Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 21, Number 8, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 October 1899 — WORN AND USELESS. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

WORN AND USELESS.

AN OBSOLETE* DECLARATION OF CAMPAIGN ISSUES Democrats Are Reaffirming the Chicago Calamity Platform of 1896 in Ignorant Disregard of Its Numerous Absurd Incongruities. It being the fashion of Democratic State conventions In 1889 to “reaffirm the Chicago platform of 1896,” the St Louis Globe-Democrat shrewdly raises the question whether all or any of these unanimous reaffirmers have actually read the declaration of principles which they now adopt as their own. Probably they have not To suppose otherwise would be to assume a degree of asinine absurdity quite beyond that which is commonly characteristic of Democratic making. Take, for example, the Ohio Democratic convention. Must one believe that the Committee on Resolutions knew what it was that they reaffirmed word for word? Is it possible that In the presence of conditions which give the laugh to calamity croakers and which show a state of individual and general prosperity far beyond any that has ever been experienced by the people of the United States, or by any other people on the face of the earth—is it possible that the Buckeye Bourbons remembered that in the Chicago platform of 1896 which they reaffirmed It is gravely asserted that the demonetization of silver has resulted in “the prostration of industry and the impoverishment of the people?” Where are the prostrate Industries and the Impoverished people? They existed in 1896 at the time the Chlckgo platform was promulgated, as the result, almost wholly, of free trade experiments in tariff making, but they do not exist in 1899, after two years of Republican tariff making. Much has happened since the Chicago platform was written which makes

that dismal apologue “look like thirty cents;” and yet the party which “never learns and never forgets” keeps right on reaffirming that platform. It Is asserted, seriously asserted, In these days of wonderful well-doing, that monometallism “has locked fact the prosperity of an industrial people In the paralysis of hard times.” It is such rot as this that Democratic conventions are now “reaffirming,” Well and truly the Globe-Democrat remarks that “The Chicago platform was made In the last year of a Democratic administration, under a chaotic Democratic tariff law, and in a period of distressing Democratic depression. With the passing away of the Democratic blight the clouds vanished. • • • When the Chicago convention met that hybrid absurdity, the Wilson tariff law, was In force, throwing out of balance all forms of American Industry, and at the same time producing insufficient revenue. Yet the Chicago platform contains this clause: ‘We denounce .as disturbing to business the Republican threat to restore the McKinley law.” The Dingley law has been In operation two years, and the people are familiar with its results. It has revivified our manufactures without oppressing any one and assisted in bringing about an era giving employment to all. The revenue from the Dingley law is a fourth larger than that of the Wilson law. Yet the Chicago platform said the McKinley law, upon which the Dingley law is patterned, “enriched the few at the expense of the many, restricted trade, and deprived the producers of the great American staples of access to their natural markets.” Nevertheless, our foreign trade for the last two years has been enormously larger than ever before, in manufactured articles as well as the products of agriculture.” Democratic resolution writers would do well to read up on the platform of 1896, and endeavor to evolve something for present use that Is not absolutely ridiculous in the light of known facts and conditions. T.oyal Black Men. Ths sentiments entertained toward the administration of President McKinley by the colored people of the fruited States are Indicated by the resolution adopted by the lowa conference of the African Methodist church. In session at Chicago, Sept 11. With much enthusiasm the conference placed on record Its indorsement of the Gov-

economics! administration of national affairs Ims brought a return of pronperity. “Milllone of wheels of industry, whichtwo years ago were idle and still, are now rapidly revolving, the stream of commerce is once more flowing throughout the land, and future prospects are bright for increased prosperity in all lines of Industry.” Free traders, mugwumps and copperheads are scarce articles among the colored men of this country. Would Benefit the Country. The nomination of Bryan next year now being accepted as a foregone cooelusion, there is no doubt that many of the sound money Democrats will, welcome such action by the National Coovention as a final disposition of the silver issue and Its chief champion. Men who desire the reorganization of the Democratic party on old Democratic lines realize that they can never accomplish their purpose until silver is dead and Bryan is out of the way, and they are begtantag to realize that thesurest method to bring about the desired result is to help the Republicans administer another defeat to the cause of repudiation next year. One thing certain is that if Bruyn is nominated next year on the Chioagoplatform the silver issue will be brought to the front, and every man who voted against Mm three years ago will haveas good cause to oppose Ms election then as he did in 1896. Every voter who opposed Bryan then will be against Mm next year, with the possible exception of the mugwumps, who are bound to oppose President McKinley on the expansion issue, and the silver champion will go down to defeat again. Thus it appears that Bryan’s nomination would be beneficial to the country.—Clevlamd Leader. Product of Republican Policies. The Lehi sugar factory started its season’s run yesterday, with unusually rich promise. The season’s product of sugar there will be greater than ever, because of the better quality of the beets and the satisfactory yield, and>

already the plans for next season contemplate operations a good deal more than double those of this season In magnitude and product The pioneer sugar factory is a great institution, sure enough; and an especially gratifying feature of it is it is a direct product of Republican policies—Salt Lake City Tribune. P-nwiou Agentn Didn’t Dictate. It is gratifying to know that the acta of tine national encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic with respect to penstonß was tempered by moderation and good sense, says the Cleveland Leader, and that disgruntled pension attorneys were not permitted to dictate what should be done. The resolutions adopted are far every way sensible. They simply ask that one of the rules under which the Commdssdoner of Pensions is operating be modified in a way suggested by the Committee on Pensions, and the request will be taken to the President by the committee, who will explain to him in person what they want. If the rule qanmot be modified as suggested, then the committee wfll ask Congress for additional legislation interpreting the section of the pension laws in question. There to no reason to doubt that the veterans will get the relief they ask for if It to witMn the power of the President to grant Ift McKinley la to Blame. A number of construction concerns have had to close their works temporarily because the iron and steel mills of the country are unable to keep up with their, orders. If It wasn’t for the present administration, the Chicago Post says, this never would have happened. The iron and steel mills wduld have more material on hand than they could conveniently dispose of, and, incidentally, most of them would be shut down. Thus it to plain that this man McKinley must be defeated at the next election. ’/ An Admirable Fit. j