The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-12-01
rnnA,sEu,s CHALLENGE.

tH J'Ol{AIA EiItS VIA HJbIn1ENN III H
Joseph -. Foraker is the boldest
political knight OF tile day. and lie
rushes into the presidential arena with
n challenge in his hand. or all, candi.
dates for the Republican nomination
since the war, he Is the most defant
and the most aggressive. Compared
with Maine's Plumed Knight OF other
days, This Lochinvar come out OF the
West is as Hotsnur to Don Qulxote.
lie throws down the gauntlet to Roose-
Welt, to Taft. and to all distinguished
opponents within the patty ranks.
To TAFT he says, Back to the people
and let them decide as between us.
To those who would make him Sem
ator, "as a mere agent to register the
DEGREES Of somebody else" he says.
File upon you and fudge.
To tariff reactionaries in the Re-
publican party he says. I stand pat.
TO all his critics he says, Search
my record.
To President Roosevelt he says, I
you so.
He declares that in opposing the
Presidents rate bill he pointed out
that the result Of Its passage would
inevitably be that Just at the time
when a notwithstanding business for
the roads was making 1T necessary
for them to raise hundreds OF millions
annually for increasing their tracks.
cars and general facilities, we would
impair the confidence OF investors In
their stocks and bonds and thereby not
only make 1t impossible for the roads
sell the additional securities neccs-
sary for such purposes, but lead many
of the holders OF them. both at home
and abroad, to dispose of what were
already outstanding, and that In conse-
quence the market would be SO largely
oyersupplied that their values would
shrink. dragging down all kinds Of
securities with them, until panic and
disaster would take the place Of conf
dencc and prosperity"
Therefore he dares to hold the Presi-
dent responsible in part for "the un-
happy financial and industrial condi-
itions with which we have been over
taken"
Nor does he hesitate to take the
President to task for his assaults upon
tho Constitution and for his demands
for government regulation. and he in
Inmates that Mr.. Roosevelt's attacks on
the captains Of finance and industry
We're exaggerated.
He asseverates that the moral stand
ing OF the business men of this coun-
try, while always high, was never sc
high as now. and consequently "thcre
restrict commercial freedom by statu-
tory details OF management and sur
VIGILANCE that are apparently framed
on tho theory that all men arc crimi-
nails
'Abova all things" he concludes.
there should be 10 federation of the
idea that our Constitution has become
IN part q mlsnt II obsolete, and that
it must be changed n vitalized by
judicial interpretation. or by the mere
assertion OF public sentiment in-sup-
port Of that which may, for the mo-
ment, be desired, although manifestly
unauthorized by its provisions"
That is a bold Indictment. and broad
IL anything is omitted 1t is the bond
issue; but that will keep. Mr.. Foraker
has raised the'issue without equivoca-
ton between himself and Mr.. Roose-
welt. or any candidate in sympathy
with the Presidents policy.
1t is a pretty fight. n the frs
battle will be fought in Ohio. II Mr.
Foraker is defeated there, his fate
will probably be decided: but II liz
captures the Ohio delegation, Taft will
be retired and Mr.. Roosevelt will the1
be compelled to sit up s%traighter ant
take more particular notice. He ma,
feel that he is called upon to accep
Forakcr's challenge in person.
RE-