Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 36, Number 114, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 September 1904 — JUDGE PARKER'S LETTER. [ARTICLE]

JUDGE PARKER'S LETTER.

Attacks Tmperialism. and Advocates Tariff Reform. ■< ■ , Arraignment of imperialism and executive power based on individual caprice, demand for tariff reform on prudent lines so as not to work revolution in existing conditions, unequivocal declaration in favor of Filipino Independence, the urging of the immediate curtailment of expenditures , and a return to economical administration, and promise of a sweeping investigation of all departments of the government in the event of party success -—these are the distinctive features of Alton Brooks Parker's formal letter accepting the Democratic nomination for the presidency. Judge Parker digresses from the Issues he regards as standing forth preeminent in the public mind to answer Rooseveltian epigram and interroga- j lion with judicially constructed statements on a few of the other issues in- , volved In the campaign. Characterizing the service pension order of the President as a usurpation of legislative power, he quotes from Mr. Roose- „ velt’s letter of acceptance, and accepts the challenge contained therein by declaring that if elected he will revoke the order. He adds, however, that, having done so, he will contribute his effort toward the enactment of an age - pension laxv by Congress. The language of the President’s letter, Judge ♦ Parker says, suggests the suspicion that the order was made to create an issue. _ The duty of proceeding with due diligence in the work of constructing tlie - Panama canal is imperative. Judge Parker declares, but he says the methods by which the executive acquired the canal route and rights are a source of regret to many. Another matter discussed briefly is American shipping, forty years of decadence being deplored, and the record of the Democratic party being pointed to as giving assurance that the work of restoration can be more wisely intrusted to it. The remedy, it is declared, does not lie in subsidies wrung from the taxpayers. Attention is directed also to the officers and men of the army and navy, both, it being declared, 'having suffered from the injection of personal and political in-, fluence. In a paragraph devote I to foreign relations, Judge Parker says the new conditions call for a management of foreign affairs the more circumspect in that the recent “American invasion” of markets in all parts of the world has excited the serious apprehension of all the great industrial peoples. It is essential, he believes, to adhere strictly to the traditional policy regarding friendship and entangling alliances, which means the “cultivation of peace instead of the glorification of man, and the minding of our own business in lieu of spectacular intermeddling with the affairs of other nations.”