Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-08-12

NCOnllnueu from rage SlX.)
who has entire control of its delibera-
tions, and powers of legislation
eve have observed with amazement
the popular branch of our federal gov
eminent helpless to obtain either the
consideration or enactment of meas
ures desired by majority of its mem
berS
This arraignment is fully justified.
The reform republicans in the house
of representatives, when in the minor
ity in their own party, are as helpless
to obtain a hearing or to secure vote
upon a measure as are the democrats.
In the recent session of the present
congress, there was a considerable elo-
ment in the republican party favorable
to remedial legislation; but a few
leaders, in control of the organization
ldespotically suppressed these men,
bers, and thus forced a real majority
| in the house to submit to a well organ
| lied minority. The republican nation
al convention, instead of rebuking this
attack upon popular government, eulo-
gized congress and nominated as the
REPUBLICAN candidate for vice president
one of the men who shared in the re-
SpOnSibility for the coercion of the
house. Our party demands that the
house of representative shall again
become a deliberative body. controlled
by majority of the peoples represen
ltatives, and not by the speaker and
lis pledged to adopt such rules and
regulations to govern the house OF
Representatives as will enable a ma
jority of its members to direct its de
alterations and control legislation
"'Shall the people rule? They car
not do so unless they can control the
house of representatives and through
their representatives in the house
Igive expression to their purposes anC
their desires. The republican party i:
committed to the methods now il
Vogue in the house of representatives
the democratic party is pledged to sucf
a revision of the rules as will brins
the popular branch of the federal gov
eminent into harmony with the idea
of those who framed our constitution
and founded our government.
Shall the people rule?' l repeat, il
declared by our platform to be thu
overshadowing question, and as tht
campaign progresses, | shall take occa
sion to discuss this question as i
lmanifests itself in other issues; TO
whether we consider the tariff ques
ltion, the trust question, the railroad
Question, the banking question, thu
labor question, the question of imper
Iialism, the development of our water
ways, or any other of the numerou
lproblems which press for solution, w
| shall find that the real question involy
ed in each is. whether the government
shall remain a mere business asset o
flavor seeking corporations or to be a.
instrument in the hands of the peopl
for the advancement of the common
. veal.
Democratic Party Has Earned Conf
I'll dence.
'If the voters are satisfied with tn
record of the republican party and wit
1 its management of public affairs, w
can not reasonably ask for a change i
administration; if, however, the voter
feel that the people, as a whole, hav
too little influence in shaping the pol
cies of the government; if they fee
that great combinations of capital hav
4 encroached upon the rights of til
masses, and employed the instrumel
talities of government to secure a
unfair share of the total wealth pr
duced, then we have right to eXpe'
la verdict against the republican part
4 and in favor of the democratic party
q for our party has risked defeat-ay
4 suffered defeat-in it's effort to arou:
The conscience of the public and
bring about that very awakening
which Mr.. Taft has referred.
only those are worthy to re c
trusted with leadership in gre
cause who are willing to die for
and the democratic party has prov
IS its worthiness by its refusal to oil
chase victory by delivering the poop
into the hands of those who have
spoiled them. In this contest betwe
democracy on the one side and d
q tocracy on the other, the democrat