The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1904-03-31
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
3 POLITICS aaa B
~ M==OF THE DAY =
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OF THE DAY

to prevent competition. 1t should fol-
low that Congress has power to re-
strict the charges by railroads to rea-
sonable rates. If the Republican ma
jority Of Congress should pass a bill
to fix maximum rates that could be
charged by railroads, and the admins
tration would enforce such law,
there would be something really worth
growing about
This merger decision can have No
effect on the excessive rates charged
by railroads, or the high prices charged
by the Industrial trusts. 1t might, If
President Roosevelt and his Attorney
General really wanted to cnrb the
trusts, for they are all conspirators
combined to restrain trade, and the
same general principle Of law must COW
er their actions. But even such ener-
getic work on the part Of the admin
istration would not be SO effective in
curbing the rapacity Of the industrial
trusts as to reduce the tariff to rev.
enue basis and place on the free list
those articles produced by the trusts
that they are now selling cheaper
abroad than here. But with our
'stand-pat'' administration, and with
a Republican Congress agreed to "let
well enough Alone" the trusts, COM
bines and corporations have complete
control Of the markets Of the necessi-
ties Of life.
Troubles of Their Own.
Since the death Of Senator Hanna
the Republican party is like ship
which has lost its steering gear and
is becoming a derelict on the political
sea. There are too many captains, all
intent on being In supreme command,
and only anxious for their own politi-
cal advancement at the expense Of
other would-be leaders. Senator Platt
is fighting Governor Odell in New
York, and their followers are sharpen
ing their knives for war to the death.
In Ohio the Foraker faction is trying
to keep its head above water, and the
Dick and Herrick people are engaged
in the desperate work Of forcing the
fire-alarm Senator to beg for mercy.
In Wisconsin Governor LaFOllette,
who is anxious to reform. the G. o. p.
of many of its vicious ways, is op-
posed by the stalwarts Of whom Presi-
dent ROosevelt's Postmaster General Is
the recognized leader. In Nebraska
the two United States Senators are at
loggerheads, with Dietrich and Rose
water, in conjunction to down Millard,
Webster and Summers, the latter be-
ing the United States District AttOr-
ney who has been prosecuting Senator
Dietrich, charging him with postofhce
grating.
In Illinois the Republican factions
are having vicious fight for the mas
terry, and so rabid are their followers
that they, so far, refuse to pay the
amount guaranteed to the Republican
National Committee for the expenses
of the National Convention
In Pennsylvania the late Postmaster
General. Charles Emory Smith, is mix
ing up in the postofflce grating scam
dal, and is dragging President Roose-
welt into the mess, who, he declares.
was under advice either foolish or
malign" when he referred the Tu!loch
charges for investigation. Patriot
Smith, whose skirts are not altogether
clear. denounces Conrad and Bona
parte, the special counsel appointed by
the President, and says they are dis
credited as Investigators and disgraced
as lawyers in his newspaper. the Phil
adelphia Press, in a triple-leaded edi-
torial headed, "A Matter Of Hot Air
and Cold Truth"
In West Virginia the Republican
| warning factions are unable to agree
and are going to Washington to state
their cases to the President and de-
| mand recognition. They are all for
the old flag and an appropriation"
with the Federal Offices thrown in for
good measure.
And so the list Of States might be
gone through. In nearly every one il
a factional fight, all intent on spoils,
but few caring for the future Of this
Grand Old Party unless they are the
faction to receive the loaves and fishes
The fight in the ranks of the Democ-
racy is as nothing to the contentious
of these grating patriots.
More Rottenness.
The Republican leaders are gradual
ly being caught in the net set for
grafters. Over one hundred Republi-
cans were included In the BristOw re-
port, a mapority Of whom will hardly
succeed In attaining a coat Of white
wash. When the Bristow report was
under discussion the Democrats made
motion for an investigation of the
whole Postoffice Department, which
was defeated by the Republicans, who
claimed there was nothing wrong ex-
cept in the First Assistant Postmaster
Generals department. 1t now appears,
from evidence produced, there is even
greater rottenness in the department
under the Second Assistant Postmaster
General. This was brought out in a
speech by Hon. Robert Baker, OF
Brooklyn. which will be found In the
Congressional Record of March 18 on
pages 36O3-4, in which he quotes from
the Milwaukee Free Press charges
against Hon. j.. W. BabcOck, of Wis
consin, of cOllusion to defraud the gov
ernment by padding the amount Of the
official weighing Of the mails. The
charges are supported by affidavits OF
those government employees who car
ried the mails, and makes very clear
case against Mr. BabcOck