The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-07-28


plus. The surplus last year, for 81
stance, was greater than the deficit
this year, so that, in fact, under the
present administration there has been
no deficit but surplus which is
actually in the treasury.
The Democratic platform nowhere
points out the expenditures which
might be reduced or avoided. 1t
would be found generally that to the
increases which have occurred, Demo-
cratic representatives in congress
made no opposition. but rather sup
ported the measures providing them,
and now the party has not the cour-
age to indicate what part Of govern
ment cost it would end. 1t Joins the
Republican party specifically in ap-
proving the outlay of $150,OO0,O00 as
pensions. 1t expressly favors also the
cost OF greatly increased river and
harbor improvements. the cost of
doubling the navy, and Of many other
enterprises to which it urges the gov
eminent. It's attack, therefore, has
nothing in 1t either OF fairness or sin
certify.
High Character of Administration.
,The truth is that 1t is known of all
fair-minded men that. there never has
been an administration in the govern
ment more efficiently conducted, more
free from scandal. and in which the
standard of official duty has been set
higher than in the present Republican
administration, which the Democratic
platform has thus denounced. 1t has
had to meet the problems arising
from the enormous expansion of gov
eminent functions under new legis-
lative measures as well as in the new
dependencies, and in the greatest con-
structive work of modern times, the
Panama canal, and it's members may
we'll feel a just pride in the exception
al record for efficiency economy, hon
esty and fidelity which it has made.
We may rely upon our record in this
regard in an appeal to the American
people for their approval.
The foreign policy of this country
under the present administration has
greatly contributed to the peace of the
world. The important part of the ad-
ministration took in bringing about an
end of the Russian-Japanese war by q
treaty honorable to both parties and
America and Cuba are striking in
stances of this. The arbitration
treaties signed with all the important
nations of the world mark great step
forward in the development of the
usefulness of The Hague tribunal. The
visit of Secretary Root to South Amer
lea emphasized our friendship for our
sister republics which are making
such strides in the South Hemisphere,
and met with a most cordial and graft
Tying response from our Lat1n-AIuer-
lean colleagues. The assistance which
we are rendering in Santo Domingo
to enable that government to meet its
obligations and avoid anarchy is an
other instance of successful work or
this administration in helping our
neighbors.
This administration has by the
promptness. skill and energy of its
negotiations secured dominion in the
Canal zone of the Isthmus of Panama,
without which the construction of the
canal would have been impossible. 1t
has subdued the heretofore insur-
mountable obstacle of disease and
made the place Of work healthy. 1t
has created such an Organization that
in six years certainly, and probably IN
less, the Atlantic. and Pacific will be
united, to the everlasting. benefit Of
the worlds commerce and the effec-
tiveness of our navy will be doubled.
The mere. statement of the things
actually done by this administration
at home, in our dependencies, and in
foreign affairs shows a. marvel of sue
cessful accomplishment, and if ever a
party has entitled itself to the ap-
prevail of its works by a renewed man
date Of power from the people whom
it served, it is the Republican party in
the present campaign.
The only respect in which nothing
has been done is in the development
of our foreign marine. AS long as we
uphold the system of protection for
our home industries we must recog-
nize that it is inapplicable to assist
those of our citizens engaged in the
foreign shipping business, because
there is no feasible means of exclud-
ing foreign competition, and that the
only other method of building up such
business is by the direct aid in the
form of mail subsidy. 1 am in favor
of the bill considered in the last con-
AtxvA M, 4af. h
lishment of direct steamship lines be-
tween our Atlantic ports and South
America would certainly do much to
develop a trade that might be made
far greater. On the Pacific, the whole
shipping trade threatens to pass into
the control of Japan. Something
ought to be done. and the bill which
failed was a step in the right direc-
ton.
independent Democrats.
The Democratic party under its
present leadership in previous cam
paigns has manifested itself TO en-
brace any doctrine which would win
votes, with little sense of responsible
ity for it's practical operation. In its
striving for success 1t has ignored the
business prosperity Of the country,
has departed from sound economic
and governmental principles, and has
reversed its own traditional views of
constitutional construction. Patriotic
members of the party have refused to
be controlled by party ties and have
either refrained from voting or have
supported the Republican candidate.
May we not appeal to these courage
Gus and independent citizens again to
give us their support in this campaign,
because the reasons for their break
ing the bonds Of party are stronger
today than ever before?
Length of Speech Necessary.
have now reviewed at great length
the principles at issue between the
two parties When began the prepar-
alton of this speech of acceptance I
had hoped to make it much briefer
than it is, but / found on an examina-
ton of the platform and on a consid-
Grafton of the many measures passed