New-York tribune., 1906-08-06
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
REPUBLICAN REFORMS.
They Led Rather Than Follozued
Public Opinion.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Allow few words in reply to your edi-
torial OF the 18th inst. You laud the deeds Of
the Republican party and point note
worthy achievements Let me remind you Of the
fact that the evils which combating
were tostered and encouraged by the two old
parties which have dominated for the last fifty
years Now, when the public patient and long
suffering. could endure IL no longer and rose and
demanded in a threatening manner that something
be done. the two old parties. defantly and re-
luctantly. have passed halfway measures 70 cor
rect slarins and mOnstrOus abuses. What the OLD
parties did they did under the threat of Political
oblivion and not from a sense of duty; the same
forces that permitted the evils TO come into exist
ence still in control OF the parties ana are only
waiting for a lull IN the storm 20 again take ad-
vantage OF the people. There is noN permanent re-
lief 10 be hoped for from the old parties. Governor
Hggins's defiant attitude insurance. the daily
ing Of Congress with meat inspection and pure food
laws. resulting in the passage Of measures full of
lOopholes through which the dishonest packers and
purveyors OF food products may escape; the in
nOcuOus railroad rate law. Deeds, Shall we praise
a robber for not robbing because we hold pistol
at his head? Shall continue those in power who
responsible for the immunities granted to law
breaking corporations and who have fattened there
on? What the Republican party and the Demo-
cratic party did recently in the way of reform was
vile conditions to exist Can we trust such parties?
Indeed all the reforms recently partly accomplished
novel by socialist caused the meat inspection re-
form against the wishes of Republican Congress-
the action of private society caused the passage
Of the pure food law, defective as II is, after
twenty-five years more of vain effort; the Sher-
man antitrust law was passed in 1880 ana now
just sixteen years after its passage II is beginning
10 be enforced. and then only because OF public
clamOr. Verify. the Republican party and its
counterpart under different name have record
70 be proud Of; and I have not mentioned the ac-
ceptance OF subsidies from railroads, insurance
companies and other purchasers OF legislation
AS for Mr.. Hearst, his personality or his am
btions do not enter into the campaign. Is IT a
crime for any not Democrat or a Republican
20 seek office? Are the Republicans and the Demo
Gratis the only fitted for office? Mr.. Hearst Is
every bit as sincere President Roosevelt and
Governor Higgins. both OF whom have broken many
a promise they made in stump speaking tours, and
he is good deal more consistent. He has ever
opposed graft and corruption in public ONCE ana
has not hesitated to oppose and to denounce cor
ruptionists of his political faith. His news
papers have been the means of instigatlng many
needed reforms
The Independence League does not seek to dis
credit honest effort for Improvement, but II Justly
condemns and holds up to scorn those politicians
who. to their places. have pretended to side
with the public when in reality they are in league
In closing, let that the Republicans ana
the Democrats have been in power so long that
they look upon the aspirations of other citizens for
Office something akin to lese majesty ana
Immediately dub any critic Of their actions as Il
demagogue.
Believe me, there is a radical change of thought
taking place in the minds of the whole american
people. OTTO HENSCHEL-
New York, Aug. a. 1906