Jasper County Democrat, Volume 6, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 August 1903 — POLITICS OF THE DAY [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

POLITICS OF THE DAY

Reciprocity Promises. The drift of the Republican leaders from reciprocity to which they were ardently committed under the leadership of Blaine and indorsed by McKinley, Is a reversal of party policy that Is remarkable. When Mr. Dlngley and his Republican associates devised the tariff bill of 1897, they incorporated In it a reciprocity clause and from the unanimity with which the bill was passed, the whole Republican party appeared to indorse It. To appease the ultra protectionists many of the duties provided for In the schedules were purposely placed beyond the bounds of reasonable protection, in some cases highert than, the protected interests asked for, so that when the rates were revised by reciprocity treaties they would still be high enough to protect the tariff barons from foreign competition. The bill having expressly provided for reciprocity treaties, the McKinley administration at once proceeded to negotiate with foreign countries. Treaties were made with nearly every country, but the Senate refused to ratify them and the schedules are still retained at the extreme high rates. This evasion of the intent and the letter of the Dlngley bill is a fraud npon the taxpayers of the country, perpetrated in the interest of the trusts and combines The few who gain by the tariff have obtained control of the

machinery of legislation to the detriment of the many who pay the tax cr the exorbitant profit to the trusts. The Speaker of the House of Representatives is selected, and the committees are appointed, to conserve the interests of monopolistic combinations. President Roosevelt falls into line with the majority and agrees that we must “let well enough alone.” The symptoms of revolt against this policy amongst the Republican l.aders has been curbed, but in the minds of the people It is rampant and cannot be obliterated by the actions of President or Congress. The promise to reform the iniquities of the tariff after election will probably be made in the platform of the Republican national convention, but the evident Intention being to catch the votes of reformers and then still “let well enough alone,’’ will be too palpable to fool the voters. High trust prices are an object lesson that too many are suffering from and the promise of reform at some distant date will hardly curb their impatience. When the tariff barons refuse to allow the ratification of the reciprocity treaties which were Intended to aid our export trade, how can the Republicans, no matter what promises they may make in national platform, be expected to revise the tariff? When they decline to carry out a law of their own making which would reduce In a small measure the profits of two or three small monopolies, of what value are their promises to pass a law that would force competition on all the tariff monopoll ists. With the Republican majority in Congress, bound by fetters of steel to the tariff barons, it is absurd to expect them to strike off the shackles, and they never will do It General Miles Snubbed. No administration has ever perpetrated so shabby a trick as the present one in refusing to say a word of praise for Lieutenant General Nelson A. Miles on his retirement for age by operation of the law of 1882. After forty-two years faithfully, serving the United States and by virtue of his distinguished services from a private to the highest command, be Is allowed to retire without the usual compliments. When General Schofield was retired President Cleveland paid a warm tribute to hte gallantry and faithful services. President Roosevelt at the Instance of the ruling cabal, headed by Root and Corbin, who are not worthy to wipe the dust from the

boots of General Miles, joins them in trying to humiliate the man who fought npon a hundred fields without fear and without reproach. The persistent efforts to exasperate and belittle General Miles during the war with Spain and since tvas due to jealousy and fear of his becoming too powerful. He was refused the active command of the army in Cuba, and for his exposure of the rotten beef scandal—the whole truth of which has not yet been told —he was considered politically dangerous to the Republican oligarchy that have been In command. That he has always been a consistent though independent Republican and so thoroughly honest and capable that the powers that be could not buy or cajole him were the reasons for his mistreatment. That the official slight to General Miles was concocted by his enemies was not so much to be wondered at, hut that President Roosevelt should aid and countenance their meanness and hold back what was justly due from the commander-ln-chief to the brave general, shows the vast difference between the greatness and littleness of soul that should be expected of a President of the United States. It was officially announced in the Washington Post that: ‘The determination to confine the announcement of the retirement of the lieutenant general to the usual form

was reached after deliberation and with a full knowledge of the precedents. It was made a matter of conference during the last visit of Secretary Root to Oyster Bay, although it is known the decision promulgated yesterday was arrived at some time ago.” So it was not an oversight but a deliberate slight. The American people will remember this when the accounts are cast up for the final reckoning. To Coerce Railroad Employes. The railroad managers must fear a .strike of their employes for they have made a bargain with Postmaster General Payne to have the United States mail carried on all trains, passenger and freight The press report of the arrangement states that this will prevent any strike of railway employes being successful, as it will give the President power to order United States troops to the scene of the trouble and prevent the strikers from interfering with the operation of the railroads. There is one thing that may prevent the carrying out of this program, as Congress must make the necessary appropriation to pay the baggage men and others for the extra work. Unless It can be shown that the public will secure an increased service that is necessary there should be concerted opposltlon against such a eonspirtey. ’Consideriug the risk they run .and Sthe hard work they do, railroad men are the worst paid of any of the expert workingmen in the country and for the United States government to use its power by combining with the railroads to coerce them In case the men should feel that a strike was the only meant of getting fair treatment or pay, is hardly fair play, and should not be permitted.

Wall Street—Why did I eat that green fruit? Bring the Elastic Currency Cordial, quick!—Duluth News-Tribune.