The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-09-04
DEFINES DEM
OCRATIC rs
,,db at Madison Square Garden Last Night-Fieh.
Trusts. the Party's Slogan-Tariff Reform
Also an Issue.

a Jour through the Philippines has
0eePehed nee conviction that we shor15
Use NJ time IN announcing our pur1rosa
10 ueai with the FiliDinos as we daa1t
Win tne Cubans. Every consideration
'~ohnnlerclal and political, leads IN this
"onC4uSlon. such graunde as We may
ueou lot coal1ng stations or for a naval
vase VIII De gladly conceded nv tho
lilplnos, who simply desire an onror-
unity 10 work out their own desrinv
inspired by our example and aided nv
oul doVlce. In so far as our efforts
nave Deen directed toward the edrca-
ION Oh the t1liplnOS We have rendered
cAeLI d diStlnct service, but in educat-
ING Lhen We must recognize that We
are making colOnialism impossible. II
We INTENDED 10 hold them as subjects
We WOULD not dare 10 educate lkam
Dell government with ultimate inda-
pehdence must De assumed if we con-
universal education in the
AS soon as opportunity
onefS shall discuss the P%hilippina
question more at length and | shall
also REFER 70 English rule in India for
II throws light upon our own problem.
III the Philippines, but these subjects
must De reserved until can sDesk
upon that in detail.
IN several If the nations of Europe
the Legislative department of govern
nleht Is more quickly responsive to
puClC sentiment han is our congress.
IN england, for instance, where the
ministry is formed from the dominant
party, when an election is held upon
any important issue the government
proceeds to put into law the will of the
people expressed at the polls. While
our system IS superior in many respects
1t mas n defect, viz: That congress
does not e in regular session until
thirteen months after the election.
during his period there is uncertainty
long drawn out. which to the business
community is often more damaging
tnan a change Of policy promptly car
rled into effect. Would not the situation
be improved by a constitutional amend
ment converting the session of congress
within a few months after the election
and compelling the second session to
adJOurn several days before the fell
lowing election? Such a change would
not only serve legitimate business "a
terests and give the public the benefit
of that prompt relief through remedial
legislation, but it would protect the
people from the jobs that are usually
reserved for the short session which is
not held Until after the elections and
when many of the members feel less
responsibility because of defeat at the
polls.
ELECTION OF SENATORS BY Pop
ULAR VOTE.
| return more convinced than De-
fore Of the Importance of a change IN
the method Of election Of United
States senators. There is noticeable
everywhere 3 distinct movement to-
ward democracy in its brOadest sehse.
In all the countries which | have visit
ed there is a demand that the govern
ment be brought nearer to the people.
Throughout Europe, the movement
manifests itself in various forms. IN
the United States this trend toward
democracy has taken the form Of a
! growing demand for the election Oh
{ United State senators by a direct vote
of the people. It must be difficult to
Over-eStimate the strategic advantage
of this reform for since every bill re-
! ceiveS the sanction Of the senate as
we'll rs of the house of representatives
before it can become law, no lmpOltant
legislation of a national character Is
possible until the senate is brought In
harmony with the people.
am within the limits OF truth When
say that the senate has been 10"
wears the buiwark Of predatory wealth
; and tha it even now contains sore
men who owe their elections to favor
seeking corporations and are so sup-
servient to their masters as to prevent
needed legislation. The popular branch
of congress has four times declared
in favor Of this reform by a two
! thirds vote and more than tWo-th1rds
OF the states have demanded 1t, ana
vet the senate arrogantly and lmpu-
IDENTIFY blocks the way.
INCOME TAX.
The income tax. which some in our
country have denounced as a social
| istic attack upon wealth, has, / am
pleased to report, the endorsement CT
the most conservative countries II the
OLD world. 1t is a permanent part OF
the fiscal system Of most countries or
Throne and in many places it is a
graded fax the rate being highest upon
fine largest incomes. England has long
demanded upOn the income tax FOR a
! considerable portion OF her revenues
and an English commission is no" IN
! vestigating the proposition to change
from a uniform to a graded tax. l
have been absent too long to speak
with n authority on the pubic sen
timent in this country at this unle,
but I am 50 Convinced Of the justice o.
the income tax b a feel sure tnat Ihe
people will one or later dehahu Oh
amendment to the constitution WI en-
will specifically provide for an income
tax and thus make 1t posslo4e 1or tne
hurdens Of the federal government &c
be aprortioned anon ne Ieopie ~
rroportior to their ability to bea
+ham rs lite short Of a 6iSErn9 g t.
cur countrv that Thi,e 1t is able t
command the lives Of its c. liens n
time CT war, t caon>t. ev II IN n
most extreme eTerc ny c>mret 70
,xo.i.hv to beer its hare n, the *