Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1906-01-17
JUNGLE JoE' cANNoN's STRAW MAN.

disturbed by the popular discussions
now going on. Uncle JOe'' has given
a newspaper Interview in which he
says: They say things are not now
like they were in the old days; that we
are becoming aristocrats; that there is
no longer honesty III legislative bodies;
that there is no ability at the bar; that
we are liable to become monarchy,
that some strong man is liable to rise
up and dominate everybody"
Uncle Joe" is simply building up a
straw man, doubtless because he pre-.
scribing rather than popular complaints
as they are actually made.
They do not say that there is no abil-
ity at the bar; because, manifestly,
there is great ability at the bar. They
do not say that we are liable 10 become
a monarchy, because the people would
not tolerate monarchy. They do not
say that We are becoming aristocrats;
because most of the people find 1t diff
cult in these days Of trusts TO make
both ends meet.
They do say, however, that the house
of representatives, over which Uncle
| Joe" presIdes has ceased TO be a repre-
! sentative body and is controlled by
coterie Of men-and controlled for the
Use and benefit of special interests.
They do say that many members of
the United States senate are nothing
more than the representatives of great
corporations, and that instead of pro-
'ecting the interests of the people they
are Jealous for the special advantage of
their corporation masters.
They do say that insurance magnates
have embeZzled the money Of their pol
lcyholders, and that the party to which
Uncle Joe" Cannon belongs-and to
which party he has so often referred as
1.-The party of God and morality
repeatedly been the beneficiary of Those
stolen funds.
They do say that among the preteni
tious leaders of the republican party.
and in the face of the facts clearly es
tablished before the insurance commit,
tee at New York, not one has had the
courage to rise in his place and insist
that his party organization shall restore
these i'll gotten gains to the policy hold
ers, to whom everyone knows they
belong.
They do say that in spite of the fact
that men of all political parties, and
men of no political party. are demand
ing railroad legislation, the corpora
tons are so thoroughly in control Of the
United States senate that even the
United States Is unable to persuade
his party colleagues to heed the popu,
lar appeal.
They do say that under the admins
tration of "Uncle Joe" Cannon's party
trusts have so multiplied that since
1896 more trusts have been created
than existed in all the history of the
country prior to that time.
They do say that with all their noise
and bombast republican leaders have
not given to the public protection from
the impositions of these greedy con-
Germs.
They do say that even now while the
members of the beef trust are undergo
ing trial in the city Of Chicago they are
piling higher and higher upon the peo-
have so long complained.
They do say that under the republi.
can administration few men have
come to mOnopolize the money and the
commerce of the country, and having
the United States senate securely in
their control they defy those who plead
for relief for the people.
They do say that under the republic
can administration men powerful in re-
publican party circles have been per-
mitted to escape prosecution for the
violation of law.
They do say that the republican party
has elected to the house of representa-
tlveS and to the United States senate
many men, unworthy men, some of
whom have been indicted, others of
whom have been exposed in various
ways, but none of whom have been call
ed upon by republican leaders TO sur
render the high commissions they hold.
They do say that "Uncle Joe" Can
mons party is So completely in control
of the trusts that it will give no heed to
the strong appeal made by the rank and
file of the party to the effect that the
shelter which the trusts find in the tar
if be removed.
They do say that there is something
rotten in the republican party's man
agement of the Panama canal, just as
there was something rotten in the re-
publican party's management of the
postoffice department, of the interior
department and of other branches of
the federal service.
They do say that the republican party