The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-03-31

them has any reform tendencies
whatever. In fact, the widespread re-
form sentiment among the Republic
can masses is not reflected to any con-
siderable extent among Republican
leaders.
What does Secretary Taft stand
for? What does he denounce as
wrong? What does he propose as
remedy? What would he do with the
trusts? He tells US that he would not
exterminate them, but simply regu-
late them.
What does he propose on the tariff
question? Revision, but not until cleo
ton.
What reform does Secretary Taft
propose for the benefit of labor? The
laboring men insist that they are en-
titled to trial by jury; but Secretary
Taft went all the way to Oklahoma
to find fault with a proposition in the
Oklahoma constitution securing this
protection to the laboring man.
Burdens of Imperialism.
What relief does Secretary Taft
propose to give US from the burdens
which imperialism has imposed upon
the country? The appropriation for the
army and navy has increased more
than $100,000,000 year since we en-
tered upon our colonial experiment.
Our army is more than twice as large
as it was in 1895, and we are still
doctrine set forth in the Declaration
of independence, that governments
derive their just powers from the con-
sent of the governed.
What is Secretary Taft going to do
on the railroad question?
In one speech he took occasion to
explain that the president was not re-
sponsible for rate reductions! this
would indicate that Secretary Taft
does not favor rate reduction. Is he
u At.
commerce commission to ascertain
the present value of the future issue
of watered stock? Does he urge re-
duction in freight and passenger rates
wherever and whenever such reduc-
lions can be made without injustice
to honest investments? He has given
no assurance on these questions and
we must judge what he would do by
what he now says or fails to say. If,
when he is trying to secure the sup
port of reform Republicans, he is SO
evasive on the subject, what could
we expect of him if he were elected?
Does Secretary Taft favor the ma
tional incorporation of railroads, as
suggested by the president? Would
he favor law withdrawing from the
vesting exclusive control in the feder-
| al government? And if he favors ma
tonal Incorporation would he be in
favor of giving the railroads a perpet-
ual franchise I'D perpetual guar
| antee of incom If not, will he ex-
plain why he will be more unjust to
| the Filipinos than to the people of his
| own country?
| What chance of reform is there at
the hands of the Republican leaders
| against the people and act upon the
| theory that inducements must be held
| out to capital, no matter how great
the burdens imposed upon the pro-
| ducers of wealth? There is no doubt
| that the masses of the people, Repub-
ltcan and Democratic, are in favor
| of reform. If we can only convince
| the voters that the Democratic party
will be true to reform victory is as
sured, and the only way in which we
| can convince the public that we hon
| estly desire to administer the govern
| ment in behalf of the people, is to
give them an honest platform, en-
pIoy honest arguments, and conduct a
campaign by honest methods and
through an honest organization.
Biggest Banquet Ever.
Kansas City, Mo-, March 31.-wil-
liam j. Bryan and Judge Judson Har-
mon Of Cincinnati, who were the
guests of honor here last night at the
great banquet given in Convention
hall by the Young Mems Democratic
homes this morning. Mr.. Bryan de-
clared today that the banquet was
the largest ever held in this country
There were 1900 banqueters seated
on the arena floor and $1,000 specta-
tors occupied the gallery seats. Every
available inch of room was utilized
Il have been in Kansas City many
times" said Mr.. Bryan, "and carried
away pleasant recollections. I can
carry away this time the recollection
of having addressed the largest ban
Quet that has ever assembled in any
city on American soil"
Editors to Meet Bryan.
Lincoln, Neb., March 31.-Seventy-
five members of the Democratic Edi-
torial association of Nebraska arrived
in the city today to attend a reception
and dinner to be rendered to William
j. Bryan tonight. At a business ses-