated that many in
dustries had been driven from the
United States to foreign countries be-
cause of the high revenue tax on methyl
alcohol in the United States and its
freedom from tax in many foreign
countries that are rivals in manufactur.
ing. AS to the threat of destruction of
the wood alcohol industry in America,
Mr.. Fordney pointed out the fact that
the choice of denaturizing agent, to
be used in untaxed alcohol, is left by
the law with the secretary of the
treasury and that he has decided that
wood alcohol is to be thus used. This
not only removes the danger to the
wood alcohol industry of America but |
insures it large market as denaturiz-
ing agent.
An interesting feature of his remarks !
on the subject of untaxed alcohol was
his reference to the new manufactures |
that will probably result as passage of |
the measure. He cited the manufac- |
ture in France of artificial silk from |
American cotton, by the use of free al |
cohol. He stated that he has been in
formed by one conversant with the sub
lect that there will be an artificial silk
industry in the United States employ
ing more than 1000 men.
In closing, Mr.. Fordney declared |
that the national prosperity is due to |
the gold standard and the high protec-
tive policy for which the Republican
party stands. He closed by referring
to whispers of coming Democratic
Landslide and said: There was land.
side in Oregon the other day and the |
state went Republican by 15O0O"