Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-06-19

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beneficiaries of the productive system.
Between the United States and the
Philippines we believe in a free inter-
change of products with such limita-
tons az to sugar and tobacco as will
afford adequate protection to domestic
interests.
Currency.
We approve the emergency measures
adopted by the government during
the recent financial disturbance. and
especially commend the passage by
Congress at the last session Of the
law designed to protect the country
from repetition of such stringency.
The Republican party is committed to
the development Of a permanent cur
rency system, responding to our great
er needs, and the appointment or the
national monetary commission by the
present Congress which will impartial
" Investigate all proposed methods in
sures the early realization Of this pur-
pose The present currency laws
have fully justified their adoption, but
an expanding commerce. marvellous
growth in wealth and population null
tiplying the centers OF distribution,
Increasing the demand for the move
ment Of crops in the West and South
and cntailing periodic changes in mon
etary conditions, disclose the need OF
a more elastic and adaptable system.
Such a system must meet the require
ments of agriculturalists. manufacture
ers, merchants and business men gen.
orally, must be automatic in operation,
minimizing the fluctuations in interest
rates, and above all must be in har-
mony with that Republican doctrine
which insists that every dollar shall be
based upon, and as good as gold
Postal Savings.
We favor the establishment of a
postal savings bank system for the
convenience Of the people and the en-
couragcmcnt Of thrift.
Trusts.
The Republican party passed the
sherman antitrust law over Demo-
cratic opposition and enforced it after
Democratic dereliction. 1t has been a
wholesome instrument for good in the
hands of Il wise and fearless admins
tratinn. But experience has shown that
it's effectiveness can be strengthened
and its real objects better attained by
such amendments as will give to the
federal government greater super
vision ard control over. and secure
greater publicity in. the management
OF that class Of corporations engaged
In interstate commerce having power
and opportunity to effect monopOlies.
Railroads.
We approve the enactment of the
railroad rate law and the vigorous en-
forcement by the present administra-
ton of the statutes against rebates
and determinations. as a result of
which the advantages formerly pos
sesscd by the large shipper over the
small shipper have substantially dis
appeared and in this connection we
recommend the appropriation by the |
present Congress to enable the inter-
state commerce commission to thor. |
oughly investigate. and give publicity
to. the accounts of interstate railroads
We believe, however that the inter-
state commerce law should be further |
amended so as to give railroads the
right to make and publish traffic |
agreements. subject to 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. We
favor such rational legislation and |
supervision rs will prevent the future
ovcr-ssue of stocks and bonds by in
terstate carriers.
Railroad and Government Employees.
rhn n,,t in, ,..t; ,,t;,
form at 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 firemen: the reduction
In the hours of labor of trainmen and
railroad telcgraphers; the Successful
exercise of the powers of mediation
and arbitration between interstate
railroads and their employees, and the
law making a beginning in the policy
OF compensation for injured employees
of the government, are among the most
cofnmenda BILE accomplishments of the
present administration. But there is
further work in this direction yet to be
done and the Republican party pledges
It's continued devotion to every cause
that makes for safety and the better
ment Of conditions among those whose
labor contributes so much to the pro-
gress and welfare of the country
Wages Farmers Generally.
The same wise policy which has in
duced the Republican party to MAIN
tain protection to American labor: to
establish an eight-hour day in the con-
struction of all public works, to in
crease the list of employees who shall
have preferred claims for wages under
the bankruptcy laws; to adopt child
labor statute for the District of Co.
lumbia; To direct an investigation into |
the condition of working women and
and later, of employees of tel |
ephone and telegraph companies en-
gagged in interstate business; to appro-
PIRATE $150.000 at the recent session of
Congress in order to secure thorough
inquiry into the causes of catastropheS
and loss of life in the mines: and to
and strengthen the law prohib- |
itirg the Importation of contract labor.
will be pursued in every legitimate di- |
rection within Federal authority to
n.