Jasper County Democrat, Volume 5, Number 1, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 April 1902 — POLITICS OF THE DAY [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

POLITICS OF THE DAY

There Are Issues Enough. For the present every energy of the Democratic leaders, especially those in Washington, should beputforth to crystallize the sentiment of the country against the trusts, and more especially against the system of protection which has made these combinations possible; against the “trail of the trade-mark in Congress," against the subserviency of the nation, through the Republican party, to the will of the powerful capitalistic Interests that have enjoyed federal favors so long that they think they own the machinery of government. Such a concentration in itself does not antagonize Bryan and his fol-, lowers. It is simply a discrimination between the vital issue of the, time and questions.—Kansas City Star. Making a Bad Impression. President Roosevelt is creating an Impression on the American people which is distinctly unfavorable. His recent effort to straddle the SampsonSchley question was displeasing to both sides of the controversy and was clearly a cheap and unsuccessful play to tlie galleries. His attempt to force through Congress an army bill which .would centralize military authority is an evidence of overwhelming desire for personal power—which is opposed to the spirit of our form of government. His unconcealed annoyance at the frank and truthful statements of GAeral Miles before a Congressional committee shows his lamentable lack of conservatism and the narrowness of his vision.—Buffalo Courier.

The Clamor for Conquest. There is a class of politicians and there are jingoistic newspapers in the United States whose habitual tone would indicate that the true aim and highest duty of this nation is to assert its power by armed force and extend its dominion by slaughter. From the first of our truly great statesmen and our truly illustrious to the last there has never been bne who was ever found clamoring for conquest or ever endeavored to saw the dragon’s teeth of war. The men who have guided the growth of the country, fought and won the battles of the republic, took up the sword as a last resort; did so reluctantly and with regret that it had become necessary.— Atlanta Journal. « Funston Somewhat of a Nuisance. For one who has done nothing that a clever non-commissioned .officer might not have done, that young man lx suffering from the effects of one of the worst cases of conceit known in the military history of the country. In a few months he has done more talking about the capture of Aguinaido than Grant did about Vicksburg and Appomattox during all fils life, while Napoleon himself never performed tbe functions of a national schoolmaster so arrogantly or so confidently. The war in the Philippines is still some■ihlng of a national burden, but it is not half so burdensome as the mushroom heroes that strut across the country and parade their petty achievements.— Detroit Free Press.

Election of the Senators. There is but one way to force the much-needed reform and that is through the demands of the legislatures of two-thirds of the States for a constitutional convention charged with the dutj of formulating an amendment to the constitution which would take effect when ratified by two-thirds of the legislatures. Sexetai States have already made this demand and lowa is falling into line, the latest commonwealth to do so. Public sentiment is so strong upon this n atter of the poi>ular election of Senators that it is oaly a question of time when the convention wIH oe held, unless the Senate meantime shall join the House In tak lug action itself.—Philadelphia Inquirer. Not Much Like Citizen Holdisrs. The time may come In this country when a soldier will luive some of the every-day rights of citizenship. That a man fitted by education and force of character to'-eommand nn army, for example, even in time of peace, is obliged to sit like a “bump on a log” when nearly everybody else is discussing some affair of public moment, appears to be radically wrong. Ours is supposed to be a citizen soldiery, but some of the regulations are made like those which govern the soldiery of a czar.—Cincinnati Enquirer. Ruined the Edifice He Built. In less than nineteen years Theodore Roosevelt, the young kfilght in polities who posed as the champion of the people. became the defender of the very Mg/ple who were denounced by him as • part of an Infinitely dangerous orderthe wealthy criminal class.” Theodore Roosevelt started out well. He reared a giand stronghold In bls early strenuous years. But time has crumbled that fortification to pieces and to-day it stands a melancholy ruin, which appears to have been forgotten by the world.—Albany Express. Denial with a Hiring tn It." Senator Hanna Is not a candidate for the Presidency. He has said so over and over again, and his word ought to be sufficient. Mr, Hanna has even been quoted *as saying the connection of his nfiino with the Presidency Is ridiculous, which is, of course, an ex-

aggerated way of putting it. [ Senator Hanna having said that he is hot seeking the Presidency, he is to be believed. But every statesman of the present day is “in the hands of bis friends,” ajid President Roosevelt will not fait to notice that some of the friends of Mr. Hanna arq just now displaying “pernicious activity.”—Cleveland Plain Dealer. President Of a Faction. No doubt Mr. Roosevelt meant well at the outset and to-day means well. No doubt his purposes are of the best from a certain point of view, but he unquestionably “hath eaten of the insane root, ambition,” and the result is 4hat he has felt too much about the succession, about the renomination, about things that are personal to Mr. Roosevelt, rather than things helpful to the people at lar?e. Instead of making friends he has certainly lost a large number. He might have been the President of the whole people. Now he appears to be getting to be the President of a party; possibly the President only of a faction of a party.— Denver Post What Will the People Do? When the railroads and the trusts, with the aid of the courts, shall have succeeded in proving to the satisfaction of everybody that it is impossible to pass constitutional laws that will control their greed and protect the public from wholesale and never-ceasing pillage, what then? Will the American people meekly lie down and let the railroads and trusts own them, or will they rise up and own the railroads and the trusts? In the light of what history has to tell of the absorbing mai%h of democracy, which alternative is the more likely to be chosen?—Chicago American. Thirty Cent* to Lazarus. King Edward has decided that on th» day be is crowned he will give a dinner to 509,000 of the most destitute poor in bis kingdom. On that day Lazarus is not to be left to sit on the steps, but is to be invited in to gather up tbe crumbs that fall from the rich man's table. Even the beggars are to be royal guests. From the royal coffers $150,000 has been appropriated for his largess. That is at the rate of ex"aetly 30 cents a meal, and in the eyes of all those, the world over, who think and consider and feel that is precisely what the meal will look like—3o cents. —Omaha World-Herald. Selfishness of Protected Interests. Tbe selfishness of the tariff barons recoils upon itself at times, as in the case of the high protective tariff shoe manufacturers of Massachusetts, who are now demanding the free admission of Cuban hides. They would not hear to a reduction in the tariff on shoes, which would be a benefit to the coun try generally, but they insist on the abolition of the tariff on bides so that while they can charge the people what they please for the finished product they are being favored with cheaper raw material.—Memphis Commercial Appeal. Record that Speak* for Defeat. The record of the present Congress should alone defeat every Republican candidate for Congress in this year's elections. Tbe Republican party’s abandonment of American principle* and surrender to tbe land-grabbing and empire-building policies of monarchist Euro;>e must of necessity warn the American people against the peril and the folly of keeping such a party In power. There is excellent warrant of Democratic confidence that a Democratic majority will be returned to the next House of Representatives.—Bt. Louis Republic. The Warfare Upon Heroes. The administration will find that It has gained no favor with the country b.vlts treatment of General Miles, Admiral Dewey and Admiral Schley. These people stand high in public estimation despite the disparagement of President Roosevelt and Secretary of War Root and the time may come sooner than the administration anticipates when tbe people will make manifest their resentment in a most practical and convincing manner.—Syracuse Telegram. Hawley’* Anarchistic Talk. Senator Hawley of Connecticut is reported as having said: “I have an utter abhorrence of anarchy anti would give SI,OOO to get a good tfbot at an anarchist.” This reminds us of the man who said of his sou: “I have noticed that Johnny has taken to swearing. but whore the - he learned it I can't imagine."—Brooklyn Eagle.