The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-10-09
GARV|N STATES
HIS POSITION
UNEQU|V0CALLY

Former Governor l.. +. c. Garvin sent
to the notification committee OF the Dem
ocratc convention held for the Second
district last week his letter accepting the
domination. The text Of the letter fol-
low:
Gentlemen: In response to your noti-
ficauon, / would say:
For II years one party has had undis-
puted control In all departments OF the
national government. II is during this
period that the trusts have risen 10 a
power previously undreamed OF.
The most powerful OF these monopo-
lies. which control food, fuel, light and
other necessaries OF life. put UP the price
of what they sell 10 American consumers,
and. at the same time put down. almost
at will, the prices OF the material they
buy from American producers.
This condition OF things Is intolerable
Already 1t has reduced laborers, who
constitute majority OF our citizens, 10
the point OF making but a bare living.
Within very few years, the middle class
also will be paying all OF it's possible saw
ings TO tho trust magnates.
"To suppose that the Republican or
ganization, which IL financed by tho In
surance companies, the railroads ana the
trusts will do anything effective towards
the destruction OF these great monopolies
is the height Of folly.
"ln the present healthy state OF the
public mind enraged as IL Is at being
robbed systematically on every hand, the
Democratic party appears as tho only
means OF relief.
AT the session just closed Il was mani
fest that the Democratic minority saved
the remnant OF reform. The champion of
the rate bill In the senate was "a Demo-
crat, the Republican Leaders having re-
fused 10 be responsible for It's support In
that body. Indeed. this and the other con-
gressional efforts 10 restrain the trusts
were originated by Democrats, had been
advocated In Democratic platforms, and
A.aA hky M al mi naf
public sentiment.
1.-The Republican president saw the ne
cessity OF yielding 70 this demand, and,
when supported unitediy by the Demo
cratic minority, even the traitors In the
senate felt themselves obliged to conceda
something, and to make At least pre-
tense OF reform.
''If Democratic minority has been
able 10 effect so much. how far greater
relief can be given TO the people by a
Democratic majority in the next house OF
representatives at Washington. 1t Will
not merely tinker with restrictive laws,
which viii have no perceptible effect in
preventing the exploitation OF the people
by the trusts. but II will go 10 the root
OF the matter with view 10 the utter
destruction or the monopoly which under
lies every successful trust 1t Will vote
TO remove such duties upon imports as
enable the trusts 70 sell their products
abroad at lower prices than they charge
for the same articles when sold at home.
But, It may be asked, III elected TO
congress. what will you personally at
tempt in the interest OF the people?
II will endeavor TO establish genuine
reciprocity to the extent OF freeing the
following articles from all import duties
when imported from any country which
admits free OF duty identical articles be-
ing products OF the United States, 10
wit: Coal iron, wool, lumber and wool
pulp, cattle and hides.
II will work for the election of United
States senators by the people.
mill M o.
ton, by attempting TO pass law pre-
serving intact the right OF trial by jury,
and forbidding arbitrary imprisonment
for an offense, called contempt or court,
but not committed in the presence OF the
court.
'T will favor the extension or the eight
hour law "a far and az fast as possible.
II will introduce an amendment TO the
federal constitution providing that future
specific amendments TO that instrument
may be proposed by petitions signed by
not exceeding one million voters, every
such proposition 10 be submitted TO the
people for acceptance or rejection at the
congressional election next succeeding
the fling OF the petitions.
IT will oppose the present rules or tho
house. which make the speaker dictator
and prevent Consideration OF the meas
ureE most desired by the people.
"An experience or Is years In the state
Legislature has taught me that REFORMS
usually advance slowly and that laws are
enacted by compromise. Nevertheless.
during that period. have witnessed the
passage OF the following measures:
"A l0-hour law; the abolition OF
property qualification upon foreign-born
citizens; the removal OF the registry tax
as a prerequisite OF voting; secret bal
lot law; a labor bureau; weekly pay
plurality elections; factory In
spection; abolition OF the May session or
the general assembly; increase OF pay
ment to members OF the legislature from
one dollar per day to five dollars; bs-hour
law AL this in the face OF prolonged
and bitter opposition from the party In
power.
''In accepting the Democratic nomina-
ton for congress from the Second district
of Rhode Island, / pledge myself, if
elected, to serve the interests of my con- |
stituents, and the whole people of the |
United states, as faithfully and energetic
ally as lies in my power.
s'Appreciating highly the honor con-
fered and the confidence shown me, re-
main, yours very truly,
"LUCIUS +. G.. GARVIN.