Martinsburg statesman. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1869-1906, 1905-08-11

DemoCfatS tnat the t.thc 10 iiPS ici
the reforms they stand for. The cor
upton and graft in all departments
of the government demands change
Of administration, tor experience
proves that no part has been able to
cleanse its own skirts. President
Roosevelt may do all he can, but cor
ruption is too deep rooted in his party
for him to be able to accomplish such
a task Here and there he may sue
coed in stopping corruption in places
where it has been forced into the
light, only to find that still other ex-
posures show the canker still exists.
Every case of corruption exposed has
been through d sagreementa amongst
the thieves and not through official
investir cation. On all sides he is
surrounded by OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
who are interested in monopoly. The
tariff barons and the tilroad magma
ties have their Spokesman in both
House OF Congress- and even the Pres
iden,'s Cabinet is not clear Of them.
The minor officials and clerks of the
government see graft in high places
and very naturally some If them have
come to believe that as opportunity
offers they should maze the most Of
it.
This graft era can emily be overcome
by the PEG pie changing the party lin
control from time to time, for long
lease of power has ever bred extra
vagance. corruption and looting of
the Treasury by favored interests.
How powerless even the President is
t. overcome this corrupt disposition
O his party is shown by his surresd-
ering 10 the demands OF the leaeers
GU his expressed determination OF
calling Congress together at an early
date, which he has now been obliged
to postpone until within three weeks
of the regular time of meeting. He
may recommend to Congros that at
reform the taliff; that it give power to
the Interstate Commerce Commission
to regulate able railroad rates
that it ratify reciprocity treaties with
foreign countries; that it reduce the
the Philippine tariff; that it pass til
necessary legislation to curb the
trusts; but his words will be as the
Idle winds to tse corporation coutroll.
ed Cohsfess he has to deal with. Sim.
iliar recommendation by the Presi-
deut to the two last Congresses were
UNDECIDED by the Republican leaders.
1, is encouraging to Democrats
that all these reforms mentioned are
the policies that have been endorsed
by the Democracy in their platforms,
or has been the expressed policy Of
the Democratic mem 5ers Of Congress.
The Republican leaders point to this,
secretly at least, as sufficient reason
why they should not adopt such
policie . and the tariff benehciaries, the
trusts and the railroad corporations
are busy in backing up the position
OF the Republican Leaders. They talk
OF the President as trouble breed
er and are sprepared to spend mil
lions to defeat the legislation meu-
toned
Viii President Roosevelt stick 10
his determination to stand by the
people, or will his strenuousAess van
ish before the avowed purpose OF
many of the Republican leaders to
stand pat" that is do nothing of
| consequence to hurt their friends the
corporations.
II president Roosevelt is deterrIiu
ed enough to force his policy so often
dec ared upon Congress his policy
might split theiReputlican party..and
lead to the election OF a Dem
ocratic House of Representatives
next year and Democratic president
in 1908.
One OF the two things must hap.
zen, either the republican party must
be cleansed of grafters and give the
peopleythe retormssthey desire, or the
voters will turn the rascals out.