The Washington herald., 1907-04-08
FIGHT ON PRIMARIES
Virginia Politician Sees OPP
position to System.
TEXT OF THOMAS STATEMENT
Claimed Thomas F. Ryan and -Four
Railroad Attorneys with Chairman
sway state Democratic Executive
COmmitsee-ResuIt of Corporate
Control Said TO BE In Taxation.

Richmond Va. April THE statement
issued by State Senator A. F. Thomas
attacking the alleged control by corpora
lions Of the State Democratic executive
committee has created a sensation In
political circles. The statement Of Sen
ator Thomas, who is in avowed opposi-
ton to United States Senator Daniel, fol-
lows:
''The Democratic executive committee
of the State is appointed by the State
chairman. II consists of ten members,
chief of whom is Thomas F. Ryan. who
with four railroad attorneys. two Of
whom are chief counsel for two of the
trunk lines traversing the State. forms
half Of this committee It is patent that
they. with the aid Of the chairman. can
dominate the organize ton, and WELD a
subtle. though powerful, influence upon
party policies. The power Of this com
mittee 10 make or mar political fortunes
Is none the less dangerous because II is
not always apparent 10 all It's approval
OF man or policy would greatly facili-
tate matters, while its disapproval would
render doubly difficult the task Of get
ting cause before the people.
Opposition 90 Primary.
The primary makes their task doubly
difficult. and. if it is to be destroyed. We
naturally expect the railroads and their
allies to constitute the main forces in
| this crusade against the right of the peo-
pie to govern themselves There is no
doubt Of the existence OF strong oppo-
sitiOn TO retaining the primary. and it
is probable Ahat open war on It would
already have been made but for the fear
that it would arouse the people, risk
they do not wish TO incur. because they
do not feel sure Of the point al which the
people would stop.
The people have been quietly sleeping
and the railroads have b,en as quietly
governing, with the result that your tax
laws, I'm many cases, have been changed
/ 10 system Of arbitrary exactions and
selling of privileges 10 the business inter-
J ests. professions. and individuals of the
State thus getting van the revenue pos
[ sibIe in this way The railroads. in the
meantime. have been steadily putting in
/ their strong boxes millions Of dollars that
justly belong 20 the people
There are in this State $1,000 children
/ between the ages Of ten and fourteen
years who can neither read nor write.
/ We have only one school for educating
women Tor teachers. and If its total en-
rollment were turned out each year fully
equipped for teaching il would not fur
nlsh half the new teachers needed. For
many years 20 come we must rely largely
/ upon the good women OF the State for
teachers. and il is imperative that We
3 ma .srrr
schools % help them equip themselves for
/ their vocations.
We nave "A large public debt. incurred
largely in helping railroads. on which we
/ pay annually an interest charge Of some
/ thing like $4,000 or nearly 80 cents for
each man, woman. and child in the State.
/ The revision Of our tax system. relieving
those who now pay too much, the up
I building OF the schools, the early retire
meut of our State debt. might all be ac-
/ compiished without adding any addi-
tlonal burdens 10 those who now pay
/ their fair share of taxes. If only the
/ public service corporations Of the State
could be compelled TO pay the taxes
/ which justice and fair play demand. The
plea that the railroads must 90 into
politics IN order 10 protect themselves
/ against the radical actions OF the people
/ has IT'S origin In the mistrlist OF the ca
pacity OF the people for self-goyernment
and, II permitted. eventually results in
vicious legislation and unjust discrimi-
nations in favor Of those who assumed
/ To protect the people against themselves
For my part I am unalteraby Op-
/ posed TO organized control OF the Demo
I cratic party by the railroads or any other
! special interest. ] believe the Democratic
party Of the State should organize upon
a better and more Democratic basis. and
place in the party Offices men who believe
| in government by the people rather than
! gOYernment by corporations'