Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-07

In his. keynote speech at the Denver
convention today Temporary Chairman
Theodore A. Bell roundly scored republic
an policies and the republican party, en-
phasized the do-nothing career and char
acteristics Of the latter. and. stating that
the democratic opportunity was at hand
laid stress upon those things for which
that party is known to stand or which it
desires to see carried into effect. He said
in part:
We have assembled at time when the
public conscience is demanding honesty
of purpose in the men who undertake to
direct the affairs of state. The public eye
is keenly sensitive to every political move
ment, and our proceedings here will be
approved according to the degree of sim
cerity appearing in the work of this con-
vention. There is a widespread belief,
founded upon evidence Of a convincing
character, that the party In power has
not been true to its trust, that it has be-
of the enemies of good government,
thereby forfeiting its right, and destroy
Ing its ability to rule in the name of the
people,
There are three things that this conven-
tiOn should do. 1t ought to present In a
plain and ineligible manner the serious
industrial and present conditions that are
disturbing the peace and happiness of our
country. We should then proceed to a
courageous exposure Of the republican
policies that are cooperating with private
greed in the general oppression of the
people. Most important of all, we must
exhibit readiness and an ability to
grasp the problems of the hour and to
effect their solution in a manner that will
satisfy the sober common sense of the
" at 70
One of the Great Evils.
Among the great evils that afflict the
country at the present time is the abuse
of corporate power. At first the advanc-
ing aggressions of the corporations are
not discernible to the common eye, fo:
every move is carefully covered up u.til
sufficient political strength is attained TO
defy the protests of the people. Thus the
constant and insidious invasion of the
peoples rights finally results in species
of arrogance and defiance so formidable
in its appearance that the body of the
people, in fear of even worse aggres-
sions, hesitate to exercise their rigntful
authority over these colossal enemies OF
the commonwealth.
Whenever the mutterings of the people
become TOO threatening the cry CT confis-
cation goes up and appeals are frantically
made TO the sacred rights of party. The
cry Of confiscation is the historic defens
of usurpation. Let the people take warn
ing. Whenever the wrongs Of today be-
come the vested rights of tomorrow the
nation is in deadly peril.
Firm Against Aggression.
The democratic party is not the enemy
Of property: but 10 the contrary. it has
always stood and will continue to stand
firmly against every species of aggression
that would destroy or weaken the right of
any man 10 enjoy the rewards to which
his patience, his skill. his industry and
his economy enroll him. The democratic
party is not an enemy of all corporations
1t recognizes their great value in the in
dustrial world. Through the agency of
Incorporation scattered wealth is brought
together and given driving force that
it would not otherwise possess. Great en-
terprcSes are thereby undertaken and the
unYeveloped resources of the country
adHed to the wealth of the world
The Chicago platform points with pride
to the passage of child labor law for
the District of Columbia. Let the repub-
lican party go further than the enactment
of penal laws and use it's vast energies
for the removal of the conditions that are
forcing our children into the labor mar
ket.
The most palpable instance of the in.
sincerity of the Chicago platform is found
in it's declaration respecting the issuance
of injunctions At session after session of
Congress labor has pleaded for relief from
the abuses of injunctions. but it's appeals
have fallen on deaf ears.
The charge that the courts are being
assailed is simply made for the purpose of
diverting attention from the real issue
People Want Safeguards.
1t makes nc difference whether the
courts are acting in excess of their juris-
diction or strictly within their delegated
powers. In either case the people have a
right to throw additional safeguards
around human liberty. The democratic
convention must formally and unequivo-
cally pledge itself to such legislation as
CONTINUED on Seventeenth Page.)