Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-06-20
lions as to sugar and tobacco as win
avoid injury TO domestic interests.
Currency legislation Approved.


I'VE approve the emergency meas
ures adopted by the government dur
ing the recent financial disturbance,
and especially commend the passage
by the last session Of congress OF the
temporary enactment designed 10 pro-
tect the country from a repetition OF
such stringency only until there can
be established a permanent currency
system that Will avoid all emergencies.
The present currency laws have
fully justified their adoption. but an
expanding commerce. a marvellous
growth in wealth and population. null
tiplying the centers OF distribution, I'm
creasing the demand for the move
ment OF crops In the west and south
and entailing periodic changes in
monetary conditions. disclose the need
OF a more elastic and adaptable sys-
tenn.
such a system must meet the re-
quirements OF agrlcuIturalists. manu-
facturers. merchants and business
men generally. automatic In operation,
minimizing the fluctuations in interest
yates. and. above all. It must be I'm har-
mony with the Republican doctrine
which insists that every dollar shall
be based upon. redeemable in. and as
good as gold.
Antitrust Law Amendment.
The Republican party passed the
Sherman antitrust law over Demo
cratic opposition. and enforced il after
Democratic rejection. II has been a
wholesome instrument for good in the
hands Of a wise and fearless admins
tration. But experience has shown
that its effectiveness can be strength
ened and its real object better obtain
ed. by such amendments as will give
to the federal government greater sup
ervision and control over. and secure
greater publicity I'm the management
OF that class of interstate corporations
having power and opportunity 20 effect
monopolies. and at the same time will
not interfere with the operation OF
such associations among business
men. farmers. and wage earneTs as re
suit in a positive benefit 90 the public
I'VE believe. however. that the inter.
state commerce law should be further
amended so as 10 give railroads the
right TO make and publish traffic
agreements subject 10 the approval of
the commission but maintaining al
ways the principle OF competition be.
, tween naturally competing lines and
avoiding the common control OF such
, lines by any means whatsoever and
especially favor the enactment OF such
legislation as will prevent by federal
restriction the future over-issue OF
stocks and bonds by interstate car
riers
Further Protection 20 Workingmen.
THE enactment in constitutional
form by the present session of con.
gress of the employers liability law:
the passage and enforcement OF the
safety-appliance statutes, as well as
the additional protection secured for
engineers and hremen. the reduction
IN the hours OF laborers. trainmen and
railroad telegraphers: the successful
I exercise OF the powers OF mediation
and arbitration between interstate
railroads and their employees. and the
law making a beginning in the policy
OF the government are among the most
commendable accomplishments Of the
/ present administration.
but there is further work in this
! direction yet 10 be done. and the Re
! publican party pledges its devotion 70
every cause that makes for safety and
the betterment OF conditions among
those whose labor contributes so
, much TO the progress and welfare Of
! the country.
The same wise policy which has in
duced the Republican party TO main
! tain protection 10 American labor; 70
establish an eight-hour day in the CON
: struction OF all public work: 10 in
crease the list OF employees who shall
have preferred claims for wages under
the bankruptcy laws: 10 adopt an ad-
! equate child labor statue for the Dis,
, tIict OF Columbia: to direct an investi-
cation into the conditions OF working
women and children. and later OF en-
ployes OF telephone and telegraph com
panies engaged in interstate business;
/ 20 appropriate $50 900 at the recent
session OF congress in order TO secure
! a thorough inquiry into the causes OF
I catastrophes and loss of life In the
| mines. and TO amend and strengthen
the law prohibiting the importation OF
| contract labor. Will be pursued in
every legitimate direction within fed
eral authority to tighten the burdens
and increase the opportunity for hap
/ piness and advancement OF all who
, toll
The Republican party recognizes
the special needs OF wage workers gen
| orally. for their well-being means the
well-being OF all. But more important
than all other considerations Is that OF
good citizenship. and we especially
Stsnd for the needs OF every American.
whatever his occupation, in his capa-
city as selfrespecting citizen.
Assistance &c the Farmer.
/ Among those whose welfare Is as
vital TO the welfare OF the whole coun-
try as is that OF the wage Garner Is the
American farmer The prosperity OF
the whole country rests peculiarly
upon the prosperity OF agriculture.
Free rural mail delivery was estab-
hshed over earnest Democratic opposl-
ton; II now reaches millions of our
citizens, and we favor its extension
until every community In the land re-