Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 35, Number 18, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 October 1902 — Political Comment. [ARTICLE]

Political Comment.

Issues Between the Parties. The issues between the parties are as sharply defined as they were in 1900. The Democratic party is committed to the same policies, and the leaders are urging them with more ve-_ hemence and cunning .than in 1900. However, Mr. Cleveland, Mr. Hill and ether conservative Democrats may differ from Mr. Bryan an l Mr. Johnson, they all agree in demanding a reversal of our present tariff policy and the adoption of a tariff for revenue only. This Is particularly an issue In the congressional campaign, and in the campaign text book issued by authority of the Democratic congressional committee 126 pages are given to assaults on the tariff and to arguments in favor of what the committee, dropping all disguise, calls free trade. Under the head of “Imperialism,” 118 pages In the same text book are given to misrepresentation of President Roosevelt’s Philippine policy, to slanders of our army, and to arguments in favor of abandoning the islands. The compiler of the book goes, ‘‘by authority of the committee,” as far in malicious falsehood and as low In slander as did Senators Carmack, Rawlins and Tillman in the Senate last winter. The Democratic party makes an Issue of the Philippine war, and stands in opposition to every feature of Republican policy. David B. Hill, in speeches delivered in the last two weeks, has gone further than Mr. Bryan in advocacy of socialistic doctrines. In bidding for

the socialistic and populistic vote, he advocated confiscation of the coal mines. -The coal strike iii the anthracite regions was settled by President Roosevelt in accordance with law and the principles of fairness, but Mr. Hill's declaration of a socialistic principle to be applied to a like crisis is an issue between the parties. ♦ In fact, the Republican party, by the action of Ulr. Hill and others, stands more directly facing the Issued of Populism than in 1900. The Republican party is opposed in the congressional and State campaigns on its Philippine policy, on the tariff, on its Cuban policy, and most particularly are the Democratic leaders opposed to the President’s course in attempting to control the trusts. There are many Issues between the parties, and “the time-honored, timetested principles of the Republican party,” that have given such prestige and prosperity to the nation, are being .opposed violently and persistently,- In no campaign since the copperhead campaign of 1564 have Republiean policies been assailed with such malevolence this congressional campaign of 1002.—Chicago Inter Ocean. One Thing at a Time. The decision reached by the President and the leading Republican Senators with whom he has conferred, not to attempt tariff revision at tbe next session of Congress is the only one expedient at this time. The industrial situation in this country is not an abstract mathematical problem to be solved upon general principles. In the great field of American prosperity the wheat and the tares are so intermingled that to adopt any sweeping method for removing tbe tares is to run great risk of destroying the wheat as welL The question Is: Which do the people desire the more—that the abuses of the trusts be curbed or that tbe Incidental hardships of the tariff be removed? To that question sober and practical men have bnt one answer. Protection benefits millions who neither gain nor lose by the trusts. Therefore let the tariff alone and attend to the trusts. The first step toward curbing trust evils Is plainly Indicated by the facts and practically agreed upon by all concerned. It la that these great corpora tiona shall give a wholesome publicity to their doings. That step caa Injure no legitimate enterprise, and will be opposed by no man whose Intentions are really honest. ,

When that step is takA—when the results of publicity are seen—then other steps may be necessary. One of these steps may have to be a revision of the tariff. But to insist upon taking that possible step now Is both unnecessary and reckless. For we cannot, without endangering prosperity, curb the trusts and revise the tariff at the same time. Our Industrial situation is too complex thus to be dealt w,ith on all skies at once. To taka up both these questions would call In question the whole foundation upon which our industrial system is built. All lines of Industry would halt until the uncertainty' as to their future should be ended. The mill would work upon positive orders only. The merchant would buy only what he felt sure he could sell at onee. Consumers would purchase for immediate needs only. Producers would have to wait nntli the terms upon which they should ■hereafter produce were determined. And such conditions are what we call “hard times.” When confronted witiusuch a situation, In which the welfare of all the people Is bound up, it evidently behooves the nation and its chosen leaders to move cautiously. Complete success in the whole task can be achieved only by doing one thing at a time.— Chicago Inter Ocean. Agree with Henderson. Speaker Henderson has declined a renomination to Congress because he is not in full sympathy with all the Republicans of his district regarding the

trusts and their relation to the tariff law. He does not believe that the trusts can be curbed or the people benefited by free trade in whole or in part. The great majority of the Republican Party Is In complete accord with Mr. Henderson’s views, and it is to be hoped that he will not insist upon depriving the country of his services because of a little disaffection. Teal or fancied. The present tariff law has been the chief factor in bringing about the country’s present prosperity; why disturb It? —Los Angeles Herald. Gool Times for All. Wages are higher and interest on money is lower than ever before in this or any other country, and there is more work than wage-earners. It is not possible for such a condition to exist without good times for people in all callings. —Poplar Bluff (Mo.) Republican. Roosevelt’s Great Work. As the politicians see it. President Roosevelt should have remained perfectly Indifferent, smiled and talked about the success of the party, Just as If there had been no trouble in the anthracite region and no shivering in New York.—Dallas (Texas) News. President Roosevelt has succeeded. Beset on all sides by discouragement, treated with marked disrespect by the operators* and uncertain of his ground at the best, he v has yet labored faithfully and with good effect to end the great crisis. He has performed a great public service which should earn him the respect of the American people without regard to partisan affiliations. —St Louis Post-Dispatch. Roosevelt completes the trinity of the President who do things. His act of Oct. 3, 1902, stands with the act of Jan. 1, 1863, and the act of July 4, 1776. When a man has done a magnificent thing, it is dlfllcult not to be extravagant in thanking him for his deed. It Is true that Theodore Roosevelt has merely done his duty, but there are few men capable of doing their duty in a supreme moment.—St Paul Dispatch. Irrespective of party, the people of tbe United States are commending President Roosevelt for the decisive step by which—not in the interest of any class, bnt In tbe Interests of all classes—be has contributed to the amicable adjustment of what by many la considered the most formidable strife between espial and labor that has ever menaced the peace and comfort of the people of tbe United State*.—Milwaukee Evening Wisconsin.