Los Angeles herald., 1908-08-26

the American public.
Exerted by Republicans
This power to subvert the popular
will is exerted by this Republican
leadership in many ways, notably in
the appointment by the speaker of the
house, of committees, which are in
many instances so constituted as to
quietly kill in the committee room
measures designed for the relief Of the
people.
To illustrate, permit me to quote
from a petition presented to congress
by the great labor leaders of this coun-
try constituting the executive council
of the American Federation of Labor.
The committee on labor of the house
of representatives was instituted at the
demand of labor to voice its senti-
ments, to advocate it's rights and pro-
tect its interests.
In the past two congresses this com
mittee has been SO organized as to
make Intellectual any attempt labor has
made for redress This being the fact
in the last congress, labor requested
the speaker to appoint on the COM
mittee on labor members who from
their experience, knowledge and SYM
pathy would render in this congress
such service as the committee was
originally designed to perform. Not
only was labors request ignored, but
the hostile makeup of the committee
was accentuated.
Honorable L. White Busby is the
private secretary of Speaker Cannon.
In magazine article describing the
power of the speaker Mr.. Busby re-
lates the circumstance of Dill haylng
been prepared and three-fourths OF
the members of the house having
signed a request to the speaker asking
that the rules committee, of which he
is chairman, bring in special rule for
the consideration of the bill. The
speaker refused the request. The
chairman of the committee pleaded and
urged.
AS a final stroke the chairman said:
"Then, Mr.. Speaker, this bill is to
fail by the will of one man who is in
the chair by our votes. We have no
redress from this one-man poYer.
Eyes you have" replied the Speaker;
"you have a way to pass your bill. You
placed me in the chair to shoulder
the responsibility of the legislation
here enacted. In my view I cannot
assume the responsibility of this bill.
You can elect new speaker today and
pass your bill If you can find one VINO
will accept that responsibility, but II
you leave me in the chair that bill Will
not become law"
Must Assert Manhood
have suggested the other way by
which the American voters can regain
their rights to self government, and
that is by the assertion of their man
hood on election day, by rebuking with
their ballots the party which has
brought about such an intolerable con-
dition.
Time forbids the multiplication of In
stances where the popular will has been
Axv he PQnIIhliCAn LEADER
ship-sometimes by the one-man power
of the house and sometimes by the
few representatives of monopoly VINO
dominate the senate. Measure after
measure-scores of them-favored by
the people Of all parties-in many IN
stances, advocated strenuously by the
president. either failed of passage or
were so emasculated by amendment as
to utterly fail to register the popular
will.
The question, "Shall the people ruler
is one which demands serious ana
earnest consideration of all men VINO
are interested in the perpetuation OF
our institutions. 1t must be apparent
to all who have followed the course or
legislation during the past few years
that there is a power within the Re
publican party determined that the
people shall not rule. That power mas
manifested itself whenever effort has
been made to check the destructive
work of unlawful combination, reduce
the oppressive tariff tax, or enact any
legislation looking toward the equal
ization of tightening OF the puroens
resting upon the people.
That dominent power which now
guides or directs the Republican party
has on many occasions defied the presl-
dent in cases where he has on demand
of the masses made sporadic efforts IN
their behalf. In some instances he mas
persuaded his handful of leaders to
compromise on their own terms with
the eight millions of people whom he
assumed to represent but in most cases
he has been absolutely powerless.
Applause Is Repeated
When Mr.. Kern closed his speech of
he was given another burst
of applause.
Chairman Mack introduced Thomas
P. Marshall, Democratic candidate for
governor of Indiana, who spoke briefiy.
A scene equaled only by that at the
Denver convention when Mr.. Bryan s
name was first mentioned by Senator
Gore was enacted when Chairman
Mack introduced the Democratic can
didate for president.
THE vast audience stood and wildly
cheered, waved flags and handker-
chiefs and tossed their hats into the
air.
After the demonstration had con-
tinued several minutes Mr.. Bryan
sought to secure order by vigorously
rapping on the table with the presid-
Ing officers gavel
After some further cheering order
was restored and the Democratic cam
didate began his speech.
The Trust Question
Nowhere does the Republican party |
show its indifference to real reform |
more than in it's treatment of the trust |
question. Here is the Republican plat
form:
"The Republican party passed the |
Sherman antitrust law over Demo-
cratic opposition and enforced 1t after |
Democratic dereliction. 1t has been |
instrument for good in the |
hands of a wise and fearless admin |
istration. But experience has shown |
that it's effectiveness can be strength |
ened and It's real objects better at
tanned by such amendments as will |
give to the federal government greater |
and control over and Sc |
cure greater publicity In, the manage
ment Of that class of corporations en-
gagged in interstate commerce, having |
power and opportunity to AFFECT |
The Sherman antitrust law was |
passed eighteen years ago; 1t has a |
criminal clause which provides a pen
ltentiary punishment for those who
together in restraint Of trade. |
Ever since the enactment of the law, |
with the exception of four years, the
party has controlled the |
executive department of the govern
ment, and, during two years of the |
four, 1t controlled the house OF repre-
sentatives. Instead of Democratic |