The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1904-10-13

l q
and members of the Congressional Con-
vention.
| GENTLEMEN AND FRIENDs:-The honor
of nomination for congress conferred
upon me at Creston, by the duly ac-
credited representatives of the Eighth
Iowa District Democracy is hereby ac-
knowledged. Coming as it does entire
ly unsolicited by me, this nomination is
assuredly a mark of the highest conf
dence and esteem in myself, and 80
take and interpret it. shall endeavor
at all times, in all places, and undo all
circumstances and influences to prove
worthy of the trust reposcd in me. |
shall be better able to execute this
trust, because am absolutely free and
unpledged to any selfish, corporate or
individual interest and owe no duty and
am under no obligation to any corpora
tion or individual, save that Of absolute
right and fairness to all classes inter-
ested in my candidacy.
In the campaign of 1904 many great
and interesting questions are before the
people for discussion, and ultimately for
settlement at the polls next November.
| Imperialism Is momentus question,
and is receiving large amount of at
tention. Extravaganza and waste run
riot in every department at Washington,
even the personality of President Roose-
welt is said to be an issue, and the tariff
that time honored bone of contention
between the great parties-is once more
to the fore.
The democratic position may best be
defined by a quotation. In his speech
of April 26, 1904, Senator Bacon stated
that Mr.. William L. Lent of the Murray
Hill Hotel, New York City, had repub-
lican friend in New York who recently
bought sewing maching of an export
agent at eighteen (s18 dollars, for
which he was asked fifty-fve 1850 dol
lars by the New York agent. The
machine was delivered aboard ship
and then sent back to this republican.
In fact all these issues are living, vital
questions.
But important though they seem to
be, these questions are overshadowed
by question affecting every citizen Of
these United States, and so important
and far-reaching in itsefects, that the
wonder is, it has been permitted to lie
dormant so long and not become great
national issue.
This question is, how shall the trans
portation service of the nation be regu-
lated and controlled so as to secure the
greatest efficiency at the least cost to
the carrier? Trade and commerce de-
pend on efficiency of service and just
rates. High rates ruin, moderate rates
encourage, but low rates promote and
build up business and trade. Hence it
| follows that when certain corporations
engaged in moving commodities from
one section of the country to another
discriminate and overcharge for such
service and are objects of general COM
plant from shippers and business men,
it seems to me, in order to promote the
general welfare and secure the best SER
vice for the public such common car
riers should be controlled and regulated
by appropriate legislation. If this leg
islation is not Forthcoming, the corpora
tions through the opportunity thus
afforded them are liable to impoverish
the country through constantly advanc-
ing rates. Every voter in the Eighth
District should ask himself the ques-
lions propounded by contemporary
writer to Congressman Hepburn. First
DO you believe that the making, or as
it is termed, the fixing of rates belongs
exclusively to the railroads? Second
If not, do you believe in the power of
congress to SO amend the Interstate
Commerce law as to enable it to correct
prevailing abuses?
AS voter | would say no to the first
question, for the simple reason that as
rates are being constantly advanced the
railroads cannot be trusted. According
to the best available information on the
subject in one year $4,000 the changes
in rating in official classification terri
tory north of the Ohio and east of the
Mississippi rivers from class to class
were 572 advances and six reductions.
This being the condition of affairs, no
power on earth can check further adj
vances and prevent in the end absolute
highway robbery, but the power of the
people expressed through congress.
The answer to the second question
occurs to mefin this manner. Congress
has the power to delegate it's authority,
this power may be delegated to com
mission which shall have power to cor
rect abuses pertaining to interstate
commerce.
That commission has been created
these twenty years or more, and is in