Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 35, Number 102, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 August 1903 — POLITICAL COMMENT. [ARTICLE]

POLITICAL COMMENT.

A Free-Trade Plaint. The Springfield Republican is greatly exercised over the bulletins sent ont by the Bureau of Statistics, which has now been transferred from the Treasury* Department to the Department of Commerce and Labor. The Republican* does not attempt to impugn the accuracy or trtuh of the information sent out, its only objection being, apparently, that the bulletins help the cause of protection by chronicling the prosperous condition of the country, as shown in' both our foreign and home commerce. It says: "These government specials to the newspapers average two or three a week, and as high tariff preachments they are not excelled by anything The American Protec . tive Tariff League 'is doing." That is both high praise for the department and in itself the fullest possible vindication of the wisdom of the framers of the Dlngley law. The articles sent out once or twice a week by Mr. Austin are summaries for the most part of our foreign commerce and our internal trade. They are generally actual figures, with once In a while the figures for a single month estimated, but always very conservatively. Almost since the very beginning of the government it has been thought a matter of.wisdom to give to the country the fullest possible statistics concerning our trade, particularly our foreign trade. For the past half century have these figures been given out quite in detail, and there is not one but the

simply estimates founded upon certain conditions. On the contrary, these figures of trade and commerce are actual reports of accomplishment, and for. that reason cannot be considered in any way as promoting any fiscal policy. When our balance of trade is six hundred millions we are told so, and when It falls below four hundred millions we are told that We are simply told the truth in each and every case, no matter what it is or what brought it about or What will be it* effect, and every impartial, honest editor In the country, as well as every loyal reader, has nothing bat t.hanka to express to the department and to the statistician who furnishes ns with these interesting figures and facts concerning our industrial progress. Democratic Opportunities. Republicans believe In good money, on a gold basis. In the scheme of being unlike, it behooves the Democrats to indorse silver at the Bryan, ratio. Republicans believe in protection. Therefore let the Democracy howl for free trade. •Republicans believe in prosperity and have labored with success to secure this. The Democratic program, therefore, is to howl in favor of the good old hard times with Coxey armies and soup houses. Republicans make no secret of believing in the institution miscalled “imperialism,** and but partly described by the word “expansion.” They want the country to grow, and rejoice that it is growing.