Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-05-29
a PARTY OF AcHIEvEMENrs.

for rate regulation. In his message to
congress in December, 1904, he said
that in his judgment 'the most import
ant legislative act now needed as re-
CARDS the regulation of corporations is
an act to confer upon the interstate
commerce commission the power to re-
wise rates, the revised rate to go into
effect and to stay in effect unless and
until the court OF review reverses It,"
This power is conferred by the bill
which went through the house few
weeks ago, and which has just gone
through the senate in a somewhat
modified form.
The st. Louis Globe-Democrat, in a
we'll written editorial, gives some in
teresting points on the rate bill and
upon the record of the republican par
ty. 1t says:
"a few minutes before the bill was
brought up for final passage in the
senate Tillman testified that but for
the Presidents advocacy the measure
could never have had chance for
adoption. Everybody knows that this
statement is correct. The President
succeeded because he had his whole
party behind him. From the begin
ming of the movement the republican
party has championed rate regulation
constantly and intelligently. When
the Esch.Townsend bill passed the
house Of the late congress, year and
a quarter ago, the country saw the
first step taken toward placing rate
regulation in the statutes. Owing to
lack Of time the senate did not take up
the question in that congress. but it
has made amends in this one. The bill
which will soon be in the Presidents
hands, is a courageous and sane at
tempt to deal with this large issue in
way that will meet the peoples de-
mands for government control over
freight charges, and at the same time
protect the railroads from harmful as
sault. The interests of shippers, Of
railroads and of the people are, so far
as can be foreseen In advance Of the
actual operation of the law, intelligent
ly guarded.
When, in 1871, Clement L. Vallan-
digham, the copperhead chieftain of
the rebellion days, warned his party
against waging further futile war
against the legislation Of the proceed
ing decade, he paid striking tribute
to the wisdom and the patriotism Of
the republican party. That party is
still doing things which its enemies
are compelled to accept. During the
discussion Of the rate bill in the senate
the President and his party were as
sailed by the democrats, but In the end
all were compelled to fall into line in
support of the republican measure
doy TO Mo
on the national statute book, another
great exploit in practical legislation
will be inscribed to the republican par
TVS credit. This measure, which orig
mated with republican President,
was shaped by republicans, and passed
republican congress by virtually
unanimous vote. In the congressional
campaign this year it will make tens
of thousands oflvotes for the republi-
licans, particularly in the west. For
nearly half a century almost every
great measure. which has gone on the
national statute book has been put
there by the republican party, and
most of them have been opposed by
the democracy. In 1906, when the re-
publicans are about to celebrate the
fiftieth anniversary of the establish
ment of their party as national or
ganization, it ought to be an easy and
pleasant task to win sweeping re-
publican victory in the congressional
elections"
And this view is right. The people
are getting tired Of the undertaking
fad that for a time was popular. 1t is
becoming "a meaningless, cranky fad
now, and as the glamor Of novelty
wears away the real selfish motives Of
the Takers" are the more visible. The
republican party has always stood for
honesty in political life and has car
ried on its work steadfasuy. 1t has
not resorted to attempts to tear down
institutions, but has always tried to
build them up. This is the policy that
brings success, not the undertaking,
tearing-down policy.
-
/ !. I