Jasper County Democrat, Volume 2, Number 9, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 June 1899 — POLITICS OF THE DAY [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

POLITICS OF THE DAY

ISSUES NEXT YEAR. Discussion as to what the dominant Issue will be during the campaign of 1900 Is attracting more or less attention from editors and politicians just now. There can be no harm in discussing thia matter, but it is not at all likely that ths issues can be mode up with any degree of certainty before the time for conflict arises. In this city not long ago William J. Bryan reiterated his belief that the Democratic national convention will “reaffirm the Chicago platform.” “But,” he added, “no man has a right at this time to say what the Democratic platform will be. You do not know what the next twelve months will bring forth.” And when asked, “Will free silver be the dominant Issue in the next campaign?” he replied: “It Is altogether too early to say what will be the dominant issue, but whatever the issue is the Democratic party will meet it squarely.” When the combat opens the dominant issue will be that which is nearest to the people. It will be the question of Immediate Importance. It will not be a matter of ancient history, nor will it be an academic theory. It will be a live question. The currency question is important, but there are other questions which may prove of more Instant and vital import. The Republicans may force the money matter to the „Xront by attempting to secure gold legislation In the next Congress, but such action is extremely problematical. Imperialism may have run its course before the Presidential campaign begins, or it may have developed into a burning issue. But the trusts will be In evidence, stronger, more dangerous, more Insolent than ever. The Republican party may endeavor to fool the people with a paltering pledge to oppose trusts, but this scheme will not work, and it is quite likely that one of the dormant questions before the people In 1900 will be that concerning the trusts.—Chicago Democrat “Currency Reform.” After much tribulation the House Republican Com mi tee has, it is alleged, brought forth a scheme of currency “reform.” This scheme is not so broad, nor so long as that devised by the Indianapolis “sound” money convention. It is a compromise and it will satisfy nobody. Briefly summarised, it is as follows: “The redemption of all obligations of the government in gold on demand. Greenbacks, when once redeemed for gold, to be reissued only for gold. Permitting national banks to issue notes to the par value of their government bonds deposited in the treasury, instead of 90 per cent, as at present Permitting the minimum capital of national banks to be $25,000, instead of $50,000, as at present.” There is nothing in this about making silver dollars redeemable in gold, nor is there a suggestion of making all the outstanding obligations of this nation gold obligations. Neither is there a hint of placing the issuing of paper money entirely in the hands of the banks. It seems that the House Republican caucus committee was not prepared to approve “wild cat” money secured only by the office furniture of the banking houses. It must not be concluded, however, that the schemes of the money power to place the gold standard absolutely in power will be abandoned. The plan suggested by the caucus is simply an “entering wedge.” Later on stronger methods will be advocated. If the Republicans remain in power the “wild cat” money scheme will be urged, and if the House and Senate can be controlled such a plan will finally be put into execution. The only hope for the people to escape slavery to the money power rests In the success of Democracy. Expansion and Taxation. The people, on account of this expansion policy, are paying war taxes in time of peace at the rate of half a million a day, but these revenues will barely suffice to meet the expenditures and additional taxation will become necessary if the policy of the administration is maintained. Instead of assisting the Filipinos to attain self-government. Instead of keeping the promises made to them a year ago, when they fought side by side with our army against the common enemy, a war is being carried on for their subjugation, thereby bringing shame and disgrace upon the American people and their boasted love for liberty.—Denver Post. Too Late in Any Event. It would therefore appear that It would be good politics on the side of the administration not to let too long a time elapse between peace “with honor and glory,” and the opening of the next Presidential campaign. It would be a smart stroke to end the war just far enough in advance of the next Presidential election for Mr. McKinley to reap the benefits of the honor and glory of peace, but too late for sober thought on the part of the masses to affect the result—Richmond Dispatch. What la Glory? Of what concern is it to us how the Philippines govern themselves and of what benefit can it be to the people of this country to rule over foreign and aMen races? It is said it wffl coat SMMV--000,000 a year to maintain our sovereignty over those islands, and an for what? Nothing at all, except for the "glory” of it and the making of a few men rich who wish to lay cables and build battleships. If men must ba en*

riched at the expense es the Government It is far better to award them eontracts for Intemat improvements, and the money will then at least be kept at home. And as for “glory," which is the more glorious—to stand for peace and justice in the world or to engage in this “destiny*’ business of slaughtering and despoiling helpless and distant peoples T —lndianapolis Sentinel. Tinkering: the Currency. Just in what shape the currency question will come before the next Congress is not yet determined by the Republican “reformers.” That matter will be governed largely by political considerations. McKinley wants to be renominated, and, of course, hopes to be re-elected President. The St Louis Republican platform pledged him to bimetallism. His party has been doing all it could to secure gold monometallism. The currency tinkers at Atlantic City have evolved a scheme which will contract the currency by Impounding all the greenbacks paid into the national treasury, and which are not to be paid out except for gold. But the business of the country will not patiently endure a contraction of the currency. The tinkers know this and have suggested that the national banks be allowed to issue notes to the full value of the bonds deposited to secure such issue, instead of 90 per cent, only, as at present. Another sugestion is to allow the establishing of new national banks with a minimum capital of (25,000 Instead of the (50,000 now required. But all these propositions may be disregarded by Congress, as the main thing is to boom McKinley, who has no earnest convictions whatever on the money question. McKinley Ont for Votes. The President has a right to pay a visit to the West if he wishes to do so. and his friends have a right to pretend that his visit is for some other than its real purpose, but the more they pretend, the more general will be the conviction that they are only pretending. As the days go on the chances for electing a Democratic President appear to be improving, and the brightening of the Democratic prospect is not a good omen, as the President sees it It is understood that Mark Hanna expects that some Eastern States that went for McKinley in 1896 will go against him in 1900, and it is necessary that the loss should be made good through the recovery of some of the Western States that voted against McKinley three years ago. It is easy to understand why a difficult and delicate task of this nature should be intrusted to the President himself, and this has led to the projecting of the Western trip that Is to have no politics in it.—Binghamton Leader. On Danaeron* Ground. Imperialism places itself above the constitution and ignores it as the trusts and combines ignore the laws whenever they come in conflict with their designs. This is imperialism of the most dangerous kind and unless the people wake up and manfully do battle for the rights guaranteed to them by the fundamental law of the land there will be no end to the assumption of power by an administration which has already gone so far outside of the law. The matter is deserving of the most serious consideration of ail fair-mind-ed, liberty-loving people who do not want to see constituional government displaced by the absolute power of imperialism. The administration is venturing on dangerous ground when in its mad desire for supremacy it annuls the fundamental law of the land. —Denver Post. Aliens or Rebels? The Federal immigration commissioner at San Francisco has forbidden ten Filipinos to land, on the ground that they are alien contract laborers. This should make a test question for the United States Supreme Court to settle, If the people of the Philippines are aliens, then those of than in arms against the United States certainly cannot be rebels. And If they are not aliens, then of course they are United States Citizens, and entitled to the privilege of moving to and fro throughout the territory of the United States and getting work whore they can find It.— Springfield Republican. A Hopeless Job. It is going to be a mighty awkward job to conduct an anti-trust campaign with the Honorable William McKinley and the Honorable John W. Griggs sitting on the safety valve. The American people are easily led by the nonet as the Honorable Jdhn R. Tanner knows to his profit, but we greatly doubt Whether they are so gullible as to accept as apostles of the anti-trust crusade the very men who are openly and notoriously the beneficiaries, apologists and obedient servants of every trust, combine and monopoly in the country.— Chicago Chronicle. UktaCrJm*, The Republican quarrel in Ohio is more than likely to mean a Democratic victory this fall. What a blow thafc woifld be to Hanna, McKinley and company just on the eve of a presidential ra mjuilgn I—Manchester Union It May Enaelf Him. When John Sherman announced his retirement from polities. Mr. Marcus Hanna heaved a sigh that caused a tidal wave tn Lake Erie.—Omaha WlsM-Hevsld.