Jasper County Democrat, Volume 2, Number 5, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 May 1899 — POLITICS OF THE DAY [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

POLITICS OF THE DAY

EASTERN DEMOCRATS.

Evidence of Increased activity among the rank and file of Democratic voters in the New England and Middle States Is rapidly accumulating. This is encouraging because when the mass of the voters reach a determination that the party in their State must line up with the national party on the great Issues of the day, local party bosses will be compelled to respect their will or give way to other leaders. It is a wellknown fact that the great mass of the Democratic voters in those States are in perfect sympathy with their party nationally, but have in most Instances permitted a small coterie of party leaders to dictate the action of conventions in the matter of platforms and candidates. All that is needed to set the party right in either of those States is for the voters to realize the necessity for action and then to act, says the National Watchman. Ine Democratic party of the nation has been through the fire oj regeneration. It has proven its loyalty to the interests of more than 05 per cent, of the American people. Its platform In 1896 attracted to the fold more than a minion and a half new voters. Under such circumstances it only requires a few courageous Democrats in each county to take up the work of educating Democrats in the principles of the Chicago platform when they will turn out to the primaries and control the party. There is no reason to be* leve that the Republican voters in the Eastern States are more satisfied with their party than they are in other States, or that thousands of them would not eagerly jpin the Democrats in the interest of good government and in opposition to the gold combination and the monopolies. But the Democrats in such States cannot expect converts to their party so long as they permit the party in the State to be at variance with the party in the nation and acknowledge the leadership of men who oppose the national platform of the party. Human nature is the same in the New England and Middle States that it is in the balance of the country, but the power of the banks and corporations is greater in those States, and to oppose them may require more courage in the individual than in other localities. But there is no reason to believe that the people cannot successfully cope with any opposition that exists. Therefore, we make an especial appeal to our friends in those States to become active in the discharge of their duties as citizens of our great republic, believing that they will Apd the task of lining up the Democratic hosts in such States, with the balance of the nation, a much easier one than they anticipate. “The battle is not to the strong alone, but to the active, the vigilant and the brave.” Bryan in New York. New York Democrats never listened to a more clear or considerate or dispassionate analysis of the currency question than that presented at the great $1 a plate Jeffersonian banquet, by Hon. W. J. Bryan. The points made are familiar to Western readers of Mr. Bryan's speeches, and need not be repeated, but to the plain people of the East, who are dependent on the Eastern press for their news, Mr. Bryan's presentation of the question came almost like a revelation, and created aq enthusiasm seldom witnessed In the great city of New York. If one comment more than another is to be made on Saturday evening’s banquet, it is that Mr. Bryan’s speech was a demonstration that Democracy stands for something more and something better than a mere subserviency to the policy of the Republican party, which is constantly striving to elevate the dollar above the man. and to place a premium on wealth, rather than manhood. It is also suggestive of the fact that the masses of the East—the common people, If you please, as distinguished from the millionaires and multimillionaires—are not antagonistic to the same classes in the West, but are animated by the same hopes and aspirations. They are just seeing the light, which long ago dawned on the West. The revolt Is certain to be a revolt against the domination of those who while masquerading as Democrats are branded with the Republican dollar mark.— Denver News. New National Issue. The municipal ownership of all public utilities has attained the dignity of a national issue, as the question is agitated throughout the land. The rights of the public must Ite defended against the greed of corporate arrogance, and when in the end the corporations will have to give way to the people they will have no one to blame but themselves for the result It was under a mistaken policy that unconditional franchises were granted heretofore, and the time for correcting that mistake has arrived. Corporations must be put on the same level with private Individuals, and no longer must they be permitetdAo receive anything without adequate compensation for it.— Denver Post. Safe Course for Democrats. The strength of the Democratic party is in its determination to combat every phase of McJUnleyism and fetch ihe government Lack to its old moorings in the hearts and affections of the people. It would be hard, so far in advance of the meeting of the convention, to say Just what particular policy of the

Republicans will be the most threatefe ing to the liberties of the people at that time, but meanwhile all Democrats should keep a careful watch upon McKinley's efforts to subordinate the true purpose of the government to the interests of the powers and influences which made his election possible three years ago.—Kansas City Timees. Hanna an a Handicap. If we were not pledged to the discouragement of slang we should say that Mr. McKinley's intimate friends think he can be renominated and reelected "on his shape.” even if Mr. Hanna should blunder every hour of every day and night. They should not deceive themselves. Mr. Wanna is a living factor. He is not as promising a mentor as he used to be. He appears to be floundering about in Ohio trying to attach himself and the administration to some local boss candidate for Governor rather than striking out and blazing the way himself. He may tear the President down rather than build him up.—Cincinnati Enquirer. Trouble Ahead for the Major. Perhaps the new Speaker may be able to rule with as severe a rod as that wielded by Reed. But it is doubtful. If he is not able to enforce Reed's discipline the trouble of the administratipn will be augmented. The majority of the Republican party in the new Congress will be but 13. Really it looks as if Thomas B. Reed fully understands how easily his friend. William McKinley, will be embarrassed, and has deliberately quit so as to afford the President an opportunity to get into as much hot water as he can before the convention next year.—Cleveland Plain Dealer. Reproach on Pennsylvania. Mr. Quay has a "vindication” by. his acquittal on rhe charge of misusing State funds and by his nominal appointment by the Governor to succeed himself. But it is a vindication that doesn’t vindicate in the minds offtbe vast majority of the American people. The man who telegraphed to his partner in the use of State funds. "Shake the plum tree.” continues to run Pennsylvania, but there is no credit to Pennsylvania in the fact. Mr. Quay’s bosship is one of the anomalies of American public affairs.—Denver News. Protection a Failure The Dingley tariff law has been of no benefit to the wool growers; it has been of great disadvantage to the woolen and worsted manufacturers, and has compelled a great many of the American people to go without the clothing they have been accustomed to use and are desirous of buying. It furnishes an illustration of the disastrous effects of this form of protection, which Injures practically everybody and is of advantage to nobody.— Boston Herald. Way to Peat Trusts. Every trust in the United States will vote the Republican ticket in 1900, yet in that year we will hear the Republican stump orators screeching themselves hoarse in denunciation of trusts in order to induce the people to vote the same ticket that the trusts are supporting. The trusts cannot be beaten in that way. The only way that the trusts can be beaten is to elect the candidates that the trusts are opposing.— National Watchman. From Surplus to 'deficit. Robert E. Pattison was the last Democratic Governor of Pennsylvania, and. a mighty good one. When he retired from office in January, 1895, the State Treasury had a surplus of between $6,000,000 and $7,000,000. Where are those millions now? Ask of the winds. Instead of a surplus there is a deficit of over $5,000,000. Here is a difference of over $10,000,000 as a result of having men like Quay in control of the affairs of the State.—Quincy Herald. Road to Relief from Trusts. The people of the United States are fast awakening to a sense of the enormity of the political gfcilt involved in trust criminality. They know where lies the blame, and will, if they be true to their dearest interests, thrust from power the political organization that has surrendered the industrial, trade and transportation agencies of the country into the hands of unscrupulous, pitiless and aggressive corporate wealth.—St. Louis Republic. Brief Comment. Why call them by different names, when they are all steal trusts? If they had only found some way to preserve “preservaline,” all might have been forgiven. Agninaldo may be a barbarian and a traitor, but he seems to know how not to be captured. This assimilation on the island of Luzon is merely preliminary to corresponding programs on the other 11,999 islands. President McKinley's Philippine commissioners forgot to incorporate an abstract of title to the islands In their recent proclamation. The beef court of inquiry may whitewash the administration and the beef trust, but the people will have something to say on that matter later. If a large standing army is created in the United Statea under any pretext whatever it will signalize the beginning of the end of popular government. «