The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-06-10
he STANDS FIRM.
David OVermyer UphOIds the
Banner of Democracy.
Party FavOrs Making Military
Power Subordinate to Civil.
INFLUENCE OF PASS.
Free Transportation COrrupts
Everyone 1t Touches.
Makes Public Officials Apollo
gists for Corporations.

Over 100 members of the Jefferson
society gathered in their hall at III
West Sixth street last night to hear
David Overmyer expound a few of the
principles of Democracy. Mr.. Over
myer was in good voice and his inter
probation of the laws which govern
the Democratic party was enthusiast
tfcally received.
In his own words Mr.. Overmyer's 5
speech consisted principally of some
thoughts along the lines of genera!
Democratic principles-both general
principles and those pertaining to the
present Democratic situation" Dem :
ocracy," said Mr.. Overmyer, has per
manent and abiding principles These
principles have obtained for many
years and generations. may say
they had their origin in the very be-
ginning. They are an outgrowth of
human nature. They are here to
stay; and it is for this reason that the
Democratic party has survived GER
tain vicissitudes and the foIlies or
certain of its members. Other parties
have changed their principles from
time to time, as they deemed 1t nee
eSSary; they have switched. from this
to that, but there are certain laws IN
Democracy which are so true ana
durable that they cannot be changed
and they therefore mark it as su-
periOr to all others.
Foremost among these principles
is that which provides for the greatest
good to the greatest number. This is
the keynote of Democracy. Another
of its principles is strict obedience to
the majority. In close touch with
this there comes that which provides
that there shall be no taxation with =
out representation. This was the be-
lief of our fathers. 1t was foremost
.Tr.e-
war between Great Britain and this
country. But today there are 8.000,-
600 people out there across the Pacific
ocean whom we tax without allowing
represe ntation. They say that they
are not civilized and are therefore in
capable of governing themselves.
However, a man who is e capable of
gathering together enough property
for taxation is capable of self-govern-
ment. The principal feature of this
practice to be reckoned with, how
ever, is the fact that when you tax a
people without allowing representa-
tion you do so in direct violation OF
all the laws of liberty and strike at
the very principles of freedom. Taxa
tion should be for public purposes
only. Tariff should be levied for rev.
GENTLY to carry on the gOvernm ment
/ economically and not to further the
interests of individuals or private cor
pOrationS."
Mr.. Overmyer then spoke of the Nc
Kinley and Dingley bills and said that
they were inclined to favor certain
trusts and monOpOlies. He then took
up the question of finance. In regard
to this latter he said:
1T has been stated that money is the
blood of the body commercial. 1t af-
fects even the minutest of all the
branches of trade and commerce, and
it is no more right that the power to
issue that currency should be confined
to private interests and corporations
than it would be for you to impede the
circulation of a mans blood by tying
his legs with a piece of whipcord.'
Mr.. Overmyer then took up the rela-
tive value of civil and military powers.
/ He placed the former high above the
latter and said that the subordination
of military power to civil power was al
so one of the principles of Democracy.
! AS an illustration of how this rule has
! been violated under the present admin
| istration he cited the existing condi-
| tiOns in Colorado. He spoke in very
uncomplimentary terms of Governor
| Peabody and his followers and marked
| their action as bordering on anarchy.
Following this he spoke of the hmita-