Martinsburg statesman. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1869-1906, 1906-01-05

During the year of 1906 those who
live it through will see waged in
tins country one OF the most important
political battles that has been
witnessed in many years. Corporate
Interests that have been controlling
and debating the course of legislation
is going to have more and stranger OPP
position than ever before. For years
railroads and other corporate interests
have been backing the Republican
party and keeping it i'll power, but
thanks TO a few leaders lin the party
among whom we may name President
Roosevelt himself, who have come out
in opposition to money power, the bri-
gands are not going to have such clear
sailing In the candidacy of Senators b.
Elklns for reelection the people of West
Virginia will be called to the front
ranks in this great battle. Sen. Elkins
is the very champion of the money
West Virginia to say whether the rail
roads and other corporations are to
rule or whether the people will le,p
the government in their own
hands. The party lash will be APP
piled with all possible viSor and
the Office holding bosses will be
around with Doodle to burn.
Already the order has been given
Quito the effect that everything must
be sacrificed 10 save the members of
the legislature named as Elkins men.
The issue between the corporation and
the people will be clearly drawn and
the usual implement of warfare used by
the corro rations will tie in evidence.
The machine may try to whip
the Republicans into line but they
cannot make ii party measure. There
are numbers of good loyal Republi-
/ cans who cannot and will not yield TO
| OPPORTUNITIES of the bosses pleading
! in the interest of their own jobs.
| Senator Eikins has built up mighty
machine not only by he Federal and
state patronage which has for years
been at his command but also by his
! great financial and industrial interests
in the state and that machine will be
omnipresent if not all powerful in this
contest. 1t remains for the sovereign PEG
pie to say whether ornot they will yield
to this pressure and submit TO the slav-
cry of the corporations or whether they
will rise up in their might and restore
the government to the hands of their
own representatives. Republican who
voted for President Roosevelt and who
have confidence in the President may
with consistency vote against the ma
chine in this coming election. The
President has thrown down the gaunt-
let to the corporations and Senator Ell
kins has declared himself as opposed
to the President,
Governor Cummins, of Iowa, who
has been elected TO the United States
Senate, true aud earnest Republican
in a speech before the Western Fruit
Jobbers' Association at Des Moines
last Friday depicted Congress as do
nothing body, the Doliyer Rate bill
supposedly an administration measure
he branded as ina dequatc for the needs
of the hour and stephen b. Elkins, of
West Virginia, chairman Of the Senate
Interstate CCmmCrce Committee, as
faithless ; public servant and
the tool ofFthe railway corporations.
Governor:Cummins has little hope
that any effective rate regulation bill
will soon ,beccme law. Said he
"Washington is along way off. A
perfect cyclone is needed to disturb the
c)mposue.of that reflective commune
/ y. | impeach the honesty Of no man
but when | remember that the virture
and vigor of the Interstate Commerce
Commission ceased in 1897 ard since
then every year, in and out of season,
the commission and its allies have been
pleading forIlegislation TO correct GER
tain evils, and when | remember that
during theLnine years Congress has
met in DecemberOf each year and has
forgotten, if it,has ever heard. these
appeals, / marvel at the loyalty that
/ exists. If .membe Of Congress are a;
deaf on the judgment day tley will nCt
be apt to hear "Gabrieps trumpet
Governor Cummins related vividly