The Topeka state journal., 1908-06-16
In His Speech Opening the Ma
tiOnal Convention.
DEALS WITH AFFAIRS
OF the Government in All Its
Departments.
Calls for Tariff Revision and
Currency Reform.

Caesar Burrows Of Michigan on as
suming the gavel as temporary chair
man of the Republican national con-
vention spoke as follows:
Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen of the
Convention:
Another chapter in our national his
tory under Republican administration
is soon to be concluded, and conform
ing to party usage long established
this convention Of $50 delegates and
their alternates, chosen by the Repub-
lican electorate from every state and
territory within the confines of the re-
public, meets in this high council to
submit the record of it's achievements
to the critical review Of the American
people and make fresh avowal of its
faith in the principles and policies OF
the Republican party.
The trainers Of the federal constitu-
ton wisely provided that all govern
mental power should be lodged with
and retained by the people. and that
their chosen representatives selected
to administer the affairs of govern
ment should be vested with only a
limited tenure of official life, and at
regular and stated periods render an
account of their stewardship to their
rightful sovereign, to the end that the
administration of public anairs'
viduals and parties, should at all times
conform to and reflect the dominant
judgment of the American people.
: To this end the constitutional term
of the executive Office is limited to
four years, the senatorial to six, with
a third of it's membership subject to
change every two years. while the SER
vice of members of the national house
of representatives, the immediate and
direct sponsors of the people, IS re-
strieted to the brief period of two
years. Thus in this free representa-
tive government all power over offi-
cials, parties, and policies rests at all
times with the supreme electorate
confirming the declaration OF Abra-
ham Lincoln that this is in fact a
government of the people, by the
people, and for the people,.
The Coming Election.
4 Insthe approaching election. a presi-
dent and vice president of the United
states, a full membership of the house
of representatives, consisting, OF 1898
members and delegates. and thirty
United States senator's from as many
different states are to be chosen. The
result. involving as it does the control
Of both the executive and legislative
branches Of the national government,
with the opportunity for change OF
parties and policies. is of transcendent
Importance and far-reachfng conse-
ouences. involving the states and the
nation.
Four years ago the Republican par
i.ty in national convention submitted
1.-the record Of it's achievements to the
American people, announced it's poll
cies for the future, and. invoking con-
tinuance of public favor, placed in
nomination for the Office OF president
and vice president OF the United
States, Theodore Roosevelt and Chas.
w. Fairbanks, who were elected and
| the platform approved by popular
vote of 7623,485, record unexam-
pied in the history of political parties
snce the foundation of the govern
| ment receiving the Endorsement Of 80
states out of the As, with put 15 IN
| opposition.
| In view of this Endorsement, it be-
come pertinent and opportune to IN
| uuire. What has the Republican party
done in the last four years of govern
mental control-in many respects the
most remarkable and brilliant in the
| history of the party and the country
| to forfeit public confidence or create
ditsrust in its capacity for future ad-
ministration? Although some unto
ward and unforeseen conditions nave
| beset the Republic during the last four
wears vet these have been met and
| overcome with alacrity and courage.
and the country has marched steadily
| onward in its matchless course OF IN
dustrial triumphs. The wise and pene-
fcent legislation of the Repuollcan
| narty during the long years of It's
ascendencv and administration of ma
tionaI affairs laid the foundation for
| the public veal so securely that nc dis
| ouieting condition, not even tenn
porary panic, which necessarily toucn-
es the handspring of all industrial Ire
could arrest the country's reslstless
| advance.
| Growth in Population.
Since the last national Republican
convention, four years ago, our popuia'
ton has Increased from s11z millions
| to S71s millions, while 4 mIl1ons OF I'M
migrants from every quarter OF the
globe have found welcome to our shores
and protection under our flag
| During the last four years our Hooks
and herds have increased in value from
1898 million dollars to 4.3S1 millions
| The value of our farm products from
5,s17 millions to 7,4l2 mlillons.
| The output of coal from o14 iIiilioA
| tons to APO millions.
| O11r product of gold from "A millions
| of dollars to 80 millions.
| The accumulation in savings banks
of 2.s15 million dollars in 1903 was aug
| mented to 3,495 millions in 1907.
| The deposits in all banks in 1909 ag-
cregating 1858 million dollars. reached
| the fabulous sum of Ii billions In 1901
| an increase Of 3,546 million dollars in
four years.
Two millions of spindles In our cot
ton mills were added, and the domestic
! cotton used in our factories In 1907
| amounted to over million bales, as
against 1924, 900 bales in 1903.
| The importations of raw silk to sup
p1v our mills increased from a little
over Is million pounds In l90S to nearly
19 million pounds in 1907.
| Tn spite of the disQuieting condition:
incident to the regulation of rates or
Interstate railroads, 20 thousand miles
| of new trackage have been added II
the past four years.
~ n