Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1908-07-21

we, the representatives Of the Democracy
or the United States Ia national convention
assembled, reafiirm belief in. AMI pledge
our loyalty 10, the principles of the party
We rejoice at the increasing signs of an
awakening throughout the county. The
various Investigations have traced graft and
political corruption TO the representatives,
OF predato-Y wealth. and laid bare the I'M
serupuiOas methods BY which they have de-
fenseless public through the subseryient Off
Gals whom they have raised to place and
power
The conscience Of the nation is now
aroused TO free the government from the
grip OF those who have made it a business
asset Of the favor-seeking corporations IL
must become again a peoples government
and be administered IN III rs dep2rtimenlS
equal rights to all and special privileges
to none 49,. -. ..,,.,a + rho ovor-srad.
owing Issue which marifest5 itself in all
the questions now under discussion.
OGice-HoIders.
Coircident with the enormous increase in
expenditures Is a like addition to the num-
Der Of ofiCe-hOlders. During the last year
237s4 were added. costing 6,1j6.000 and
in the IasT six years OF the Republican adj
ministratiOn the total number of new offices
created, aside from many commissions has
been 99,319. entailing an additional expendi-
ture of nearly S70000,OOO, as against only
1929 new Offices created under the Cleve-
land and Mckinley administrations, which
involved an expenditure OF only $6.OOO.000.
We denounce this great and growing in
crease in the number Of office-holdeTs as not
only unnecessary and wasteful but also as
clearly indicating a deliberate purpose on
the part Of the administration to keep the
Republican party In power at public expense
by thus increasing the number of its retain
and dependents. Such procedure
declare to be no less dangerous and corrupt
than the open purchase Of votes at the polls.
Economy in Administration.
just ended has made appropriations amount
ing to S1,OOS 100000, exceeding the total
expenditures of the past fiscal year by $780,
600 900, and leaving deficit of more than
$50. 900 900 for the fiscal year. We de1ounce
the needless waste of the peoples money
which has resulted in this appalling increase
a shameful violation of all prudent con-
diti0ns of government, as no less than a
crime against the millions of work.ngmen
and women from whose earnings the great
proportion of these colossal sums must be
extorted through excessive tariff exactions
and other indirect methods. IL Is not sur
prislng that. in the face of this shocking
record the Republican platform contains no
reference to economical administration or
-omise thereof in the future. We demand
that a stop be put 10 this frightful extraya-
ganec and insist upon the strictest economy
In every department compatible with frugal
and efficient administration.
Arbitrary Power of Speaker.
The House of Representatives was de-
signed by the fathers of the Constitution TO
be the popular branch of our government,
responsive to the public will.
The House of Representatives, as con-
trolled In recent years by the Republican
party. has ceased TO be deliberative and
legislative body, responsive to the will of
majority of It's members, but has come under
the absolute domination of the Speaker, who
has entire control of its deliberations and
powers of legislation.
We have observed with amazement the
popular branch of our federal government
helpless TO obtain either the consideration
or enactment of measures desired by ma
jority of Its members.
Legislative government becomes fall
ure when one member In the person of the
Speaker is more powerful than the entire
body.
We demand THAT the House of Represent
atives shall again become a delibcrative
body. controlled by a majority of the peo-
Pies representatives and not by the Speaker.
and we pledge ourselves to adopt such rules
and regulations to govern the Horse of Rep
resentatiyes as will enable a majority of its
members to direct its deliberations and con
troll legislation.
Misuse Of Patronage.
We condemn. a violation Of the spirit
of our institutions the action of the present
chief executive in using the patronage )f
his high office TO secure the nomination II
one of his cabinet officers. 4 forced Sacces
siou ilT he presidency is scarcely less re-
pu mant to public sentiment than is life
tenIre in that oiice. No good intention on
the part of the executive and no virtue in
the one selected can Justify the establish
ment Of a dynasty. The right of the people
TO freely select their officials Is inalienable
and cannot be delegated
Publicity OF Campaign Contributions
We demand federal legislation forever ter
minating the partnership which has existed
between corporations of the country ana
the Republican party under the expressed or
implied agreement that n return for the
contribution of great sums Of money where
with TO purchase elections they should be
allowed TO continue substantially unmolested
In their efforts TO encroach upon the rights
of the people.
Any reasonable doubt as TO the existence
! of this relation has been forever dispelled
by the sworn testimony of witnesses exam
ined In the insurance investigation In New
York, and the open admission unehallenged
by the Republican National Comm ttee of
single individual, that he himself ST the per-
sonal request of the Republican CANDIDATE for
the presidency rsised over a quarter of
million dollars 90 be used in single State
during the closing hours of the last cam
paign. In order that this practice shall be
stopped for all time we demand the passage
of statute furnishing with imprisonment
any officer OF a corporation who shall either
contribute on behalf OF, or consent to the
contribution by. corporation of any money
or thing Of value to be used in furthering
the election OF President or Vice Presi-
dent Of the United States or OF any member
of the Congress thereof.
We denOunce the action Of the Republican
party, having complete control of the fei-
eral government for its failure TO pass the
bill introduced in the last Congress to COM
pei the publication of the names of contrib
utors and the amounts contributed toward
campaign funds, aud point to the evidence
of their inslncerity when they sought by
GnabSoiutelS irrelevant and impossible amend
ment TO defeat the passage of the bill As
further evidence OF their intention 10 con
duet then campaign in the coming contest
with vast sums of money wrested from ia
vor-sesSinS corporations we call attention
10 the fact that the recent Republican ma
tionai convention at Chicago refused when
the plank was presented TO il 20 declare
against such practices.
We pledge the Democratic party TO the
enactment OF a law preventing any CORPORA
ton contributing 70 a campaign fund ana
any individual from contributing an amount
above reasonable maximum and providing
for the publication before election of all
such contributions above a reasonable min
inum.
Rights OF the states.
Relieving. with jefferson in the support
of the state governments II all their rights
as the most competent adminiStra tinn for
our domestic concerns aud the Surcst bull
war6 against anti-republican Tendencies"
and in "the preservation OF the general gov
crliment In It's whole constitutional viGor as
the sheet anchor OF our peace at home and
safety a6reaG, we are opposed TO the cen.
tr&ligation implied in these suggestions nov
frequently made. shat the powers OF the
general government sh0nld be extended By
judicial construction There is no twilight
gone between the nation and the state in
which exploiting Interests can take refuge
from both and il Is as necessary that this
federal government shall excryfSe the pow
ers delegated % IL as & Is that the state
TO them. hut We insist that federal remedies
for the regulation % Interstate commerce
and for the prevention OF private monopoly