Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1908-08-27

4--N''''iiVHH ~ ti' l''lilDtIdtIt party LOT
the extraordinary honor which it has con
ferred upon NO. Having twice before
been a candidate for the presidency. in
campaigns which ended in defeat. a third
nomination. the result of the free and
voluntary act Of the voters Of the party.
car only be explained by a substantial
and undispGtcd growth in the principles
and policies for which /. with a multi
tude Of others. have contended. As these
principles and policies nave given me
whatever political strength ] possess. the
actian of the convention not only reneNs
my faith in them, but Strengthens my at
tachment 10 them.
The distinguished statesman who re
ceivel the Republican nomination for
President said. in his notification speech :
'IhP strength of the Republican cause in
the campaign at hand is the fact that we
represent the policies essential to the re
form Of known abuses. TO the continuance
Of liberty and true prosperity. and that
We are determined. as orr platform IN
equivocally declares. 10 maintain them and
carry them en-
IN the mana Of the Democratic party.
! accept the challenge. and charge that
tha Republican party is responsible for
al the abuses which now exist in the fed
ernl government. and thai it is impotent
to- accomplish the reforms which are I'M
na"ltivo,y needed. Further. l can NOT
concur IN The statement Thal the Republic
eau platform unoquivocally declares for
tlr reforms HAT are necessary; on the
contrary. ] aGirm HAT i openly and noto-
TioUSly Gi@auo0ilt& tn" hopes and expec-
tarions Of Tcf2rmerS, whether those re
former; be Republicans or Democrats. So
far did the Republican convention fall
short OF its duty that the Republican can
didatc felt it necessary TO add to his plat
form in several important particulars.
thus rebuking the leaders of the party,
upon whose cooperation he must rely for
the enactment Of remedial legislation.
Issue OF the Campaign.
Our platform declares that the over
.shadowing issue which manifests itself in
all the questions now under discussion
is: Shall tho people rule No matter
which way we turn, no matter to what
subject we address ourselves. the sal me
question COnfrontS us Shall the people
control their own government and use
that government for the protection OF
their rights and for the promotion of their
welfare? or shall the representatives of
Predatory wealth prey upon a dcfenseless
public while the Offenders secure immu-
nifty from subservient officials whom they
raise to power by interruptions methods?
This is the issue raised by the known
abuses to which Mr.. Taft refers"
Mr.. Bryan then quotes from the Presi-
dents winter message on predatory
wealth"
rs the Presidents Indictment true:
And, if true. against whom was the in
dictment directed? Not against the Dem
ocratic party.
Mr.. Taft says that these evils have
crept in during the last ten years. He de-
clares that during this time some prom
inent and influential members Of the COM
mUnity. spurred by financial success and
IN their hurry for greater wealth. became
~uDmindful Of the common rules of bust
ness honesty and fidelity and of the limi-
tations imposed by law upon their ac-
tons
During all this time. | beg to remind
You. Republican officials presided in the
executive department. filed the cabinet.
dominated the Senate. controlled the
House of Representatives. md occupied
most Of the federal judgoships. -Four
years ago the Republican platform boast
fully declared that since lS6N-with the
exception Of two years-the Republican
party had been in control of part or of
all the branches Of the federal govern
nent; that for two years only was the
Democratic party in a position to either
enact or repeal a law. Having drawn
the salaries; having enjoyed the honors:
having secured the prestige. let the Re
publican party accept the responsibility.
Why were these known abuses per- |
mitted to develop? Why have they not
been corrected? II existing laws are suf-
fcicnt. why have they not been enforced? |
All of the executive machinery OF the
federal government is in the hands Of the |
Republican party. Are new laws neces- |
Bary? Why have they not been enacted?
With a Republican President to recon-
mend, with a Republican Senate and
House to carry out his recommendations. |
why does the Republican candidate plead
for further time in which to do what
should have been done long ago? Can Mr..
Taft promise to be more strenuous in the