The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-03-25

made to specific sworn testimony and disclosures backed by written docu- ment.
 suggestion made in the House i committee now considering the bills { to prevent corrupt practices, and pro- vide for publicity in relation to cam paign contributions. that Chairman Cortelyou and Taggart be summoned to testify as to the relative amounts of money gathered In the last national campaign by the Republicans and Democrats, from whom they were re- ceived, and for what purpose they were expended. was killed by the Re- publican members of that committee. The Democrats claimed to have the promise of MT. Taggart that he would apepar and answer any question they might be asked about the Democratic fund No one on the Republican side would make the same promise fer Mir Cortelyou. They were afraid to stand the test
 Alert Republicans who can read the signs of the times know that some answer must be made and some de- fense offered if the party is not to suffer defeat in the fall elections. It has been the common testimony of senators and representatives this win ter that never before have the people of the country scrutinized so careful ly the actions and votes of their rep- resentatives. The letterbags of con- gressmen are filled every day with communications from their constitu- ents giving advice and asking for in- formation on all of the large present 1 topics of public consideration. The insurance revelations have been print ed in every newspaper in the country and discussed in every cross-road tav- ern. The shameful facts are in the possession of the most lowly voters. Every reliable agency that reflects public opinion shows that the moral sense of the people has been outraged by the evidence that mas gone unchaI- l lenged.
 The condition that must be met are the subject of daily conference among prominent Republicans.
 Other embarrassing obstacles than the extortion from corporations of im- mense sums for campaign use, are to be overcome. Secretary Taft has been widely reported as saying: The vote on the Philippine tariff bill will be a test of the sincerity of the country" There Is every reason to believe that the majority of the people of this country are anxious to see Justice done to the Filipinos. Yet, at the be- hest of the beet sugar and tobacco in- | terests Republican senators smothered the measure of relief in the committee. Senator Brandegee of Connecticut has made it plain what influences moved him. The other have not been so | frank.
 The responsibility for defeating the popular will through any legislative proposal is usually difficult to fix. If the rate bill as finally passed proves a delusion and a snare, it will be hard to point the finger of responsibility at any one man. Fortunately, another condition exists as regards statehood If by any chance Oklahoma and the Indian Territory should fail to come
 into the Union as one State at this session of Congress, the fault would lie directly at the door of Speaker Cannon and his lieutenants in the House organization. They know this
 and when the test comes will recede
 from their present position and per
 nit the admission of the two terri ] tories
 These are only minor considerations, however, in the political outlook. To demonstrate that the Republican party IS not inexorably bound to the great corporations in return for cash paid in advance to carry elections. is the tough problem presented to the fore most men in the party.