Democratic Sentinel, Volume 22, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 April 1898 — POLICS OF THE DAY [ARTICLE]

POLICS OF THE DAY

REPUBLICAN REPUDIATION. They Promise. From the hour of achieving their own Independence the people of the United States have regarded with sympathy the struggles of the other American people to free themselves from European domination. We watch with deep and abiding interest the heroic battle of the Cuban patriots against cruelty and oppression, and our best hopes go out for the full success of their determined contest for liberty. The government of Spain having lost control of Cuba, and being unable to protect the property and lives of resident American citizens, or to comply with Its treaty obligations, we believe that the government of the United States should actively use its influence and good offices to restore peace and give Independence to the Island.—From Republican Platform adopted at St. Louis. They Wabble. Nor on the standpoint of expedience do I think it would be wise or prudent for this government to recognize at the present time the independence of the socalled Cuban republic. Such recognition is not necessary In order to enable the United States to Intervene and pacify the island. To commit this country now to the recognition of any particular government in Cuba might subject us to embarrassing conditions of international obligation toward the organization so recognized. In case of intervention our conduct would be subject to the approval or disapproval of such government; we would be required to submit to its direction and to assume to it the mere relation of a friendly ally.—President’s Message of April 11, 1898.

Gold Bonds. Eastern newspapers devoted to the gold propaganda are busy devising plans to make the war with Spain an excuse for fastening the yoke of gold on the necks of the people. While certain Western monetary reform organs are fearful that silver may be given a chance because of war, Eastern newspapers are urging that quite the converse of this proposition should be 'maintained. In discussing war financial measures the New York Commer-cial-Advertiser blandly says: “We cannot borrow to advantage on our present basis, of payment. We should have to make our bonds payable in gold, or submit to a costly discount or increase of interest. This was illustrated in Cleveland’s last bond sale, when the buyers offered to take 3 per cent. If the bonds were made payable in gold and Congress refused.” It would be impolitic to discredit our present bonds and depreciate them in the markets by discriminating in favor of new issues, so It would be necessary to declare the whole public debt payable in gold. This is a lovely proposition for the bond holders and the bond buyers, but it will not meet with the approval of the people nor of the Senate of the United States. It would not lighten the burden of a new war debt, doubtless comparatively small, to make a present of 25 per cent, of the gold war debt to the bond holders by enacting that it be paid in gold. All the plots of the gold clique will come to naught. Congress refused to grant Grover Cleveland permission to issue gold bonds, and Congress can be counted on to block the little game which the money spinners are now engaged In devising.

Ohio Is Democratic, President McKinley’s own State has given the Republican party the severest blotv it has yet received this year. As recently as November last that party elected its candidate for Governor by a plurality of 28,000, despite the fight between the Foraker and Hanna factions. In the recent local contests, w r hen there was apparent harmony in the ranks, the Republicans were beaten almost everywhere, and it is estimated that the plurality of last year has not only been wdped opt, but that a Democratic one fully as large has been put in its place. Not since 1889 have the Democrats carried the State, although they came very near doing so in the Presidential election of 1892. The organization of the party has become more and more demoralized each year, and In the city of Cincinnati, where it was formerly most powerful, it lost steadily until It polled only half the votes it did formerly, and gave McKinley in 1896 a clear majority of nearly 20,000. In this same city the Republicans have just been beaten by 2,000, and yet their opponents did not half try to achieve victory. The result in this, the most important city of the State, has been practically duplicated in other cities, Mark Hanna’s influence and money scarcely being able to save the Republican ticket in Cleveland, where he has his residence, while in the smaller places Democratic mayors have been elected for the first time in twenty years. Following the in New York and other States this spring, the Ohio result Is most significant.—New York News.

Conspiracy at Washington, There Is something radically wrong in the way state secrets are handled at Washington. Every newspaper in the United States w’as on the alert Wednesday to receive and print the President’s message. Those whose business it is to get news and to get it promptly were led to believe that the message W’as to be presented to Congress about noon, but Wall street opei’ators knew two hours before the information was given to the public that the message was nft to be sent in until the following Monday. ‘ How did Wall street operators get their information? How is it that Stock speculators are given the opportunity to make fortunes on the street through advance notice of what the administration is going to do, and Congress' and the people are kept in ignorance? There is a scandal of the darkest and most disgraceful character in this condition of affairs. There is no use in attempting to avoid the conclnsion. Facts are not to be overthrown by assumptions that the men in the cabinet are too honorable and too careful to permit state secrets to “leak out.” The people were trifled with, deceived, cajoled; Congress vyas fooled and befuddled. Who is responsible for this sort of work? Congress has the right to know. —Chicago Dispatch. Mark Hanna-“ Guilty.” It is not creditable to the administration that its chief adviser should be a naan convicted of felony. Mark Hanna, who claims to have made McKinley, and who attends Cabinet meetings and states tfee President’s pol-

ley, has been fonnd guilty of bribery by the Senate committee of the Ohio Legislature appointed to investigate the charges that money was corruptly used by Hanna to secure his election to the United States Senate. No one who watched the course of the Ohio Senatorial election has ever had any doubt that Hanna resorted to bribery. No well-informed Republican politician can be fonnd who will deny the truth of the charge against Hanna, except in the glittering generalities which are the refuge of those who wish to avoid admitting the truth. Is it not a disgrace to the Senate of the United States that a convicted felon should be recognized as ohe of its members? Is it not a deeper and more bitter disgrace that such a man should be the adviser of the President?—Exchange. Hanna Not Yet Out of the Woods. The bribery charges against Senator Hanna have not been dropped. They will go to Congress iu a contest against his taking his seat for the full terni commencing on the 4th of March belt; He is now serving out the remainder of Secretary Sherman’s term as Senator. The Investigating committee of the Ohio Senate will make a partial report before the adjournment of the Legislature and be authorized to prolong its sittings to get the testimony of Senator Hanna and Charles F. Dick, the Republican State committee chairman, who have so far refused to come before the committee. That does not speak very favorably for Mr. Hanna.—Pittsburg Post. Returning; to the Farms. y One result of the financial depression —one of the good things that often come out of evil—has been the back-to-the-land movement among urban people. The Illusions that drew thousands from the farms to the cities have been shattered by the hard conditions entailed by the panic. The vital, ever present, Inescapable necessities of life are bread and butter, and these the city can give only at second-hand. Whatever storms may strew the industrial sea with wreck, food, shelter and clothing are assured to the man on the farm, while the Idle workman of the city must walk the streets In vain search for work.—St. Paul Globe.

Disgusted Republican Organa. The persistent interference of the proSpanish parties, represented in Washington chiefly by Secretaries Bliss and Gage, is having a disturbing effect In Congress and on the people. American citizenship cannot endure the thought that a question of principle and duty can be determined or considered by the profits or loss of stock speculators or of anybody else.—New York Press. “Some Things Better than Money.” It may not be amiss to remind merchants who have received solicitous peace communications from the East that there Is something higher and nobler In life than the pursuit of wealth. Patriotism and love of country shoukl'come before all else. If the peace party can reconcile Insult, treachery and dishonor with the qualities mentioned, all well and good.— Evansville Courier. >» Th 2 Weak State Department. The State Department seems to be in commission, with Judge Day, Mark Hanna and Grosvenor in charge. Of course, President McKinley must be embarrassed and weakened by such a condition, and the country, although keeping its temper admirably, is profoundly humiliated.—Pittsburg Post. Problem tor Peacemakers. Either Spain must give up Cuba or we must back down from a just, lawful and necessary position. Will the peacemakers tell us which is the more likely to promote our national contentment and well-beiug?— New York Times. Hanna Always Un-American. The American people are very tired of Marcus Alonzo Hanna. They have tolerated him for years. They will not stand him much longer. He has never said or done a thing which was not unAmerican. —Washington Times. Grim and Growing Snspicion. There Is a grim suspicion in the minds of many that the so-called “business Interests” of the country would accept peace at the price of national dishonor.—Peoria Journal.