Democratic Sentinel, Volume 22, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 September 1898 — POLITICS OF THE DAY [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

POLITICS OF THE DAY

OFF WITH THE MASK. We learn froni Honolulu, via Victoria, B. C., that bhe of the most important matters to come before the Hawaiian Commission when it meets for business Will be the question of limiting the elective franchise. There are at least two American parties in Honolulu. They lire the ins and the outs. Each professes to be more American than the other, while they disagree about pretty much everything, else under the sun, With one most Important exception. That exception is the native vote. Both are equally and mortally afraid of that and both are equally anxious that it should be suppressed by setting up qualifications for the exercise of the elective franchise which no one in fifty of the natives possesses. In this respect there is a remarkable agreement between the two American parties. Such is the information we now have and it is probably correct. Now that annexation is accomplished there is no longer a sufficient motive for concealing the fact that the natives Hate not been consulted in this business at all; that they had nothing whatever to do with the revolution of 1893 or the creation of the Dole government; that they have at no time been in favor of annexation to this country and that if they were admitted to the exercise of political privileges they would promptly oust the American party and proceed to run things in their own way. It is just as well to have the false pretenses stripped off. It may as well be admitted first as last that the whole revolution and all the intriguing for annexation have been for no other purpose than to promote the pecuniary interests of a few Americans who have been inaking fortunes growing Sugar find running some other enterprises With slave labor, euphemistically called contract labor. Let us henceforth have the plain truth and no more nonsense. Let it be understood that our annexationists are actuated not by philanthropy or patriotism, but by a lively appreciation of the value of very hard cash.—Ex.

Free Silver the Issue. What has given the Republican patty the courage th chine otit fairly and squarely fdr the single gold standard? In the light Of the history of the party for the last quartet of a century—a history of quibbling, double dealing ahd ambuscade On the money question—this new departure cannot fail to excite surprised remark. Explanation is easy, however, when it is remembered that Republicans claimed that “dollar wheat” was the result of the Dingley tariff, and that the modicum of prosperity which followed was brought about through the beneficent influence of Republican legislation. In the presence of prosperity based upon an exceptional condition of affair’s abroadfamine in India and short crops in wheat producing countries—the Republicans have gained courage enough to throw off the mask of bimetallism and to advocate the single gold standard. That the Democratic party welcomes a battle in the open Is made manifest by the action of its State conventions, which have uniformly demanded the free and unlimited coinage of silver and gold at the ratio of 16 to 1, and have enthusiastically recognized the Chicago platform as containing the declaration of Democratic principles. In 1896 the Republicans fought under cover. The St. Louis platform was a cowardly evasion of the issue, and the Republican party to-day admits this fact by refraining from approval of that compact of dishonor. Preparing to Loot Cuba. It is a fact full of significance that Republican political leaders are manifesting opposition to the appointment of Gen. Fitzhugh Lee as military governor of Cuba. This opposition is alleged to be based on the fact that Gen. Lee is a Democrat, but the real objection to him is that he is a straightforward, honorable and honest man. There are schemes on foot to loot Cuba, and Republican political leaders are in these schemes and are expecting to benefit themselves financially by their promotion. In order that such plans may not miscarry, it is necessary that a pliant or a venal military governor be appointed for the Island of Cuba." Fitzhugh Lee is neither venal nor pliant; hence the objection to him. It would be simple justice and a recognition of valuable service In time of great necessity for President McKinley to appoint Gen. Lee military governor of Cuba. But the same ring of pestilential money grabbers that encircled the President before the war began is now surrounding him. It is greatly to be apprehended that the men who have no aspirations above money and no scruples as to the manner of obtaining it may regain influence over the executive. If Gen. Lee is not given the recognition he deserves it will be a sign that Hanna, Elkins and men of that jackal type are again in control of the administration.

" he Referendum in Illinois. The Republican party of the State of Illinois has seen fit to take issue with the. Democrats on the question of direct legislation, as represented in the initiative and referendum. In the State platform adopted by the Democrats the referendum was favored, and the party is pledged to carry such a law Into effect in case the people give the party sufficient support to elect. In other words, if the Democrats of Illinois carry the Legislature, the people of the State will thereafter have a chance to vote on all important questions before they become a law. Thus the people at large would become executive, as was originally Intended by the founders of our republic. Just why the Republicans can muster up sufficient nerve to oppose the Democrats on this question is a mystery. There Is neither logic nor wisdom in their course. Yet the Republican press of the State is unanimous in opposing Democracy on this point. It is too much like, saying that the people are not sufficiently wise to legislate for themselves. If the people of Illinois are wide-awake, they will answer the Republicans at the polls In November, and in a manner that will teach them a lesson. In Behalf of the Soldiers. When Congress meets there will be an investigation as to the conduct of the war. If the Republicans succeed In retaining a majority in the House the result of that Investigation will be simply a whitewashing of Alger and all the rest of the incompetent and venal officials appointed by the Republican administration. There have been many corrupt bargains, great incapacity and Innumerable blunders during the short

campaign against the Spaniards. These matters should not be hushed up. Soldiers who have been starved by robber corrimlssaries, neglected by incompetent officers, murdered by lack of proper medical attention, should be remembered by Congress, and tile men who caused all this needless Suffering should be severely punished. But if the Republicans remain in power Congressional investigation will prove a farce. For this reason Democrats should labor strenuously to return their candidates to the House of Representatives. This is a duty the party owes to the soldiers. The war was brought about largely through Democratic influences, but the injuries to soldiers have all proceeded from Republican maladministration. Soldiers who have suffered will hesitate to bring their cases before a Republican Congress. Therefore, In behalf of these brave defenders of the flag, Democrats should work zealously for success.—Chicago Dispatch. Wisconsin Republicans, Republicans lu Wisconsin are going to have a lively time in their campaign this fall. General Scofield has been renominated after one of the hottest of factional fights. He goes before the people as an apologist for a bad administration and with the bitterest foes to his election in the ranks of his own party. Democrats will not need to waste any time in hunting up arguments against Scofield. The republican friends of the opposing candidate, La Follette, have furnished an abundant supply based on the best of evidence. Added to this, the exposure of the horrible condition of affairs so far as the wageworkers of Oshkosh are concerned will cause every man who labors for a living to cast his vote against returning such an oppressive and dishonest party to power. Republican leaders will endeavor to patch up the troubles in Wisconsin, but this will be an exceedingly difficult undertaking. The party deserves defeat, and the democrats have an excellent Opportunity to make a winning fight.

Lei Down the Tariff Bata. What to do with the country ceded by Spain iS neither the most complex hot important task that devolves upon Our people and government as a result of the SVar. The Republican protective tariff has driven Our merchants from nearly all the marts of foreign lands. It has given birth to those monsters of class legislation, trusts and monopolies, which limit production and cheapen the wages of labor. It invites—nay, forces—foreign nations to inaugurate hostile policies against our trade and to erect against American food products and American manufactured goods the barriers of prohibitive import duties. The cause of this cloud of evils banished into the realm of disuse, there will be no serious obstacle to hinder the people of this republic from marching swiftly and securely into the full fruition of trade supremacy, commercial development and national prosperity for which the events of the past four months have prepared them.—St Louis Republic.

America Will Be Watched. Our course in regard to Cuba will be closely observed by the nations of Europe, who keep distinctly in mind our formal disclaimer of any purpose of territorial aggrandizement in that quarter. if politicians and political bargains and exigencies, or the personal fads and fancies of those in authority in the War Department should constitute in the end the chief agencies for governing the island, the public would be shamed and disgraced in the estimation of the entire civilized world - Philadelphia Record. Republican Treatment of Rascals. A Republican investigating committee has reported to a Republican Governor that a Republican canal ring lias “diverted” more than $2,500,000 of the people’s money in less than a year. And after ten days the canal ring is still in office, with only vague and languid preparations to look about and see whether there is any real necessity for making some sort of attempt at criminal proceedings some day or other.—Springfield Republican. Points from the Press. Now that the end of Spanish misrule and cruelty on the western hemisphere is in sight, the American people will turn their attention to the gold combination.—Silver Knight-Watchman. If McKinley prosperity puts wheat up when the people have bread to buy, and wheat down when the farmers have wheat to sell, there will soon be an imperative call for prosperity of a different brand.—The New Era.

The “dollar wheat” boasted of by the Republican press leaders is not for the farmers. Last year nine-tenths of the farmers sold their wheat from GO to 68 cents. In the hands of speculators the same wheat reached $1.85 on the Chicago board. Now, when a new crop is in the hands of the farmers, wheat has dropped to 70 cents. Dollar wheat is not for the farmers.—Vincennes (Ind.) Sun. An indication of McKinley prosperity is the price of flax. The first of last week we were told the price was 85 cents. On Saturday the price had dropped to 50 cents. You can always depend upon the price dropping when the farmer has a crop to sell. As soon as he has sold, and the speculators have the crop, up goes the price. There is no more demand for these things just after the speculators have cornered the crop than there is just after harvest time.—Kansas Agitator. The reason why $1,250,000,000 sought an investment in Government bonds bearing 3 per cent, interest is because the owners of the money knew that although the rate of interest was low the dollars in which the bonds were to be paid would continue to grow larger and fatter under the gold standard. Property that is growing cheaper under gold contraction cannot compete in the markets against bonds payable in dollars that are appreciating in purchasing power.—Silver Knight-Watchman. The Republican party is unable to redeem its promises. It obtained a new •lease of power on the promises that it would ctte<j£ importations, put a surplus in the treasury, and raise both the price of the American product and the wages of the American laborer. So far as the fruit industry is concerned, it may have succeeded in checking importations, but wages are no higher, and in many instances they are lower, and fruit is not worth so much as it was before the Dingley bill was enacted,—Yolo Democrat,