Democratic Sentinel, Volume 22, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 June 1898 — POLICS OF THE DAY [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

POLICS OF THE DAY

WISE MEN NEEDED. a In the midst of the' war’s excitement Democrats should not lose sight of the political interests of the country. Of course, this Suggestion does not Imply that the Democratic party is In any way opposed to the strictly war measures of the administration. Democrats are patriots first, last and all the time, but loyalty to party Is also a patriotic duty. One of the most Important things for the Democrats to do, undoubtedly the most Important thing, Is to it that only the best men in the party are nominated as candidates for Congress. There is a prospect that many Democratic representatives will be chosen at the next election to occupy seats in the lower house. Every one of these men should be the best man In his district. Men of clear perceptions, logical judgment and sound democracy should be named. Enthusiasts who have some special hobby should be asked to stand aside In the best Interests of the people. Wise men In Congress can make the campaign of 1900 a Democratic victory. Unwise men may cause defeat. Therefore, a wise selection of wise men Is imperative.

Low Wages and Trade. Reducing wages is the most shortsighted course of conduct that could be followed by manufacturers. This fact has been made manifest by the experiences of the cotton operators of New England. The Providence (R. I.) Journal of Qommerce in discussing the situation says: “The general reduction In wages was evidently not the remedy that the conditions demanded. In response, the price of goods fell at once, and the whole effect of the reduction was thus more than discounted. On the other hand, the domestic market was likewise paralyzed by the reduction, as the wage earners In the factory towns, who are among the best customers In the country for the products of the mills, have been compelled by the strikes and reductions to practically cease purchasing.” To take away from the consumer the power to purchase goods is the sure means of reducing the price of commodities. This is not a theory, it is a fact, and the cotton operators have found it out to their cost. This rule holds good in every branch of trade. Lowering the purchasing power decreases the demand and lowers the price. To destroy the market is not the way to build up trade. Fpain Will Pay the Bill. This government has no need to worry over the expenses of the war. In the long run Spain must pay every cent of the money which the war will cost. If Spain becomes bankrupt the Philippines and Porto Ried will be ample Indemnity for the United States. It is the fashion now to make the conquered nation pay for the privilege of being whipped. Greece is the latest example of this comparatively recent method of war-time bookkeeping. In the brave days of old the territory of an enemy was taken and held. The treasures were carried off and the people enslaved. Now the expenses of the contest are calculated and the bill presented to the vanquished. Turkey Isnow in debt to Russia $160,000,000 as a war indemnity. And Russia will give Turkey plenty of time to pay it. Germany demanded an indemnity of France to the amount of $1,000,000,000, and France paid it, much to the delight of Bismarck. If Spain had good business sense the war would end at once. But whether the war be long or short, Spain will be conquered and will have to pay the bill.—Chicago Dispatch.

The Gold Standard. The shrinkage of values In the United States since 1873 has not been less than twenty billions of dollars, or eight times the cost of the civil war, as shown by Senator Chandler and others. But even this enormous sum does not measure the whole loss. Factories have been closed and millions of men thrown out of employment whose labor would have Increased the wealth of the United States to the extent of five billions annually, as estimated by that eminent political economist, Henry Carey Baird, of Philadelphia. An amount of interest has been paid upon the national debt of the United States greater than the original principal, and also three-fifths of the debt itself, and yet the remaining two-fifths o requires more of the products of in-° dustry to capcel it than the whole debt did originally at the prices then existing. Gilded Youth with Commissions. The aristocracy of “pull,” as applied to military appointments in this war, by which the sons and relatives of great men, dead and living, are honored without the slightest reference to merit or ability to discharge the duties of the places they get, is a shameful scandal. There are dozens of rich young sbeiety men and the sons and sons-in-law of Senators and Representatives provided for. These men, as captains of the quartermaster’s and commissary departments, are to assist in the conquest of Cuba and the Philippines. Every one of the lot ought to be in the ranks, and men who have served with the regulars or militia put over them. The less Inexperience we can have among the officers of the volunteer army the better.—Springfield (Mass.) Republican. What the Nation Owes Whitney. The man to whom the nation is more indebted than to any other hundred men for its ability to maintain itself in the present war is William C. Whitney. Secretary Whitney not only laid the foundation and started the construction of our present respectable navy, but he enforced the strictest integrity throughout naval affairs from which no administration has ever dared to depart. That we have a respectable navy to-day and can meet Spain on more equal terms in open sea is due wholly to the earnest, intelligent and patriotic efforts of William C. Whitney when Secretary of the Navy.—Philadelphia Times.' . The Merritt-Alger Imbroglio. Were the President to call General Merritt and Secretary Alger into his presence and tell them frankly that there was fault on both sides, that this is no time for fighting over the controversies of the civil war, and that he would tolerate neither the neglect of an officer to gratify an old grudge nor insubordination by that officer, the public service would be Immensely benefited, perhaps in other instances than the present one—Boston Transcript. No Territorial Extension Wanted. The people are terribly In earnest. They want to see Spain thoroughly tfruM huwblea. ana a» the

sion of Cuba was the first battle cry, they would like to have something worth while done in that direction. The victory at the Philippines was a glorious one, and'the people are proud of Admiral Dewey and bis officers and men, but they do not think that should change the original policy of promptly giving substantial aid and comfort to the Cubans. The people would not have rallied to the side of the administration if they thought the declaration of war meant territorial acquisition.—Kansas City Star. Bryan's Patriotism, In spite of the fact that William J. Bryan promptly offered his services to the Government whenwar was declared, the Republican press has been bitter in its attacks because he has not entered the military service. President McKinley ignored Bryan’s offer, as might have been expected, and appointed a large number of rich nobodies to military positions. Of course, a Republican administration would naturally do all It could to discredit the Democrat who secured 6,500,000 votes at the last Presidential election. Now William J. Bryan has begun active work in recruiting a regiment of soldiers in Nebraska, which he will command, and has asked to be sent to the front, where he and Ms regiment can engage in active service. It goes without saying that Bryan’s motives will be maligned by the administration press. Doutless every effort possible will be made to keep Bryan out of the army. As long as he waited for an acceptance of his services the administration organs gibed at his delay and urged him to go to the front. Now that he Hfts become convinced that he can expect no recognition from McKinley as a patriotic citizen, and has entered upon the independent work of raising a regiment, he will be abused worse than ever.-—Chicago Dispatch.

Cheap Goods. The gold men say that a fall of prices harms no one because, if the producer has to sell more cheaply he can also buy more cheaply, and thus keep even. That sounds plausible, but in practice it doesn’t work. If everybody had the same amount of money, everything fell in the same ratio and every one occupied precisely the same position in all aspects, then the theory would hold good. But if a man’s wealth be entirely in the form of money and prices fall one-half, it makes him, in effect, Just twice as rich, and when such a change of relation takes place somebody must have sustained a loss. If one man gets more than his share others must have less. It is a singular circumstance that the gold men will persistently claim that a fall of prices will do no harm because the loses on the sales are offset by the gains on the at the same time declaring that a rise of prices is going to work dire ruin. They ought to be able to see that the rule which they invoke applies just the same to a case of rising prices as of falling. If a person sustains a loss by being compelled to pay more for what he buys It would seem as if he should be able to keep even by getting higher prices for what he sells. No Truthful Denial Possible. Mr. Wanamaker has presented documentary proofs which show conclusively that offices which are controlled by Pennsylvania politicians are literally offered for sale. So far these terrible charges of corruption have not been met. No attempt has been made- by Quay or his adherents to overcome the evidence presented by Mr. Wanamaker. They have remained silent under the accusations.—Duluth Herald. What the Bond Patriots Want, The only difference between the greenback treasury note and the United States bond is that one Is a time note which bears Interest and the other is a demand note which bears no Interest. The security is the same, but It Is the Interest which makes the difference, and It Is the Interest and the extension of the debt for which the bond patriots are fighting.—Louisville Dispatch. T"

Favoritism in the Army. The entrance of nepotism and political favoritism into the appointment of officers in our new army is worse than a blunder; it is a crime against the patriotic men who volunteer in their country’s cause. In yielding to the demands of Congressmen that their sons shall be given responsible commands, the President -himself assumes a responsibility of the gravest character.—Boston Post. Trusts Thrive in Spite of Law, For the suppression of trusts and the stoppage of their career of crime there is law'enough—perhaps too much. But aided by able lawyers whose duty as officers of the court it is to enable their clients to practice crime with impunity, the monopolies thrive and grow fat. The people have the law, but the trifets have the profits.—New York Journal. In Fpite of McKinley. Some great rulers have shaped the destinies of the nations over which they have presided, but the change in the drift of events which will make the present administration memorable for the spread of the political power of the country and probable commercial mastery has not been of the administration’s doing.—Nashville American. Sentiments Have Changed. No man ever born was too democratic. The trouble in this country now is that the sentiments of aristocracy and plutocracy have been substituted for the democracy of Jefferson and Jackson, and equality and Justice are dlsapearlng In our social and industrial life.—Columbus Press-Post. To the Third Generation. Distinction by inheritance extends even to the third generation in this glorious democracy. Not only the sons, but the grandsons of illustrious sires are falling heir to epaulettes that come by personal favor and political pull.— Cincinnati Commercial Tribune. They See It Across the Border. A clever caricature depicts Hanna frowning as he reads the news from Manila, and .exclaiming: “Dewey moved too fast!” The less Hanna, the more of a country will the United States become. He has the political evil eye.—Mexican Herald. Harvest Time for the Contractor. It Is safe to say that every contractor In the land lucky enough to get a fat job from Uncle Sam to furnish army supplies is a war patriot of the most pronounced type. Waukegan (Ill.) Democrat. About 35 per cent, of the people of Scotland are resident la toe eight clpal