The Butler Weekly Times Newspaper, October 6, 1904, Page 10

<2 MEP RP rey wo DO wom. e i ment of incapacity fs in effe by Order No. 75 as to all pe us over sixty-two, The war closed nearly forty years ago. In the meantime many of our soldiers and sailors long survived the age of sixty-two, and passed y without receivin, ny pension. ful pension attorneys hunting through the statute failed to find there a pro- vision giving a pension to all who had reached sixty-two, Many prominent veterans urged the justice of congres- sional action giv s s to all veterans. Bills to that effect were introduced in Congress, And not until March of this year did any one ever claim to have made the discov- ery that the President had power to treat the statute as if it read that when a claimant had passed the age of sixty- two years he is necessarily disabled one-half in ability to perform manual labor and therefore entitled to a pen- sion. The President of the Civil Service Commission, General John ©, Black, formerly Commissioner of Pensions, and Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, indicated bis view of the order when in a recent ad- dress he thanked the President for what he had done, and advised his hearers to use their intluence that a law might be passed to the same effect, Full contidence after all seems not to have been placed on the defense of justification, for it is pleaded in mith gation that a former Democratic Pres- ident did something looking in that direction, Even if that were so— which is not admitted—our present du- ty would be none the less plain and imperative, Our people must never tolerate the citation of one act of usurpation of power as an excuse for another, The first may possibly be due to mistake; the second, being based on the first, cannot be, In explanation, however, it should be said that the or- der relied on simply provided that the -live years should be re- garded as evidence of inability to per form manual labor, Few men are able to perform manual labor at that age, but nearly all men are at sixty-two, The tirst order is based on a fact that experience teaches, the other is based on the assertion of that which is not true as a general rule, ROOSEVELT’S CHALLENGE, The old inquiry, “What are you go- ing to do about it?’ is now stated in anew form, [tis said by the adminis. tration, in reply to the publie criticism of this order, that “It is easy to test our opponents’ sincerity in this matter Whe order in question is revocable at the pleasure of the Executive, If our opponents come into power they can revoke this order and announce that they will treat the veterans of sixty- two and seventy as presumibly in full bodily wv and not entit to pension, Will) they author ‘ly state that they intend to do this? If 80, We accept the issue.” This suggests the suspicion, at least, that the order was made to create an issne—that it was supposed to present a strong strategic position in the battle of the ballots, On the assumption that the order, as stated by the Adimin- istration revocable at the pleasure of the Executive, it having been an at- tempted, though perhaps unwitting en- croachment upon the legislative power, and therefore unwarranted by the Con- stitution, I exeept the challenge and declare that if elected [ will revoke that order. But I go further and say that that being done, I will contribute my effort toward the enactment of a law to be passed by both houses of Congress and approved by the Execu- tive that will give an pension with- out reference to disability to the sur- viving heroes of the Civil War; and under the provisions of which a pen- sion may be accepted with dignity be- cause of the cousejgusness that it tomes as a just due from the people through their chosen representatives, and not as a largess distributed by the f Executive, NDER BONDS FOR PEACE, The foreign relations of the govern- ment have in late years assumed special importance, Prior to the ae- isition of the Philippines, we were tically invulnerable against at- s by foreign States. Those tropical possessions, however, seven thousand miles from our shores, have changed all this and have in effect put us under bonds to keep the peace, The new conditions call for a management of foreign affairs the more circumspect in that the-recent—American invasion. of foreign markets in all parts of the world has excited the serious appre- hension of all the great industrial peo- ples. It is essential, therefore, more than ever, to adhere strictly to the traditional policy of the country as formulated by its first pfesident and never, in my judgment, wisely de- parted from—to invite friendly rela- tions with all nations while avoiding entangling alliances with any. Such a policy means the cultivation of peace instead of the glorification of war, and the minding of our own business in lieu of spectacular intermeddling with the affairs of other nations. It means strict observance of the-principles of international law and condemns the doctrine that a great state, by reason of its strength, may rightfully appro- priate the sovereignty or territory of a small state on account of its weak- ness, It means for other American states that we claim no rights and will assume no functions save those of a friend and of an ally and defender as against European aggressions, It means that we repudiate the role of the American continental policeman; that we refuse to act as debt coilector for foreign states or their citizens; that we respect the independent soy- ereignty of each American state and its right to preserve order and other- wise regulate its own internal affairs in its own way; and that any inter- vention in its affairs by us is limited to the single office of enabling its peo- ple to work out their own political and national destiny for themselves free from the coercion of any Euro- pean state. NO EXCUSEFOR EXTRAVAGANCE Twenty-eight years have passed since the Democratic party of the State of New York, in conventicn assembled, recommended to the National Democ- racy the nomination of Samuel J. Til- den as its candidate for the Presidency, and declared it to be “their settled conviction that a return to the consti- tutional principles, frugal expenses and administrative purity of the foun- a@ors of the Republic is the first and most imperious duty of the times—the comma issue now before the peo- pie of the Union.” ‘This strong expres- }sion was ealled forth by the nati lour people, justitied an impera expenditures for the year 1875. whiel amounted to $274,000,000—a situation which, in the opinion of a majority of ive de- mand for reform in the administration of public affairs. As the expenditures | of the last fiscal yeer amounted to the enormous total of $582,000,000, it is evi- dent that a thorough investigation of the public service and the immediate | abandonment of useless and extrava- it expenditures are more 1 tounding increase is out ef all propor- tion to the increase of our population, and finds no excuse from whatever as- | pect we view the situation, The Na- | tional Democratic platform declares | that “large reductions can easily be made in the annual expenditures of the Government without impairing the efticiency of any branch of the public servi Can there be any doubt of the accuracy of this statement? Be- | tween the expenditures of the year 1886, amounting to $242,000,000, and those of the last fiscal year—the sev- enth after Grover Cleveland ceased to be President — aggregating $582,000,- 000, there is a difference so great as to excite alarm in’ the breasts of all thoughtful men, Even excluding the sum of $50,000,000 paid for the Pan- ama Canal rights and to the State of Panama, the expenditures of the last fiscal year exceeded the sum of $532, 000,000, being more than double the expenditures of the Government for all purposes during the first year of Mr. Cleveland's adtuinistration, The expenses of the first four years succeeding the last Democratic Ad- stration amounted to the enormous © of $511,000,000 per year, This large expenditure was due to a consid- erable extent to the cost of the Span- ish-American War, whieh occurred duriug that period, but the termination of that war brought no relief to the Treasury, for the average annual ex- penses of the Government during the three subsequent years ending June 30, 1904, were about $519,000,000, which is the largest sum hitherto reached, dur- ing a like period, since the close of the Civil War, CONCEALMENT OF CONDITIONS, This draft upon the revennes of the country has had the effect. which might have been anticipated, and now we have presented the reverse of the situ- ation, which led to the famous obser- vation, “It is a condition, and not.a theory, which confronts us,” for, al- though the present incumbent found at the close of the first fiseal year, dur- ing which he assumed control of the administration, a surplus of receipts over expenditures of more than $91; | 000,000, there was an excess of expen- ditures over receipts at the close of the ast fiscal year of $41,000,000, and the flicial monthly reports made by the asury Department show that the s are continuously and ) ising, While the receipts are diminishing, : In this connection it is interesting to note the recent Administrative or- ders forbidding Government. officers from making public any statement oft estimates on which future appropria- tions are to be based. If a man of ordinary intelligence and prudence should tind in the operat- ing expenses of his business such a tremendous percentage of increase, would he not promptly set on foot an inquiry for the cause of the waste, and take immediate steps to stop it, espe- cially when trusted employes have been found dishonest and convicted, and a widespread impression exists that a thorough investigation may dis- cover other cases of malfeasance? When the Chief Executive reports to Congress that, “through fraud, forger- ies and perjuries, and by shameless briberies the law relating to the proper conduct of the public service in gen- eral, and to the due administration of the Postotlice Department have been notoriously violated . .. ,” there ras a general popular demand for a id, sweeping investigation by Con- in addition to that undertaken S ne Executive himself. Such an investigation the Republican majority in Congress would not permit, al- though the minority insisted that the interest of good government demanded it. And the minority was right. The liberality, patriotism and National pride of the people should not be made an excuse for waste of the public funds. Official extravagance is official crime. re is not a sentence in the Repub- With calmness and confidence, we await the people's verdict. If called to the office of President, I shall consider myself the Chief Masis- trate of all the people and not of any faction, ‘and shall ever be mindful of that fact that on many questions of National policy there are honest differ- ences of opinion. I believe in the pa- triotism, good sense and absolute sin- cerity of all the people. I shall strive to remember that he may serve his arty best who serves his country best. lf it be the wish of the I undertake the duties of the Presi- dency, I pledge myself, with God's help, to devote all my powers and en- ergy to the duties of this exalted office. Very truly yours, ALTON B. PARKER. RECKLESS EXTRAVAGANCE. Presentation of Figures Likely to Startle the Most Ardent Apoto- gist of the Party of Waste, The Magnitude of Recent Republican Extravagance in the Administration of the Government which are given here- with are copied from the official ree- ofds of the Secretary of the Treasury, and are, therefore, beyond dispute, President Roosevat assumed office September 14, 1901, and as soon as he became firmly established in power and control, it will be observed, in- creased expenditures began, The total expenditures, actual and estimated, for the four years of his incimmbency ag- gregated $2.641,728,019,18, which is 211,407,628.89 greater than the four years of McKinley, though he conduct- ed the Spanish War, and §8S83,024,- 80: greater than the four years of Cleveland. In the first full fiscal year of Roosevelt (1908) expenditures ex- ceeded those of the first full fiscal year of MeKinley (1898) by $107,942,248.83, and in the last full fiscal year of Roosevelt (1905) expenditures, as esti- mated by the Secretary of the Treas- ury, will exceed those of the last full fiscal year of McKinley (1901) by $105,- 875,600, The last year of Mel his first by $75,302 last year of Roosevelt will exceed his first yearby $134. 1.80, Of the total increase of $88: 802,75 for .he four years of Roosevelt as compared with the four years of Cleveland, the nota- ble increase, exclusive of the postal service, is, in round numbers, $160,000,- 00 in the civil establishment, $281,- 000,000 in the naval establishment, and $284,000,000 in the military establish- ment. The total cost of the military establishment, exclusive of pensions, during the four ye : ceeds that of Cle SLIGHT CHANGE NEC*SSARY, Small Percentage of Shifting of Voters Needed to Wipe Out Odell’s Plurality, e Those supporters of Judge Parker who are discouraged by the odds against them as shown by the figures of recent elections will do well to re- flect upon the fact that there are a great many voters in this country, and that a very silght change in sentiment is enough to produce tremendous ef- fects in the election returns, At least 15,000,000 votes will be cast for President this year, The States of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware, West Virginia and Colorado, added to those carried by the Demo- crats in the last State electio) be enough to elect Judge ker, A change of 33,904 votes, or a little over one-fifth of one per cent. of the total vote of the Union, would carry these six States, A change of less than one- third of one per cent. of the vote of this State alone would wipe out Odell’s last plurality in New York, If Judge Parker's strength does not represent more than these minute mar- gins of votes, the influence of a just cause and a good candidacy on e tions has been greatly exaggerated. inley exceeded rt DANIEL, NOT DOUBTING. Virginia’s Senior Senator Entirely Hopetul of the Prospect. Eloquent Senator Daniel, of Virginia, was one of the numerous statesmen who called at Democratic Headquar- ters this week. The Senator, like all the other calle takes a very hopeful view of the situation. He said: 7, while the; CAMPAIGN LIE NAILED. Effort to lajure Parker, ia Ulster County, Completely Destroyed. The campaign liar is abroad. He be- gan his work in Judge Parker's home district by cireulating a lie through Ulster County, It purported to be a statement made by Judge Parker as to the wage an unskilled laborer was en- ed for a day's werk. But the false- hood was seen dissipated. The lie was ruined by elaborate details. The em- broidery to make it circumstantial proved too much. It brought out a sworn denial by these whese names had been dragged in. The affidavit reads as follows: Emery Freer, Samuel E. Mott and Louis’ Booth being severally duly sworn say, and each for himself says, , that he has read the article published in the Globe and Commercial Adver- tiser, of New York, of date of Septem- ber 9, 1904, wherein it is stated that on Saturday morning in the year 1902, at the store of Emery Freer in Esopus, while several residents of that place were discussing the rate of wages that shoukl be paid for unskilled labor, Judge Parker said: “I think a dollar a day is enough for any man, provided that his work is steady, Any man can live on that, and that fs all unskilled labor is worth, [am serry that T have to pay more than that, and wouldn't if we had better supply of labor there- abouts.” We note particulariy that the article so published states “on the day in question a crowd ef men were there, There were Emery Freer, Sam EB. Mott, who runs the buteher shop and livery stable; New Booth, the barber; Carl Wismer, who is now a baggage handler in the West Shore station in Kingston, and several farmers from the vicinity, who were in the village for their Satur- day's trading.” We and each of us, the said Emery Freer, being a Democrat, and the said Samuel E, Mott and Louis Booth, Re- publicans, depese and say as to the statements in sail article: First—That we are the identical per- sons named in the article, and in whose presence Judge Parker was alleged to have made said statement, Second—That ne such conversation ever took place, either at the store of Emery Freer or any other plice, and that Judge Parker never made the statements attributed to him at Freer'’s store or any other place to the know! edge of either of us, Third—That the statement Is false in substance and in fact, Fourth—That to our knowledge Judge Parker, since he has resided In Esopus, has paid the usual and going rate of wages to all the men employed by him on his place. Tn addition the said Emery Freer for himself says that he has frequently, during the absence of Judge Parker, paid the Judge's emp > has time and again cashed checks given to sald employes for wy and on his know!l- edge says that Ju Parker has al- ways paid the golng rate of w all meu employed as day farm labo: on his farm, to-wit, from $10 to $1.75, a day, and that the sta contrary published ’ true and absolutely without foundation. ” CHEAP CHARGE, Judge Parker Beyond and Above Control by Special Interests. Ex-Senator James K. Jones, of Ar- kansas, late Chairman of the Demo- cratic National Committee, joins M Bryan in unqualified praise of Judge Parker. Mr, Jones recently said of ihe candidate: “Judge Parker is recognized every where as an able, incorruptible state man, and if he saoulkd be elected Pres dent there would be no fear at any time of the business interests or pros- ! perity of the Nation being disturbed, “The cheap and contemptible charge, intended to injure Judge Parke he is dpminated or controlled by cor- rupt Wall Street elements is, beyond all doubt, Mutely false. If he is elected, he will resolutely enforce the laws against all egal combinations and under his administration no preda- jovernment faverites will be shel- tered.” THE STRENUOUS EXAMPLE, n platform recommending a reduc- tion in the expenditure of the Govern- ; hot a line suggesting that the se in the cost of the War Depar ment from $34,000,000 in 1886 to $115,- 000,000 in 1904, should be inquired into; and not a paragraph calling for a thor- ough investigation of those depart- ments of the Government in which dis- honesty has been recently disclosed. The people, however, can by their votes, if they desire it, order such an investigation and inaugurate a policy of economy and retrenchment. It is safe to say that this will not be ac- complished by endorsing at the polls the Republican majority of the House of Representatives which refused the investigation and made the appropria- tions, nor by continuing in power the Administration which made the dis- bursemenis. Reform in expenditures must be had in the Civil, Military and Naval es- tablishments in order that the National expenditures may be brought to a basis of peace and the Government maintained without recourse to the taxes of war. CONCLUSION, I have put aside a congenial work, to which I had expected to devote my life, in order to agsume, as best I can, the responsibilities your conyen- tion put upon ine, I solicit the cordial co-operation and generous assistance of every man who believes that a change of measures and of men at this time would be wise, and urge harmony of endeavor as well as vigorous action on the part of all so minded. The issues are joined and the people must render the verdict. Shall economy of administration be demanded or shall extravagance be encouraged? Shall the wrongdoer be brought to bay by the people, or must justice wait upon political oligarchy? Shall our Government stand for equal opportunity or for special privilege? Shall it remain a Government of law or become one of individual caprice? Shall we cling to the rule of the peo- “At no tie,” said Senator Daniel. “have I ever doubted the election of Parker and Davis. ‘To-day the chances are better than ever. Reports that I have received from every part of the country, especially the doubtful States, show that Democratic prospects are brightening. I feel confident that New York, New Jersey and Connecticut will go Democratic and that we will get enough votes in the Middle West to insure Parker's election.” HOPE FOR WEST VIRGINIA, W. E. Chilton, ex-Secretary of the State of West Virginia, and who served as Chairman of the Democratic organi- ion in his State when it gave its electoral vote to Cleveland, was a call- er at National Democratic Committee headquarters last week, “While West Virginia must be con- sidered a debatable State,” said Mr. vember. most popular men in the State. ” we are taking for vigilance. WHERE 106,000 WOMEN VOTE, The Republican National Committee has sent Mrs. J. Ellen Foster to do mis- sionary work among the 100,000 women who are eligible to vote in Colorado, Wyoming, Utah and Idaho. Mrs, Fos- ter will find that the women of these States are able to take care of them: selves. There are one or two local is: sues there which uppeal strongly to! lovers of freedom and fair piay, both males and females, and Mrs. Foster, professional “spellbinder,” of N customed to harp Chilton, “there are many good reasons for believing we shall carry it in No- The platform and the candi- dates of our party are very acceptable to our people, and ex-Senator Davis for many years has been one of the The principal thing we shall have to fight is the tendency of the Republicans to poll illegal votes, especially among the negroes, but I believe we shall be able to overcome this with the precautions York, will discover that they are un-! Now Yor’ like any issues that she bas been ac- upon under the di- ple, or shall we embrace beneficent rection of “Tom” Platt and “Lou” President Roosevelt. bk succeeded, »s beyond his expectations, in ng blood in the Oys- ter Bay popula They had invited the Stamford (Conn. baseball nine to play a friendly game with them, but it turned out that the Oyster Bayites were too strenveus, and instead of bat- ting the ball soon commenced to bat the Stamfordites. A pitched battle en- sued, knives were used, blood flowed and the wounded covered the field. The safe and sane people of Oyster Bay and vicinity are debating whether the “strenuous life” should be preached so constantly to their young men as to stir them up to battle with their neigh- bors and guests, DEMOCRATIC GAIN IN MAINE, While from Republican quarters the election held recently in Vermont was given considerable prominence as indi- cating the way “the cat will jump” in November, 4he Democrats attached but little importance to it, nor did they figure upon the election held in Maine last Monday as a weather vane, yet it was with a feeling of some elation that the Democratic hosts received the an- nouncement that notwithstanding a full vote had been polled in Maine, the usual Republican majority in that State had been considerably reduced. This would at least tend to offset the claims’ being made by Republican pa- pers and party managers, if it indicates nothing else. SHRINE OF THE DEAR PEE-PUL. Fassam The Los Angeles (Cal.) Times, which Oil Company. don.” devotes cousiderable space to lauda- tions of President Roosevelt and de- ifends him from the charge of being friendly to the trusts, contains in its editorial columns of recent date an edi- torial severely arraiguing the Standard It refers to the offices of the company at No. 26 Broadway, as the shrine at which the dear pee-pul are permitted to lay their colden offerings, sometimes at the rate of $30,400.90 a year, if recent accounts SOME SMALL BILLS. ‘Unconsidered and Trifling’? Items of Cost of Playing Role of World Power. Few The following figures represert ap- | proximately the cost of the Philippine experiment to date: Paid to Spain for the islands, $20,- 000,000, Paid to the friats io abandon their lands and give title to the United States, 1,000, Cost of the Army ©Dove normal from 1809 to 1:03 in sive, $500,000,000, Cost of patrolling Philippine waters and miscellaneous expenses of the fleet, $25,000,000, Expenses of the Philippine Commis- sion, two budgets, $429,000, Cost of transport service, $50,000,000, The foregoing figures are from offi- cial sources, and only one of them, that of the expense of the transports, is estimated. Here is a total outlay of $602,418,000, and we have only Just be- gun to play the role of a “world power.” This colossal sum, moreover, repre- sents only the actual and direct ex- penditures of public money in and for the Philippines, and takes no account of the enormous increase in the cost of malutaining the Army and Navy, which has been rendered necessary by the Rooseveltian policy of being prepared to “lick all creation.” Reliable statistics show that from 1893 to 1897, both inclusive, the Navy cost $152,553,452; and from 1800) to 1903, inclusive, the cost was $330,823,- 412, or almost double, The average annual cost of the Army during Cleve- land's second administration was $46,- 000,000, Since 1890, under MeKinley and Roosevelt, the average annual cost has been $137,000,000, It costs money to maintain colonies and play the bully among the nations. STIEPARD'S EXPOSURES, Democratic Proportions of Prosper- ity Far Exceed Republican Ure- tensions, Republican “Prosperity” Talk.—Shall we take the increase in total manu- factures, which is the glory of the pro- tectionists? We have not the ofticial figures before 1850, which would, no doubt, show enormous proportional in- creases, Let us, as we must, begin with 1850, The Democratic increase for 1850- 1840 was from $1,010,009 to $1,885,000,- Qu), or at the decade rate of S84 per cent, But in 1800-1900 the Republican and “protected” jner -allowing the abnormally high prices of 1900-was from $9,372,000,000 to $13,039,000,000, or at.the decade rate of only 39.2 per cent. Is it not significant that, while the total manufacturing product in- creased in 1800-1900 by 39 per cent., the increase in wages and salaries paid employes was from only $2,288,000,000 to $2,735,000,000, or at the decade rate of 19.8 per cent, being only one-half the ratable increase in the manufac- turing output? So it is to be noticed that, while population increased in 1850-1860 by 85 per cent., the increase in manufacturing output was 84 per cent, or 2.5 times the rate of popula- tion increase; but that the population increase from 1800-1900 was 21.8 per cent, While the increase in wealth was 30.2 per cent. or only 1.81 times the population increase. indeed, in what- ever just way the tigures of even man- ufacturing growth are treated, they tell for the period of Democratic rule and greater economic liberty. —Edward M. Shepard, of New York. PROMISE OR THREAT? Danger of Continuing the Republl- can Program of Extravagance, President Roosevelt in his letter of acceptance said among other things. Ve believe that the progress we have made may be taken as a measure of the progress we shall continue to make if the people again intrust the government of the nation to our hands, We do not stand still.” Considering this statement as sincere and believing that what has been done is merely a measure of what will be done, what will be the effect upon the United States Army? If what has been done is the measure of what is to be done, then the army, which now costs three times as much as when the Republicans regained power, will cost three times as much in the ensuing eight years if the government of the nation is continued in Republican hands, In other words, the army, which in 1897, cost $23,129,344, cost $70,070,300 this year, and if this “progress may be taken as a measure of the progress” which will follow, eight years from now the army will cost $210,000,000 a year. The cost of the navy, which has also tripled, may, under Mr. Roosevelt's promise {or threat), triple again. Eight Republican years have raised its an- nual cost from $33,003,234 to $98,005,- 140. Eight more years of the same sort of extravagance should naturally bring its cost up to about $300,000,000. NEW YORK CAMPAIGN. Democratic and Independent Newws- papers United For Herrick. Every Democratic and independent newspaper in the city of New York, except the Evening Post, expresses sat- isfaction with the Democratic State ticket and will give it earnest support. The Post concedes Judge Herrick’s great ability as well as his impartial- ity as a Judge, but says it cannot ad- vise its readers to vote for him because the Judge has ‘dabbled” in politics while on the bench. Yet the Post will continue to denounce Odellism in its usual vigorous style and no one need fear that any considerable number of its constituents will vote fo: the dis- credited Odell's ticket in preference to the one headed by Judge Herrick. In addition to the practically unanimous support of the Democratic and inde- pendent press, the Republican New York Sun is making a strong fight for Herrick and Harrison without any ifs” or “buts.” “Sweep all of Odell’s creatures, great and small, into the Hudson River!” is the Sun’s clarion call to honest ¥oters, irrespective of party affiliation. “Speak softly and carry a big stick.” Was ever a eee, potent suggestion of | TRUSTS AND TARIFF. | Honest Treaties Would Expand Amere ican Commerce. Francis E. Weedruff writes to the Evening Post (NX. Y., the following in-- teresting letter on “Protection:” Sir—The Republicans’ declaration that “We insist upon the maintenance of the principles of protection” is a challenge to make the question whether the principle of protection is right or wreng a campaign issue. This leaves the clean-cut issue, is: protection iu principle right or wrong? The only argument that has been ad- vanced for the former is that we see it accompanied by prosperity; and a similar argument would equally prove that the sun goes around the earth! An argument against it is that, simple because something cannot be made out of nothing, “protective” duties .can do. no more than to divert production from its natural channels; that is, from the lines of least resistance, and therefore: of least expenditure of effort, and so- of least cost of production, Converse- ly, such diversion from natural chan- nels must increase cost of production,. and, therefore, other things being equal, lessen profit. Tariff duty is only one of many fac- tors, but so far as it goes the argu- ment is contirmed by the fact that under the Walker so-called free trade tariff, when our manufactures came nearest to following the natural chan- nels of production, their ratio of in- crease, Which is hurgely dependent on relative protit, was greater than ever before or since, Under the crowning iniquity, so far, of the Dingley tariff, while the ratio ef increase, and so the: profit to the Nation, is less, corrupt legislation has diverted the lion's share of the diministed profits into the pock- ets of a tariff-privileged few—to the building up of huge individual for- tunes, that by their evil example and evil use in corrupting our Jegislators. and voters are endangering our repub- lic, It is true that, thanks to abund- ant crops, and to other canses with which protection has nothing to do except to do harm, there are crumbs of the resulting presperity for the rest: of us; but under the Walker tariff, while individual fortunes would not have been so dangerously overgrown, the people would have had full loaves, Sosic despite the delaying of the end b rust® combinations, the arti- ficial stimulant is manifestly losing its effect, and should the Republicans win it is an open seeret that to bring about another “boom” it will be neces sary to ine © the dose, at our further expense; as avell as to add ship subsi- dies, and se en, If, on the other hand, the Democrats should win, revision, properly managed as it would be by the friends ef our country (in place of friends of the tariff beneficiaries, and the Republican corruption fund), and with honest reciprocity treaties, so far from checking presperity would give it a healthy impulse by throwing open to us the field ef international trade; in which, just as fast as our necks are freed from the millstone of protection-- ism, with our natural resources, in+ cluding brains, we would lead the world, The rich employers would be- come richer, Steel rails, for example, at $28 would lose the $8 we are 1ow robbed of, but th. remaining profit of $8 on the added enormous output for the vast inerease in the foreign. trade would more than make up the loss. These employers, also, could ob- viously afford te (and so long as a good ratio of our land to our inhabitants: continues would have to) give as good. Wages as how, or betters and instead of the present alternating feasts and famines there would be more steady employment, Best of all, perhaps, as the tariff robbery was lessened its artificially en- hanced cost of living would be reduced,, and (say) fifty cents would provide what now costs a dollar, It has heen the writer's lot te spend most of his grown life abread, and although now j some years at home he still feels hu- millated whenever, as often, he finds that in his own enlighteaed country, of which he had been so proud, he now has to pay for inferior quality double what he has been used to pay- ing in the benighted worid outside, Besides the sense of huniliation, how- ever, there is also a distinct inclination to kick somebody. What justice is there in robbing us to make other men rich, or to swell the Republican cor- ruption fund? From their own selfish view point the Republicans do well to fight tooth and nail against change, except to make the duties higher. Even ten years under a scientific tariff would make my countrymen amazed that they could have been so fooled. After fifty years, our historians would: group the protection craze with the tulip mania and the South Sea bubble,. 8, A RATHER POOR COMPARISON, Alleged “statistics” being circulated by the Republican Campaign Commit- tee assert that there has been no very considerable increase in the cost of liv-- ing as compared to the wages earned, and one of the comparisons made is: with regard to building materials. It is shown that while bricks have in-- creased 30.3 per cent. putty has de-- creased 29.5 per cent. This it is con- tended is an offset, but a contractor figuring on the construction of a house would hardly be willing to offset the- increase in the cost of bricks by the de-- crease in the cost of putty. Many other such comparisons are made in the schedules furnished from the Na-- tional Bureau of Labor. FRYE’S HOME DEMOCRATIC. Lewiston, Me., the home of Senator Frye, and for many years the home of Nelson Dingley, author of the present tariff, is one of the bright spots in the- old “Pine Tree” State. At the recent Maine election Lewiston gavg a large Democratic majority, although it has: usually given a larger one for the Re- publican tickets. Biddeford, Saco and Waterville, which, like Lewiston, are- manufacturing cities, where thousands: of men and women.are employed in protected industries, all show heavy Democratic gains. In Biddeford ané Saco more than 5000 persons are em- ployed in cotton mills and 1200 in the manufacture of cotton mill machinery. “Whoever does these bcots displace Must meet Bombastes face to face.” One —_