The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-07-10

ageous and energetic enough to prose-
cute the offenders to conviction
The people, he said, are in favor OF
protecting the rights of the corpora
tions or labor organizations exactly az
they would protect the rights of an in
dividual, and are in favor of protect
ing the individual against organic
"The republican party and Thee.
.dore ROOSEVELT declared Mr.. Taft,
'are in favor of the just and equal
operation Of the law whether it be by
civi! suit, by injunction in equity or
by indictment at the bar of the Grim.
mai court against the man who vio-
lates another's rights, whether he be
rich or poor, corporation president or
wage Garner. They are against inn
munity from prosecution for violation
of law either on the ground that man
has money or industrial or political
power, or on the ground that he has
not either
He said the record of the republi-
can party shows the only substantial
steps which have really been taken
tempted by the irresponsible holders
of great wealth and corporate power
have been by the republican party, and
there is no more brilliant or successful
exponent of this policy than Theodore
Roosevelt. His declarations made be-
fore the election are being enforced
and being put into practice.
| The secretary said the democratic
leaders are now indignant that the re-
publican party in carrying out the
promises of its platform is putting into
practice the principles which they
with superb complacency claim are
really covered by democratic plat.
| form.'
%, Denis Talk, but Do Not Act.
/ He declared that. the democratic
leaders have been for years, declaring
against corporations, but have insti-
tuted no legislative steps in all this
| time to restrain the abuses. He said:
81 ask you to compare democratic
promises with republican performances.
Incidentally, ponder how much would
have been done if Mr.. Parker had been
elected and acted on his theory that the
common law supplied all that was neces-
sary for the suppression of trusts and
the abolition Of rebates. 1t may be
noted also that while Mr.. Bryan has
| been most emphatic and eloquent
in his declaration and denuncia-
ton Of trusts and abuse of corr
porate wealth, his suggested reme-
dies for their prompt suppression have
been very vague, unless indeed his pro-
posal that the government buy or con-
denim all interstate railways with their
immense mileage and maintain and
operate them is to be regarded as an
immediate, ready, practical and feasible
remedy. In view Of this it is not a
matter for any surprise that the great
have increased their profits and power
by evil and oppressive methods should
fear and dislike President Roosevelt
and his acts In the present more than
they do Mr.. Bryan and the indefinite
dangers with which he threatens them
in the future. Evils are to be sup
pressed by definite and practical meas.
ules-not by oratorv or denunciation. u
Mr.. Taft urged that the record of the
present congress. enumerating its i'm
portant enactments, CONFIRMS in the
most convincing way the claim ALWAYS
made for the republican party that ii
is an efficient party. ! or the accomplish.
ment of good, that it does things and
that it carries out its PROMISES
He expressed the hope that the Philip
pine tariff bill, now pending in the sen
ate, will be passed at the next session
Mr.. Taft, after explaining the in
c1eases In appropriations, declared that
in spite Of the increase there should be
] q pius Ol StU,uOU,UUU III the treasury
after all the expenditures have beer
made.
Within Constitutional Bounds.
"Another criticism that has beer
made said Mr.. Taft, "is that the
laws passed have greatly extended the
national power and have promoted tht
Capitalization of government at Wash
ington. In a sense this is true. 1t i:
PHI hot hn g
unconstitutional, but it is only true that
the national government has takeI
i upon itself the exercise of greater
tpowers, heretofore unused, but all with
in the Constitutional grant, in order t.
curb certain evils which were SO widely
extended across state lines as to MAKE
IT impossible for the states to suppress
them
He characterized the democratic par
ty as party of negation and inefficien
cy. Mr.. Taft argued against returnin!
democratic majority in the mex
house, saying in conclusion that no par
ty has ever taken more decisive step
. to restrain the abuses of irresponsible,
corporate wealth and power than the re
publican party. and that while the ad
ministration is stralning every nerve t
secure compliance with the laws, it il
prophesied that "the champion of thi
reform, the man who not by word. bu
by deed is president of the United
States, has shown his adherence to tn
principles, of equal privileges and law
to all and his courage in resisting al
, claims of. special immunity. whether TO
organized labor or capital, is to be re
buked and thwarted by the return t
congress of majority of the opposi
ton. Not while the American peopl
admire courage, consistency, high ideal
, and practical common sense, not Will
they believe in energy, honesty an,
) Americanism, not while they take
l man for what he is and what he doe
rather than for what he says, will thi
= prophecy be justified