Jasper County Democrat, Volume 5, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 August 1902 — POLITICS OF THE DAY [ARTICLE]

POLITICS OF THE DAY

Tariff la Father to Trusts. Because the Standard Oil and the Hard Coal Trust have not the benefit of a tariff on their products the Republican party scoffs at the Democratic contention that the tariff is the father of the trusts. That the complicity of the railroads with their discriminations against independent companies has taken these two out of the catagory of tariff made monopolies doe# not alter the general proposition at all. 'As well might it be urged that the fact that some burglars used crowbars in their housebreaking shows the Jnjustice of the ban on I>urgla rs' tools. When the Steel Trust is able to furnish structural iron cheaper in Europe and Africa than it will supply the same material here; when American sewing machines cost less in England than they do at the factory doors; when the Food Trust raises the price of meat to famine figures because it is secure against the competition of Canada mutton and Mexican beef, the potency of the element of duties in their monopolies requires no further demonstration, though the refusal to give Cuba the reciprocity we owe her, at the behest of another trust, is cumulative evidence of the same "thing.—New York American. Farmer Victims. Concluding his prediction that the corn crop of 1902 will be a record breaker, Paul Morton has this to say about the farmers: “There is no gainsaying the fact that the farmers as a class are fast growing rich, and tlie time will come in my judgment when they will be the richest people in the country, taken as a class. Furthermore, the time is coming when the farmers of the Mississippi Valley, ami I use this term in its broadest sense, will be the richest farmers in the world.” This used to be true even of the farmers of the stony, hilly and sterile lands of the East. Covetousness of the wealth of the American farmer is what furnished the energy with which the protective tariff conspiracy against him was pushed. He fell into the trap that was set for him and from his toll and savings have been amassed many of the stupendous fortunes which the monopoly tariff has rolled up. Actuated politically as they now are, the farmers of the West are likely to continue an easy prey to the exactions of the tariff cormorants, which will keep pace with the wealth which they covet.—Chicago Chronicle. Wisconsin Democrats. The La Folletteites in Wisconsin were not satisfied with the overwhelming defeat which they administered to the “stalwarts,” but they “rubbed it In” vigorously in their speeches of gratulatlon over their victory. La Follette himself In his speech of acceptance led the process of applying salt, pepper, vinegar and other irritants to the sores of the defeated faction. Under these circumstances It is not probable that the “stalwarts” will give the La Follette ticket an enthusiastic support. There will be no open bolt, but there will be a still movement which will cause a loss of thousands of votes- perhaps tens of thousands—to the Republican ticket. It is possible that the Democrats with wise nominations on a conservative platform may carry the State. With ex-Senator Vilas or General Bragg as a candidate for governor they would stand a reasonable show of success at the polls. If Colonel Vilas should be nominated and elected another important factor would appear in the Democratic presidential situa tion. —Chicago Chronicle. Doing Justice to Schley. All the newspapers which have undertaken to maintain that Rear Admiral Schley was sent to Santiago as a mere spectator of what went on after Rear Admiral Sampson got there naturally find fault with the Louisiana Legislature for passing a law which prohibits the use in the schools of that State of any history which does not give complete credit to Schley for the naval victory of July 8, 1898. But the belief that if anything had gone wrong on that day the partisans who are so anxious to deprive Rear Admiral Schley of any share of the credit for the success of our fleet would have load<*d the responsibility on him Is very strong In the minds of the American people, and this feeling Is not likely to change*—Hartford, Conn., Times. Why the Convention Failed. There Is only one point at which Governor Ln Follette and the Republican convention seems to have faltered. While declaring for a just and equitable system of taxation they failed to voice the sentiment of the people of Wisconsin and every other Western Blate In favor of just and equitable federal taxation, which is rendered Imfxsisfble by the continued existence of existing tariff schedules. St. Paul Globe. Raising the Htnndard. The Democratic congressional campaign committee is taking a most commendable course iu making efforts which are proving successful to induce men of note and of national reputation to accept nominations for Congress, with the object In view of plac-

Ing men of caliber, standing and experience In the House of Representatives who would be able to take a commanding stand, and maintain It, upon questions of national importance which will come before the next Congress.— Syracuse Telegram. a Moody Gives Good Advice. A good deal of trumpet-blowing Is heard in connection with a bill which Congressman Littlefield of Maine is supposed to be preparing at the alleged instance of President Roosevelt. Ho is goi:»g to show the Republican Congress—after election—how to bridle and lame the rampant trusts “without sacrificing the tariff, which is sacred.” President Roosevelt lias got out an injunction against the beef trust under existing law, and Is thinking about en- ■ joining the coal trust and perhaps some others. All this is done without interfering with the “sacred tariff,” and the people who keep on paying war taxes for beef and coal see how utterly useless it is. As Mr. Moody says, the only way to stop trust extortion is to take away from the trusts their tariff protection. This is a pretty bold statement of the truth to come from a member of tin* administration, and it is decidedly refreshing. We commend the idea of the Secretary of War to Mr. Roosevelt and Mr. Littlefield.—Boston Post. Just What Is Wanted. General Fitzhugh Lee fears that Cuba may drift from commercial depression to anarchy, and that in consequence we may have to Intervene to restore and maintain order, which is a long synonym for annexation. Bless General Lee’s innocent military heart-r----to wreck Cuba and then buy the island in cheap is the very program a number of congressmen have proposed to themselves. Annexation through wreckage is their aim, which, unless Congress is more generous at the next session than it was at the last, they may be able to accomplish.—Boston Transcript. Increased Cost of Diving. The cost of living continues to show increases with almost every month, and the American consumer is being made to understand that when he swallows the wind of the prosperity barkers and whistles in tune with the Republican campaign songs he must pay dear for his whistle. Every day is bringing to the front new facts to stress the great paramount Issue of forthcoming campaigns—the issue of the people's rights against tho powers and privileges of the trusts. —Atlanta Constitution. The Remedy That Is Needed. Suits against trusts to compel them to be trusts according to law are all very well in their way. But such suits, as a means of giving permanent relief to the people from trust robbery, are about as efficacious as poultices for appendicitis. What is wanted Is the destroying surgery of legislation, and nobody can expect that from a Republican Congress.—San Francisco Examiner. Democratic Proapects Bright. The shrewdest Republican politicians recognize the possibilities of Democratic reunion and of Democratic victory and that fact of Itself should increase the determination of Democrats to get together iq a manner imitating the wisdom of the past and pointing to a renewal of past victories. Brooklyn Eagle. Not Much Difference. There is not much difference between Canada and the United States after all. Wlille Canada offers protection to those who rob the American government, tlie United States offers protection to those who rob the American people—the beef trust and the steel trust.—Rochester Herald. A Permanent Investment. A man from the West who is visiting Maine recently fell ipto conversation with a quiet old farmer on a train. He was full of the greatness of the West, and talked about the big farms and big crops of his particular section, and wound up by saying: “I suppose you do manage to pick up a living on these little Maine farms.” The old Maine farmer smiled sadly and replied: “Yes; and a few years ago some of us invested money In your section and It is there yet It was a permanent investment, I guess.” The Western man changed the conversation.—New York Tribune. A Peep Into the Future. ‘‘Well,” remarked Gabriel, as he finished polishlug Ma trumpet “the time is very near at Wnd.” “For what?" asked St. Peter. “For us to take possession of the earth,” replied Gabriel. “Yes, that's a fact,” said St. Peter, as he jangled his keys. "Suppose you take a filer down that way and see what that fellow Morgan wants for It.” —Chicago News. To Fool Hubby. Mrs. Gay—But I told you to Iteinlae the bill. The Milliner —Tho bill I sent you on the first was Itemized; every item was tilers. Mrs. Gay—Gracious! You don't understand me. 1 want you to send only one Item each month, or my husband will never pay It.—Philadelphia ITeaa.