Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1903-09-14
watchful in Wisconsin; are they SC
watchful in congress?

our state and nation, bl l do decrv the
combination of wealth that grows at the
expense of the people, and lament the
influence Of wealth when nse,i to subvert
the rights of the people through the
bribery OF their representatives"
Here the Chronicle COZ respondent says
that "Governor La Toilette quoted from
the utterances of James A. Garfield
Judge Davis and Matt III. Carpenter to
show the danger that threatens the pub.
lie from corporation using its power to
influence legislation. lie cited the case
OF the interstate commerce law, by which
a commission of five members, appointed
by the president, was to have The power
to regulate railway charges in commodi
ties passing from one state to another"
Proceeding, according to the ChrL nj
cle's report, Governor La Toilette said:
ain framing this law took part. for l
was then in congress. 1t was SO greatly
amended, however, that in the decision
OF the supreme court it was rendered in
operative because the commissioners had
not the power to enforce their regulations.
1t could merely recommend. and in spite
of memorials to congress from influential
manufacturing industries; in spite OF the
recommendation of President Roosevelt,
congress has even in this year 1908 done
nothing to empower that commission to
enforce its demands on the railway
companies.
"Instead Of occupying the position Of a
public servant. the railroads throughout
the country have become public master.
And in theil power l see the gravest
menace. In the subservience Of state
legislatures b, hold the deepest degrade.
ton to which humanity can sink.
GAS fo. official and executive corrup.
ton. there is little Of that, and it is al
ways disclosed sooner or laterss The
danger point is in the lawmaking depart.
ment, which ever seems ready to listen to
the allurements of corporate power.
"Members OF legislatures are approach.
ed sometimes by direct bribery, some.
time by sidedoor, sometimes by prom
ises of favor and occasionally by intimi-
dations. They are approached, however,
and they yield"
The Chronicle correspondent Gays that
the governor arraigned the railway lobby
ia the capital Of his own state for sub
verting the rights OF the people and for
blocking legislation that would have con.
served the rights of the public in opposi.
ton to those of centralized corporate
power. Although charging the governor
with having made partisan speech, the
Chronicle correspondent says: "He
scored his own party with having broken
pledges made to the people in two con-
secutive platforms, the chief plank Of
which was promise Of further legisla-
ton for the equalization OF taxes"
According to this Chronicle correspond
ent, Governor La Toilette said:
'If the railway companies paid their
taxes in proportion to those paid by in
dividuas the state would have 81 100000
more in its treasury every year. 1t is
true that such law has been passed,
but of what avail is it? The measure
meant to hinder the railway companies
from advancing their rates to patrons for
meeting any increase in taxation was
defeated in the legislature and 80 the first
law is in reality imperative.
Il maintain that legislatures are de.
bauched and prosttuted by these power.
full corporations, with their expert
lobbyists.
81 am pleading, not for myself, but
for good, clean government; not for my.
self, but for the party which has pledged
itself to the people and stands convicted
OF gross neglect Of its pledges. For my
part, whether am in public or in pri.
vite life, shall always strive to obtain
for my native state an honest govern
ment
II long for the time when legislatures
shall represent their constituents and
not corporations. hope that the day
will come when members cannot be de-
bauched by lobbyists to vote for bills in
the interest OF corporations and to the
disadvantage Of the people,"
After thorough review Of attempted
legislation during his former admins.
tration the government discussed his two
theories OF equalization of taxation and
direct nomination. He did not ask any.
thing for himself. He said nothing Of
his hopes and desires for himself. He
maintained that it was the duty OF the
people to see that every corporation
should be taxed equally with individuals
and that candidates, from governor to
coroner, should be nominated by direct
vote and not through caucuses and dele
gates to convention.
Nominate your own men," he said in
closing. "You think it a privilege to
cast ballot on election day, but that
right is only half Of your due. You
should choose the man for whom you
cast the ballot. 1t is only thus that good
government can be restored and the citi-