Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-07-16
The Sentinel as a Prophet.

form. This is certainly a dangerous
thing for it to do since the Nation,
/ Democracy has never yet evolved two
consecutive platforms that were con-
sistent with one another. The
Sentinel hopes it will:
First, declare for the hauling down
of the American flag and policy OF
scuttle in the PHILIPPINES. Second, II
believes that it will declare for "a wal
of determination on Trusts but does
not venture the assertion that it will
do more to enforce the laws as regards
such combinations of Capital than is
being done at the present time by the
Roosevelt administration. The last
Democratic administration is generally
| conceded to have been about the best
friend the trusts in this country have
ever had. It's record on this question
which we shall take occasion to allude
| to later on, makes the prediction vi
the Waterville Sentinel that the
National Democracy will at its next
convention declare war of ex-
| termination on trusts" delicious
piece of humor.
| the belief that the Democratic national
convention will declare for thorough
governmental regulation of such public
| service corporations as engage in
| interstate commerce." Possibly 1t
| may, but it will be remembered that
when the Democratic party was last
in power it fought very shy of legisla-
| ton of this character. The present
antitrust law, which Is be-
ing so vigorously enforced by Presi-
dent Roosevelt was q Republican
| measure. passed by Republican
Congress, and signed by the Republic
can President When William Nc
kinley as a member Of the committee
on rules reported to the House on May
I, 1890 special rule for the immediate
consideration of the antitrust law,
he encountered immediate opposition.
Speeches against the adoption of the
rule were made by Carlisle of
Kentucky, Bland of Missouri, Springer
of Illinois, Richardson of Tennessee.
McCreery of Kentucky and Wilson of
West Virginia.
In the course of an extended speech
Mr.. Wilson. who was later the father
Of the infamous Wilson law, said:
Now, sir, here again is a bill deal
ing with novel and most important
question, a bill that is a new departure
i'm Federal legislation, bristling with
pains and penalties, denouncing new
class of crimes. and imposing prohlbl-
tionS and penalties on many acts not
now illegal. and some perhaps not
properly punishable. Here is a bill
that may derange the course of trade
among the States. that will bring
doubt and uncertainty in many lines of
business, both of production and dis
tribution in the country.
But in spite of Democratic opposi-
tIbll tIlc Iult "dS duopttu anu Liz
Antitrust law. which declared illegal
every combination in the form Of trust
of trade or commerce among the sew
eral states. was given a passage. and
became a law July .. 1890. with the
signature of President Harrison.
We have the opinion of no less
Democratic light than William l.. Will
son. at that time the Democratic lead
err of the National House. that the law
was Il drastic one that "bristles with
pains and peEaltics,' and which is be-
ing vigorously enforced by the present
Republican administration. What
more can the Sentinel want for the
such public service corporations as en-
gage in Interstate commerce." If it
wants more what assurance can it
have that Southern leaders who domi-
nate the policies of the Democratic
party in National conventions and at
Washington. will be any more favor
able to legislation of this character in
time to come than they were in 1890?
Ii the predicon Of the Sentinel should
come true, and the Democracy should
declare in favor of such legislation in
its national platform of 1908 it will be
just Is years behind the Republican
party, but this is to be expected. That
Is about as near the Democracy
ever gets to the Republican procession
in the march of progress.
The Sentinel thinks the Democracy
will declare for an immediate revision
of the tariff. a reduction Of duties on
imports and an increased free list.
Other Democratic papers in Maine
seem to think with the Hon. Charles +. !
Allen Of Cedar Grove. that the Ma
tlonal Democracy will "fearIessly adj
vocate a tariff for revenue only with
out hint at Observation-Disclosures or
nfhnr Ter