The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-01-19

and strikes at the dearest privilege of
the American citizen One of the grav-
est dangers that has always threatened
popular government Is the constant eff
Tort TO deprive the masses of a voice
IN government and to concentrate
power in the hands of few. Cannon
may be benevolent despot. He may
be personally honest. He may be wiser
than the average member of congress
and probably is. but the people of this
western country, at any rate. are OPP
posed to the rule of any despot, how
ever benevolent They object to sur
rendering their rights of sovereignty
to any man. however wise"
Mr. McNall took up the tariff ques-
ton and argued that the bill passed by
congress at the special session was not
redemption of the pledges that had
neen made to the people of the country
In the Chicago platform.
People Should Elect Postmasters.
Il am emphatically in favor" said
Mr.. McNeaL "of. allowing the people
equal representation in congress and
also the right to manage their local
affairs in Kansas. Why should post
masters be considered as the personal
properly OF the congressman of the
emphatically a local officer He should
be chosen by the people of the locality
he serves
Mr.. McNeal took a shot at the Uni
ted states courts and said that If
elected to congress he would so far as
he might be able. help to limit their
jurisdiction and curtail their terms of
office.
Did Not Dodge Philippine Question.
Mr McNed. made no attempt to
dodge the Philippine question. He said,
am and have been perfectly aware
that some of my friends disagree with
me in my opinion of what this gov
eminent should do with our posses
sions In the Orient. Not long ago a
friend of mine who had spent several
weeks In the Philippine Islands and
made a close and intelligent study of
conditions there wrote me saying:
You are entirely right in what you
say about the Philippines, but it is not
popular and you should abandon it,
From the standpoint of mere expedi-
ency think that he is correct. I wish.
however, that the people of this dis
trict may have a clear and correct
conception of what my position is on
this question, and then I am willing
that they shall pass judgment upon it.
1 have never advocated the, immediate
abandonment of the islands. 1 have
said that so soon as this government
can do SO with honor it ought to get
out of the Orient. fully recognize
the fact that we must perform all hon.
CRADLE obligations regardless of cost
That the islands will always be a
menace to our national peace and
constantly increasing burden to our
people I firmly believe. Prior to the
Spanish American war our army and
navy required less than 10 per cent OF
our national revenue, exclusive of pos
tai revenues. for their maintenance.
Now they require about AZ per cent
of our revenue. and if we are to main
tain our position in the Orient my
opinion is that We must double the size
of our standing army and fleet. AL
ready to support our army and navy
costs an average of $3.50 per annum
for every man, woman and child in the
Republic. and within ten years the cost
will be nearer SIS per head.
There is as I have every reason to
Relieve at this time a movement on
foot to commit this government to the
policy of permanent occupancy of the
islands in the interests of certain
trusts that are anxious to exploit their
riches. The sugar trust Is already Sc
curing title to vast areas of sugar
lands. The lumber trust is getting
possession of the vast and magnificent
forests. The cordage trust will secure
the hemp fields and the tobacco trust
the tobacco plantations They will not
be worked by American workmen, but
ry cheap Oriental labor and thus in
directly our own possessions will be
used to cheaper the free and intelligent
labor of this country. You who have
no part or lot in the profits will be
asked to bear the burden of the nee
essary vast military establishment and
if you protest you will be accused of
lack of patriotism and a desire to pull
down the American flag"
Peanuts Are Higher.
New York, Jan. ia boost in
rio of W