The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1906-08-04

| ishable and the party has thus be-
come discredited and demoralized. /,
has some faithful newspapers in the
country districts. mostly weekly pub
LEGATIONS With small circuiations and
little influence. There are many that
care more for share of the county
printing and other contracts obtain
able from the republican machine
than Il fight for independence by eN-
posing its rescality and supporting its
opponents.
cratic paper here!" is cry often
heard in the cities and towns of the
State. The lack of an efficient DEM
ocratic State press and the harm done
the cause by those that pretend to
serve it cannot be disregarded in con-
sdering the influences that have dis
organized and disheartened the party.
The quarres in Tammany Hall. al
ways intent oil its own fortunes, car
ing little for the party or the rural
democratic machine. which is inde-
pendent of it in the matter of nomi-
nation for State officers, but absolute-
~ dependent upon it's support at cleo
ton, are delaying the democrats all
over the State from getting together,
There is now no rural machine. Gov
ernor Hill refuses to have the slight
est thing to do with building one up.
There is no one to get the district
organizations in order. give them add
vice and hold them for a State candi-
date. Where The primaries must be
held early, the county leaders natur-
ally want to know from competent
chieftain what is best to be done.
Being unguilded this year. they have
waited as long as they could to as
certain Tammany's choice for Govern
or. Many of tlcm have concluded
that it may be Mr.. Hearst, and this
is one reason why he is picking up
county delegations here and there
The men who really can control most
of these delegates are not FOR Hears,
democracy desires HIS nomination.
But it IL dangerous delay.
While Tammany sruaobles and the
country leaders are uncertain. Hears.
may get enough delegates to nominate
him or at least, enough 90 tie up tile
convention and cause Il serious bolt.
Good judges think he will get 200:
there are Il few who say between that
and $50. The total number Of dele
gates is $50. The great independent
rural democratic machine created by
Tildcn and perfected by Hill that used
to dominate Tammany in State con-
vcntions is indeed utterly demoralizcd.
The State machine can have no candi-
chine.
While democrats affiliated with or
Hearst his activity is not welcomed by
other elements in the party. The I'M
ion men are attracted by his radi-
calism. Most of them favor municipal
ownership and all want the eight hour
law. These principles do not appeal
to democrats generally up the State.
Municipal ownership of public util
titles does not interest the people at
large. because they do not regard it
a proper State issue. In many towns.
cities and villages the water works.
gas works, electric light pants and
even trolley roads are so we'll con-
Quoted and serve the public at such
reasonable rates that consumers arc
ownership. TO tax the people to buy
the plants and turn them over to poll
ticans to run is not q popular idea.
Besides the securities of these COM
panies are held by local investors and
townpeople generally. There may be
some communities that would like to
Gust Il water or gas company, but the
attitude taken by many is that NUM-
ciphl ownership nf such plants is Il
purely local question on watch each
locality now has Il right to vote as it
chooses. To make such ownership
obligatory by Il State law, they hold,
would be destructive of home rule.
Moreover, it is not at all certain that
the cost of water or lights would be
lcssened. In some places it would
certainly be largely increased.
The farmer cares nothing for muni-
cipal ownership and is deadly opposed
to the eight hour law. He is down ON
trusts and against corporations, hut
he does not want his hired man ~
girl to get Il notion that eight hours
is Il days work.
Already a good many farmers have
expressed their objections TO this idea
of the Hearst Independence League
and the village storekecpers sympa
thiZe With them. 1t is impossible &c
discover any symptoms of a great up
rising of the people in the counirs
for Mr. Hearst. His antitrust pro-
sramme is popular. but his otner prln-
ciples are not. He is getting the de>e'