The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-06-14
OPPOSITION TO ROOSEVELT.


NV ~ DCACat 4AssAs
New York Independent
While reports from the Western cities
through which Mr. Roosevelt is passing
bear witness to his immense popularity.
evidence OF desire on the part OF offended
Eastern capitalists to prevent his nomi-
nation in 1904 continues to be discussed in
the daily press. Correspondents from Wash
ington and the northern central States visit
New York TO inquire about the attitude Of
those interests whose hostility is said to
have been aroused by the Presidents course
with respect to the coal strike and the
railroad merger. They assert that proof
of this hostility has been found. 1t is given
to them In the statements OF financiers who
do not permit their names to be published.
1t is seen. the investigators say, in the ut
terances OF certain journals. But this oppo-
sition to- the President is not shown openly:
1t is disguised, or manifested In subterra-
mean ways.
Undoubtedly there are powerful capital
lists who have been profoundly disturbed
by the Presidents acts and who would pre-
fer the nomination Of some other Repub-
lican whose views accord with their own.
But we have seen no sign that they are
seeking persistently and with all the power
at their command to defeat his nomination.
We suppose that some OF them do grun-
BILE over their own discontinue, and do
enjoy putting a spoke in the Presidents
wheel whenever this can be done; but most
of them well know that their avowed and
open hostility would merely endear him
to the public.
The very acts which they resent have
been the most popular achievements OF his
administration: The policy which they
commended him to the people. We refer,
OF course. TO his successful attempt to end
the great coal strike and to his enforce
ment OF the Sherman act against the North
ern Securities railway merger. We do not
believe that in either OF these cases. in
the prosecution Of the combined beef COM
panies, his motive was political. With re-
spect TO the coal strike he periodically
sought to relieve an intolerable and men,
acing situation by promoting arbitration. In
| the railroad case he responded TO the ap-
peals of citizens and States for the enforce
ment OF law that had clearly been vio-
lated. But while his motive was not polit-
ical in personal sense, the shrewdest poll
| tician bent upon personal gain could have
done nothing that would have yielded
greater results in popular COMMUNICATION
| and support Those who venture to de-
| nounce these acts must be content to stand
| with an extremely small minority of Amer
| lean voters. Their influence can be exerted
| In conventions and at elections only to In
crease the majority of the man who did the
work.
| 1t is absurd to suppose that sane Repub-
| iican capitalists offended by the Presidents
| coal strike and trust policy could be in
i duced to support the Democratic ticket.
| Democratic success would mean a more Sc
we're enforcement OF the Sherman act and q
| radical use or the powers of inquiry now
vested in the Bureau OF Corporations II
would mean determined attempt to cut
| ucts in which some of these dissatisfied
men are deeply interested No Democrat
who can be nominated for the presidency
election would surely prevent an assimila-
ton of all their undigested securitiese-
War upon the Sherman act i'm the coun-
| ellis or the Republican party, or a move
ment there for the repeal of 1t. must en-
| counter the opposition of the partys es-
tablished and proclaimed policy. During
| and other prominent Republicans asked for
| popular support on the ground that this
law had been proposed and enacted, and
was then being enforced vigorously by
| Republicans. The statute and Mr.. Roose-
| velt's prosecutions under IL are highly
valued Republican assets. To discredit the
CREDIBLE folly. The statute is one Of great
and general popularity. A vast majority
of the people think that II ought TO be
used against hundreds Of combinations
| which ii has never touched.
| We are not saying that IL IL a perfect
In ff s tSs o ahns oqsht to be
| whom We have been speaking could not get
| rid of IL by preventing the nomination OF
| Mr.. Roosevelt or Dy electlng Democratic
President. even IL either OF these things
were possible in 1904 They might convince
the public that the law ought to be modi-
fed, IL they should set out 10 do this In an
open and earnest fashion. Under the re-
cent decision the acquisition OF power TO
suppress competition between two parallel
lines OF railroad Is unlawful, even IL the
power has not been exercised IL Is un-
lawful 10 use such power even for the good
of the public With respect TO railroads,
at least, only unreasonable restraint OF
trade ard oppressive or otherwise inturi-
Gus suppression OF competition should be
forbidden. IL such change should be
made the people would reasonably insist
that IL be accompanied by an increase OF
the Interstatc-commerce Commission s
power. The railroad capitalists who dis
like the statute as IL stances should make
an open and Straightforward campaign
| with the public and before Congress for the
! amendment have Indicated Ihey
| should present their case with all ths
available force of argument and economic
illustration. There is much opposition &c
be overcome. but the American people like
| courageous. frank and honest appeal tc
their common sense. Much more can be
accomplished by such a campaign thar
by n vain attempt TO prevent the renomi'
nation Of Mr. Roosevelt by working in int