The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1904-11-06

the President has not met the Issue
created since the platforms were adopted,
namely:
Can the trusts purchase the cleo
ti0ns
Whatever results may follow from his
address. the campaign fund cannot be in
terfered with. 1t has been raised. My
first utterance On the subject was deliv-
cred on October "a, in which / said:
Many years have passed since my ac-
tive participation in politics. In the mean
time a startling change has taken place
in the method OF conducting campaigns
a change, not for the better, but for the
worse-a change that has introduced de-
basing and corrupt methods, which threat
en- the integrity Of our Government. leav-
Ing 1t, perhaps. a Republic in form. but
not a Republic in substance: no longer a
Government Of the people, by the people,
for the people. but a Government whose
officers are practically chosen by a hand
ful Of corporate managers. who levy up
on the assets Of stockholders. whom they
represent. such sums of money as they
deem requisite to place the conduct Of
the Government in such hands as they
consider best for their private interests"
Il make no complaint. nor should COM
plant be made of an individual who con-
tributes toward the many legitimate ex-
penses OF a great campaign. The capital
ist. as an Individual. has as much right
to contribute to such purposes and in pro-
portion to his means as has his less
wealthy fellow-citizen. Whatever he may
do, based on a patriotic desire to help
elect the candidates Of that party. which
1t seems to him will best serve the in
terests OF the country, should be encour-
aged
ut il but a little while since the body
of the people at large provided tho legiti-
mate expenses of a campaign. Then farm
er and lawyer. doctor and mechanic. day
laborer and banker, each contributed
something toward the erection Of banners.
the circulation Of literature hi the ex-
penses of public meetings. and each con-
tributor VAS a better citizen for it. It
stimulated his patriotism and contribu-
tons were devoted to the legitimate ad-
vancement Of the cause. not made for the
deliberate corruption Of masses Of electors.
DESIRE FOR GAIN NOW
BRINGS OUT CONTRIBUTIONS.
Gradually and effectively. but surely
not permanently. has all this been
changed. Some OF the enterprises which
nave uiiuuly thf1ved through favoritfsm.
and winch nave been permitted by statute.
ana secretly levy tribute on the people
nave in the course OF time become 80 rich
strong that they can and do con-
tribute vast sums when 1t Is made clear
that 1t will be an advantage to them. and
they contribute upon the promise. direct
OF implied, mat they snail Do permitted
to continue to tax the people for their own
benefit.
Upon such contributions have
not been f~nfreauently made in such large
measure as to induce and procure coloni-
zation, repeating and bribery in doubtful
st.te.
-.
known to local leaders as .ioaters.' a class
40 num.ro,,. that na,tv conv,s.s-. aIi,t
to them in their canvas books a separate
column headed with that name. This con-
dition is recognized by party workers. To-
cal State and national. They are no longer
shocked by it.
at has become so prevalent that they
are becoming hardened to it.
at sometimes wonder where it is 70 end.
but under the stress OF a campaign thew
postpone consideration until the next cleo.
ton. I am persuaded that the time tn be-
gin the fight apatns. those vho vo,,ia
control the results of election confess, t,r
their nrivate corporate intere.t, .h,,,,.
begin now and continue until IN. .vi, 8.
checked
TRUSTS NOW ANXIOUS TO