The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1908-02-14
STILL DO NOTHING
REPUBLICANS FAIL TO PROTECT
PEOPLES INTERESTS.
And tire Taxpayers. By Their Votes.
Seem 20 Sc willing Thai Trust
Monopoly Be Prolon9es-The
Political Situation.

As Il has been proved beyond con-
tention. both by evidence and admis-
sions. thar the tariff has fostered
trusts and siill protects them from
competition. why should the tariff not
BE- reformed. so as no longer 10 pro
tect the trusts? The answer 20 this
question can only be. that the ma
j0rity OF the American people desire
20 prolong this trust monopoly when
they elect Representatives 20 congress
and members % the state legislatures
that vote for United States senators
70 represent their states in the nation
al legislature From various causes
the majority Of the voters have de-
cldei that they are willing 20 be plum
de7ed by the trusts. although they
were opposed 20 being plundered by
the railroads. At least. that is where
their preference for Republican poll
cies have brought them 10. The peo-
pie have been fooled once more into
believing that a Republican congress
would protect their interests under the
lead OF Roosevelt, the reputed trust
and corporation buster The last con-
gress. after prolonged discussion. was
forced by public opinion TO pass the
railroad rate bill. which was supposed
BIZ many would compel the railroads
70 charge reasonable rates. That was
the theory OF President Roosevelt and
the Republican leaders. The Demo
cratic leaders IN congress told the PEG
pie the Law was entirely inadequate
% reform abuses. but Mr Roosevelt
turned the tide cf real reform by &C
cepting a bogus amendment 10 the
bill for fear the Democrats should
have the credit OF aiding the people.
The railroad rate law did do some
good things II abolished the free
passes. Il c0mpels the railroads 20 pub
lish their rates. so that every one can
know what the rates are and all ship
pers be on ar equal footing II gave
the interstate commerce commission
e little more power. but not enough
power 70 make unreasonable rates rea-
sousbie. Many 81 the states. mostly
Democratic ones. however. have taken
the rate question in hand and lowered
passenger rates within the state
bour diaries against the protest OF the
railroad managers. who declared that
20 do 30 was virtually 20 cO.fscate
their property. They have appealed
20 The United States courts for pro-
lection. and in al cases the Repub-
lican federal judges have decided in
favor OF the railroads
With regard 70 the industrial trusts
the situation is still more deplorable,
for the federal government has accom-
plished nothing thai has reduced the
price Of one Of the necessities that the
trusts produce Il Is true President
Roosevelt has taken 20 himself the
title % trusr-busfer. and Senator Knox,
when attorney general. did successful
" prosecute the combine Of me North
ern Securities company. but the rail
roads that composed that combine still
charge the same unreasonable rates
and Il fac have increased some Of
them. notably the rates IN lumber
With a great flourish OF Republican
trum7ets and a loud blast from the
Roosevelt bugle. the paper trust was
declared abolished. yet the price o
print paper is higher than ever. anS
there IS a demand from even Repub
lican newspapers. thai the tariff ta'
on paper and wood pulp be abolished
50 the net results Of all this pretended
effort for railroad and trust bustinl
has produced 10 practical results 70
the relief 81 the people.
4 Republican congress is in session
and virtually doing nothing. and IN
4 Republican leaders declare their inter
( ton Of doing as little as possible. g,
cept 70 pass the appropriation bill
ard adjourn in time to round up dele
gates 10 the Republican national COZ
veuion. where more promises win b
made. with no more intention Of keel
iu- them IN the future than In n
past
II 50 many eyes were not blinded B
pa-tisanship. and the trusts and CO
porations did not supply campaig
funds. th~-e would be a revolt againi
this stand-pat program. but such pa
iisanship and corruption. aided
Democratic divisions for the contr
of the party. may again give the stan
pafters another lease of power. W;
there ever such a political mess {
fered to the American people whs
such important matters for their ~
far-. should be demanding their q
tenrion?