Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-10-30


banners of experience. capacity and
achievement. than under the banners
which If true to the records would bear
the legends Sixteen to One-Beaten in
1885," "Imperialsm-Beaten in 19c;:" ''Po-
litical Odds and Ends-Beaten in 1904"
Mr.. Cortelyou said that there are differ
ences of opinion about the tariff and the
currency. but that the Republic party
is pledged to deal with these questions
in the interests of all the people. AS to
the tariff, he said that means protection
as principal and such revision on the
lines as may secure an equitable adjust
ment of the burdens of taxation.
With reference to the currency, the Sec
rotary said that the Republican party
stands pledged to deal with that ques-
ton in such a manner that the farmer,
the merchant, the mechanic and the
banker may be treated impartially. An
swering what he termed Mr.. Bryan's
specious plea, Shall the People Rule?"
the speaker said that the Republican
party knew no rule but that of the peo-
pie. Mr.. Cortelyou said that whether the
public credit would be resolutely MAIN
tanned if Mr.. Bryan were President and
crisis should arise would depend upon
two things-the disposition to carry out
the law, and public confidence in those
charged with carrying it out. He added
! that the laws are perfectly clear and
sound but that they are discretionary
laws. Mr.. Cortelyou said that he would
be gratificd to hear that Mr.. Bryan had
changed his free silver views and was
ready to enforce fully the gold standard
la hut hot bYc far bo hos r1
of any such declaration.
The speaker said that if Mr.. Bryan were
elected he would not appoint as secretary
of the treasury a man who believes in
| the policies of the late Grover Cleveland.
Mr.. Cortelyou referred to the statement
of friends Of Mr.. Bryan that in case of
his election he would not make any Sc
rious effort to break down the gold stand
ard, and said it is not the question wheth-
er he would take affirmative steps to
break down but whether he would take
affirmative steps to build it up, If they
were required. and whether he would in
spire confidence among business men gen.
orally that he would take such steps.
1t would be in unforeseen crisis rather
than In the enforcement OF any particu-
lar law that doubt would be felt, said
Mr.. Cortelyou, in the business community
as to whether Mr. Bryan would reso-
lutely maintain the public credit. Mr..
Cortelyou said that Mr.. Bryan is on rec
ord as opposing nearly all the measures
taken to maintain the public credit and
| that new measures Of his own devisng
would be apt to cause uneaSinesS if not
positive panic. Relative to Mr.. Bryan's
theory of oply
Mr.. Cortelyou said that it is like many
other Of his schemes in that it does not
guarantee. On the contrary. he said. it
Weakens If it does not destroy the only
real guaranty the depositor has that of
the honesty, integrity and ability of the
banking community. Since the beginning
of our national banking system, said the
speaker, the annual loss to depositors in
failed banks has been but one-twentieth
of one per cent. of the total deposits.
Taking sharp issue with Mr.. Bryan's
scheme for preventing panics, Mr.. Cor
telyou said that the remedy must be
found elsewhere than in the Democratic
candidates latest proposal. The Repub-
lcan party, he said, had gone about the
matter in a logical, rational way. He
then reviewed the steps that had been
taken and said chat the country should
never again suffer from such a currency
famine as it experienced last fall.
Referring to the statement of Mr.. Bryan
that during the past six years the num-
Der of employees in the federal service had
been increased by $4,000 Mr. Cortelyou
acknowledged that the statement was cor
rect, but said that our population during
this time had increased over 5000, 900 and
OF this increase over 5000 represent r,i-
raj letter carriers, and he asked would
Mr.. Bryan refuse to strengthen and en-
large this service. He characterized Mr..
Bryan as strong on limits, there being no
limit to his promises.
The speaker contrasted Mr.. Bryan's at
titude with that OF Mr.. Taft AMI those
who support him. Mr.. Taft he said is
not promising anything but an honest and
courageous administration, with "a fair
and impartial execution of the law and
that where new legislation may be need
ed he will recommend what will be of
interest to the people HE is not trying
to coddle the working man by promising
things impossible of attainment" said
Mr.. Cortelyou, but he has been talking
frankly to them. explaining his position
on cases tnHL nave come before MN, mas
said bluntly that there are some things he
would not do as there We're many things
he would do: that he has done some
things for labor that had been misrepre-
scented but that as now they were better
understood were found to be the basis
for labor's successful assertion Of its
rights.
Mr.. Cortelyou said that Notwithstanding
the fact that the Democratic speakers
reminded the Republicans of the recent
panic the present administration is not
going to be swerved from what it has
mapped out for the benefit of all the peo-
pie. 1t has set itself to the task of car
ryiHg on what it believes to be the will
of the people as regards certain questions
of great moment and that it is firmly con-
WINGED it has the people back of 1t in
this determination. Like all human or
CARNATIONS it has at times made mis-
takes, he said but strike a balance be-
tween its successes and it's failures and
what a splendid record there appears of
great achievements.
CT hat ~ bo