The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1908-06-17

Mr.. Chairman and Gentlemen of the
! Conventions:
Another chapter in our national
history under Republican administra-
ton is soon to be concluded, and
conforming to party usage long es-
tablished this convention of $50 dele
gates and their alternates, chosen by
the Republican electorate from every
state and territory within the con-
fines of the republic, meets in this
| high council to submit the record of
its achievements to the critical re-
view of the American people and
make fresh avowal of its faith in the
principles and policies of the Repub-
lican party.
The farmers of the federal consti-
tuition wisely provided that all gov
ernmental power should be lodged
with and retained by the people, and
that heir chosen representatives Sc
| lected to administer the affairs IF
government should be vested with
only a limited tenure of official life,
and at regular and stated periods
render an account of their steward
ship to their righrful sovereign. to
the end that the administration of
public affairs, through the instru-
mentality of individuals and parties,
should at all times conform to and
reflect the dominant judgment of the
American people.
To this end the constitutional term
Of the executive office is limited to
four years, the senatorial to six. with
a third of its membership subject 10
change every two years, while the
service of members of the national
house of representatives, the imme-
date and direct sponsors of the peo-
pie, is restricted to the brief period
of two years. Thus in this free rep
/ resentative government all power
over officials, parties, and policies
rests at all times with the supreme
electorate, confirming the declaration
/ of Abraham Lincoln that this is in
fact government of the people, by
the people, and for the people"
In the approaching election a
president and vice president of the
United States. full membership of
the house of representatives, consist
ing Of 393 members and delegates,
as many different states are to be
chosen. The result, involving as it
does the control of both the executive
and legislative branches of the ma
tional governmet. with the opportun-
ity for a change of parties and poll
cies, is of transcendent Importance
and farreaching consequences, in
volving the states and the nation.
Four years ago the Republican
party in national convention submit
ted the record of its achievements to
the American people, announced its
policies for the future, and, invoking
continuace of public favor, placed in
nomination for the office of president
and vice president of the United
States Theodore Roosevelt and
Charles W. Fairbanks, who were
elected and the platform approved by
popular vote of 7,623.4S5. record
unexampied in the history Of politi-
cal parties since the foundation of
the government, receiving the in
dorsement OF 32 states out of the As.
with but 10 in opposition.
In view Of this Endorsement, it be-
comes pertinent and opportune to in
,quire. What has the Republican
party done In the last four years Of
governmental control-in many re-
spects the most remarkable and bril-
liant in the history of the party and
the country-to forfeit public con-
/ fidence or create distrust in its capac-
! ity for future administration? AL
though some untoward and unfore-
lie during the last four years. yet
these have been met and overcome
with alacrity and courage, and the
country has marched steadily onward
in its matchless course of Industrial
triumphs. The wise and beneficent
Legislation of the Republican party
during the long years OF its ascen-
dency and administration of national
affairs laid the foundation for the