Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-14

from the hand that smote them and Hex
the boot whose impact they have felt" He
referred also to the peerless leader, who
hobbies like a cripple in the wake OF his
successful rival, gathering as he goes the
few scraps that are left of his own raj
lacies.''
The speaker ridiculed democrats and re-
publicans who denounce Roosevelt in pri-
Nate, but are too cOwardly, he said, TO
voice their opinions publicly.
He said the President policy had al
ready caused the abandonment of large
commercial undertakings; that every one
that had anything at stake thank God in
their hearts for the promise to forego
third term and devoutedly stay through
with no little misgiving for the keeping Of
the pledge
Hearst on the League.
The Independence League dinner drew
4e5 persons. John Temple Graves of At
lanta also was one of the guests.
Mr.. Hearst devoted most of his address to
the Independence League. He said in part:
Neither one of the old parties stands to-
day for any particular principle There
are trust democrats and antitrust demo-
Gratis; there are trust republicans and anti
trust republicans. and tariff reform republic
cans. and there are democrats scattered all
along the way from protection to free trade
In fact, there are in both parties those who
profit by class distinction and special priv
llege and those who stand for popular
rights and equal opportunities for all.
Political battles today are not fought on
the real issues of today, and these issues
will never be decided until some party is
formed that will stand boldly for definite
principles. that will collect within its ranks
all those committed to those principles and
that will rise or fall. according to the YER
diet of the people on those principles.
Anything to Get In"
The motto of the democratic party is
Anything to get in The motto of the re-
publican party is Anything to stay in.
'"rake the two principles now conspicu-
ously before the country. the principle of
public control of public utilities and the
principle of public ownership of public utili
ties. Both are good. both are practicable,
but both are dependent upon the honesty
and efficiency of the administration that
operates them.
1T has been proven possible for corrupt
or incompetent men so to mismanage the
discredit the whole system of public owner
ship. The post Office presents deficit of
S1O.OOO0OO year when it should produce
profit of at least that amount.
Corruption in Post Office.
Il say this condition of the post Office
finances is as much corruption as it is in
competency. The fraudulent Weighing of
the mails is thievery. The corrupt expendi-
ture of the peoples money in political sub
sides is robbery. And the campaign con-
tributions of the beneficiary corporations
bribery
In 1904 Mr.. Perkins contributed $50, 900
of the money of widows and orphans to
Mr.. Cortelyou, campaign collector of the
republican party. In 1905 Mr.. Cortelyou,
Postmaster General. paid back to Per-
kins the party debt with public funds
He awarded Perkins contract for his
steamship line which pays him 100000 a
year more than other steamship lines are
paid for a similar service.
so it seems that Mr.. Roosevelt and
MIR. Hartman are not the only practical
men in this practical administration. Mr.
CortelyOu and Mr.. Perkins appear to be
about as practical as men can be and re-
main at large.
Not public control nor public ownership
will be successful until you elect faithful
public officials. and you will not elect faith
full and competent men to office until you
choose the managers of your government
with more consideration for their worth
than for their party affiliation.
Bryan Not Present
There was some discussion at the Demo-
cratic Club dinner over the fact that Will
liam J. Bryan was not present. nor had he
sent regards. 1t was said by several per-
sons that the dinner committee had decided
to invite Mr.. Bryan. but had appointed
to attend to the Invitations
This committee. it was said had not for
warded an invitation. There are two known
parties in the club, favoring Mr.. Bryan,
and the second opposing him.