The Washington times., 1902-07-09
Comment of Democratic
Leader on Republican
Speeches.
Mr.. R00SEVELT'S ADDRESS
Georgia Representative Says Admins
tration Was Inactive During Session
of Congress, When an Opportunity
Was Offered to Do Effective Work.

Judge Griggs. the chairman of the
Democratic Congressional campaign
committee. returned from Georgia
yesterday. went to the Democratic head
quarters, removed HIS linen coat ani
wide Panama hat, and without any pre-
liminaries settled down to the big task
he has undertaken OF electing a Demo-
cratic House OF Representatives this fail.
Il see the President has declared that
he is TO make war on trusts said Judge
Griggs. Evidently the Republicans in
tend to make the coming campaign one
huge joke. for l can imagine nothing so
amusing as that party assuming a posi-
conducted by the Republican party
against these monopolies would be moth
ing more than a sham battle. and, l have
too much confidence in the good judg-
ment and common sense Of the American
people to believe that they will be fooled
by this sort of campaign bluff.
"Six years the Republican party has
been in absolute power. 1t has controlled
the Senate. the House of Representa-
tives. and the Presidency; for seven
branches has been in session, yet not
one sentence. not one word, not one syl-
liable of legislation has been undertaken
for the suppression of the trusts.
The President Sallies Forth.
Now. four days after the adjournment
of Congress and five months before il IS
to meet again, with a great national
coming on In which the people
are to decide who are the friends of the
trusts, the President sallies forth, armed
cap-a-pie to assault the trusts. Mark
you. he did not send a message to Con-
greas but instead took occasion to go to
mento in that city.
Why this sudden awakening of the
party to the interests of the
people upon this great question of
trusts?
The Democratic party sent message
to Congress while that body was in ses-
sion, although we had no authority to |
10 so. We sent it from our caucus. and |
Upon this same question OF trusts. Ey- |
cry Democrat In the House voted against |
enacted which would curtail the power |
II these gigantic monopolies, and every |
Republican voted to go home without
aking any such action, leaving them to
Jlunder the people for a time longer
Democrats Wanted Action.
For how long? For just as long as
he Republican party remains in power
We voted to remain here, IL 1t should
,e all summer, for the purpose of enact
ng an antitrust law. But now, after
congress has adjourned. the President
uckles on his armor and starts out to
ght the trusts. 1t is all big bluff As
ush,' and l do not believe that anyone
viii be deceived by It,
"And what is the remedy which the
President suggests? Why, it is publicity.
is nothing more than moral
uasion, which would have about as
huNi tANNL upOI trust rs II WOull
ave upon highwayman. 1 never lMew
+ moral suasion causing robber to
esist from holding up his victim, and
cannot see where it would be any more
ffective with the trusts. What is need
is the strong arm of the law In both
ases.
I'VE have the Republican party on the
un upon this great question of trusts.
nd we propose to keep them running
nd see that they do not hide behind
ny such fiimsy shelter as the President
ut up in his Plttsburg speech
Judge Griggs expects to go to New
ork the latter part of this week to
onfer with the Democratic leaders in
lat city.