The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1906-08-31

able conditions which previously existed:
but we must not forget that the vesting
of this enormous power In the hanoS OF
the commission appointed by the presl-
dent introduces a new danger. III an ap-
pointive board has the power TO NIX rates
and can, by the exercise OF that power
increase or decrease by hundreds OF NIL
lions of dollars the annual revenue OF
the railroads will the railroads feel that
they have a large pecuniary interest IN
the election of President friendly 10 tne
railroads? 1t has been demonstrated that
municipal corruption Is largely traceaDie
to the fact that franchise corporations de-
sire to control the city council and thus
| increase their dividends. If their man
ayers adopt the same policy; sendim hen I'm IN
government is likely to Increase as rapidly
throughout the country as the sentiment
in favor of municipal ownership has IN
creased in the cities.
Public Ownership.
/ have already reached the conclusion
that the railroads partake so much or the
nature Of the monopoly that they must u
managed by public officials In the inter-
est of the whole community in accordance
with the well defined theory that pubic
ownership Is necessary where competf-
ton is impossible I don't know that the
the country is ready for this change.
don't know that majority OF my own
party favors 1T, but 1 believe that an In,
creasing number of the members OF all
parties seen in public ownership the sure
remedy for Determinations between per-
sons and politics and for. the extor-
Tomato rates for the carrying OF freight
and passengers
Believing, however, that the operation
of all the railroads by the Federal gov
eminent would result In a CONTAMINATION,
which would all but obliterate state lines,
1 prefer to see only the trunk lines oper-
atated by the federal governmtn and the
local lines by the several state govern
ments. Some have opposed this dual
ownership as impracticable, but investiga-
ton in Europe has convinced me that IL
Is entirely practical.
The Democratic party is not the enemy
of property or of property rights, 1t is on
the contrary the best defender or both
because 1t defends human rights and hu-
man rights are the only foundation upon
rest securely. The Democratic party does
not menace a single dollar legitimately
accumulated; on the contrary 1t insists
upon the protection OF rich and poor anke
in the enjoyment of that which they have
honestly earned. The Democratic party
does not discourage thrift, but on the con-
trary stimulates each individual to the
highest endeavor by assuring him that he
will not be deprived of the fruits Of his
toll. If we can but repeal the laws which
enable men to reap where they have not
their overlooking barns the harvest that
belongs to others, no one will be able to
accumulate enough to make his fortune
dangerous to the country. Special privi-
lege and the use Of the taxing power for
private gain-these are the twin pillars
upon which plutocracy rests 70 take
away these supports and to elevate the
beneficiaries Of special legislation to the
path of honest effort ought to be the
purpose of our party
And who can suffer injury by just tax
alton, impartial laws and the applica-
ton of the Jeffersonian doctrine of equal
rights to all and special privileges to
none. Only those whose accommodations
are stained with dishonesty and whose
oil dc q AiS-
torted view of business, society and gov
eminent. Accommodating by conscious fraud
more money than they can proftably use
upon themselves, wisely distribute or
safely leave to their children, these de-
nounce as public enemies all who question
their methods or throw a light upon their
crimes.
PIutoeracy Abhorrent.
Plutocracy is abhorrent to a republic.
1t is more despotic than monarcy, more
selfish than bureaucracy. 1t preys upon
the nation in time of peace and conspires
against it in the hour of its calamity.
Constituencies, compassionless and de-
void of wisdom. 1t enervates its vOt-
aries while it .impOverishes its victims.
1t is already sapping the strength of the
nation. vulgariZing social life and making
a mockery of morals. The time is ripe for
its overthrow. Let us attack it boldly,
making our appeal to the awakened con-
science of the nation in the name of the
counting room which 1T has defiled, In
the name of business honor which IL has
sullied, in the name of the people whom
1t has oppressed, in the name of the
homes which IL has despoiled and in the
name of the religions upon which it has
placed the stigma of hypocracy
And if / may be permitted to suggest
battle hymn. / propose a stanza, but
slightly changed from one of the strongest
of the poems of Scotland's greatest Demo-
cratic bard:
Columbia, My Dear. My Native Soil.
Long may thy hardy sons of rustic toll
Be blest with health and peace and sweet
content,
And o. may heaven their simple lives pre-
vent
From Injuries. contagion, weak and vile:
Then, though unearned wealth to wicked
ness be lent
A virtuous populace may rise and stand.
wall of fire around their much loved
land.