Connecticut western news. [volume] (Salisbury, Litchfield Co., Conn.) 1871-1970, 1908-06-25

ana fearless administration. But expert
ence has shown that its effectiveness can
be strengthened. and its real object better
obtained, by such amendments as will give
to the federal government greater super
vision and control over, and secure greater
publicity in the homogeneous of, that class
of interstate corporations having power
and opportunity to effect monopolies, and
at the same time will not interfere with
the operation of such associations among
business men, farmers and wage earners
as result in a positive benefit to the pub
lie. ...... ..
We approve the enactment of the rail-
road rate law and the vigorous enforce
ment by the present administration of the
statutes against rebates and discrimina-
tons, as the result of which the advan-
tages formerly possessed by the large
shippers over the small shippers have sub
stantially disappeared. In this connection
we commend the appropriation of $3.50, 900
by the present congress in order to enable
the interstate commerce commission thor
oughly to investigate and to give pub
licity to the accounts OF interstate rail-
roads We believe, however. that the In
terstate 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 always the principle of
competition between 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 re-
striction the future overissue of stocks
and bonds by interstate carriers.
Party's Labor Record.
The same wise policy which has induced
the Republican party to maintain protec-
ton to American labor; to establish an
eight hour day in the construction of all
public work; to increase the list of en-
ployees who shall have preferred claims
fer wages under the bankruptcy laws; to
adopt an adequate child labor statute for
the District of Columbia; to direct an in
Vestigaticn into the conditions of work.
ing women and children, and later of en-
ployees of telephone and telegraph COM
panies engaged in interstate business; to
appropriate $4,000 at the recent session
of congress in order to secure a thorough
inquiry into the causes of catastrophes
and loss OF life in the mines, and to amend
and strengthen the law prohibiting the
Importation of contract labor, will be pur-
sued in every legitimate direction within
federal authority to Tighten the burdens
and increase the opportunity for happi-
ness and advancement of all who toll.
The Republican party recognizes the spe-
cial needs of wageworkers generally, 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 stand for the needs of
every American, whatever his occupation.
In his capacity as self respecting citizen.
Natural Resources and Waterways.
We indorse the movement inaugurated
by the president for the cooperative con-
servation of natural resources: we favor
the preservation of the White mountain
and Appalachian forests; we approve all
measures to prevent the waste of timber.
and commend the work now going on for
the reclamation of arid lands. No obliga-
ton of the future is more insistent, and
none will result in greater blessings to
posterity In line with this splendid I'M
dertaling is the further duty equally inn
perative, to enter upon systematic inn
provement upon large and comprehen-
sive plan, just to all portions of the coun-
try, of the waterways, harbors, and great
lakes, whose natural adaptability to the
increasing traffic of the land is one of the
greatest gifts of benign Providence.
Army and Navy.
The Sixtieth congress passed many COM
mendable acts increasing the efficiency of
the army and navy; making the militia
of the states an integral part of the ma
tionai establishment; authorizing joint
maneuvers of the army and militia; for
tifying new naval bases and completing
the construction of coaling stations; insti-
tuting a female nurse corps for naval
hospitals and ships, and adding two new
hattleships, ten torpedo boat destroyers,
rines to the strength of the navy, AL
though at peace with all the world and
secure in the consciousness that the
American people do not desire and will
not provoke war with any other coun-
try, we nevertheless declare our unalter-
able devotion to a policy that will keep
this republic ready at all times to defend
her traditional doctrines, protect her citi-
zens at home and abroad, and assure her
appropriate part in promoting permanent
tranquility among the nations.
Another Republican policy which must
be ever maintained is that of generous
provision for those who have fought the
country's battles and for the widows and
orphans of those who have fallen. We
commend the increase in the widows pen
sion made by the last congress, and de-
clare for liberal administration of all
pension laws to the end that the peoples
gratitude may grow deeper as the memo
ries of heroic sacrifice grow more sacred
with the passing years.
Cuba, Porto Rico, Philippines and
Panama.
The American government in Repub-
lican hands has freed Cuba, given peace
and protection to Porto Rico and the Phil
ippines, under our flag, and begun the
construction of the Panama canal. The
present conditions in Cuba vindicate the
wisdom Of maintaining between that re-
public and this imperishable bonds of mu-
tua1 interest, ana tne nope is now eN-
pressed that the Cuban people will soon
again be ready to assume complete sover-
eighty over their land.
Democratic Party Criticised.
Beyond platform declarations, there are
fundamental differences between the Re
publican party and it's chief opponent
which make the one worthy and the other
unworthy of public trust.
In principle. the difference between De-
mocracy and Republicanism is that one
stands for vacillation and timidity in gov
eminent, the other for strength and pur-
pose; one stands for obstruction, the 9TH
er for construction; one promises, the 9TH
er performs; one finds fault, the other
finds work.
The present tendencies of the two par
ties are even more marked by inherent