The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1908-08-14

Szibutions from the benenciaries Of pro
lection, a. to make that party power
less to bring TO the country any ma
tsriai relief from the present tarih
burdens.
WY Ne Aati-trsst Lssisistienf
A few years ago the Republican lead
srs In the house Of representatives,
wore coerced by public opinion into
the support Of an antitrust law which
had the endorsement of the president
but the senate refused even 10 con-
slider the measure, and since that time
NO effort has been made BY the domi-
Aant party to secure remedial legtsia-
ton upon this subject.
Why No Railroad Lsoisistieaf
For ten years the Interstate Com
merce Commission has been asking for
an enlargement Of its powers. that 1t
might prevent rebates aud discrimlna-
tions but a Republican senate and
Republican house Of representatives
were unmovod by Its entreaties. In
1900 the Republican national conven-
tion was urged to endorse the demand
for railway Legislation but Its platform
was silent on the subject. Even In
1oOA the convention gave no pledge to
remedy thsse abuses. When the prss'-
dent nnaiIy asked for legislation be
drew bis inspiration from three Demo
cratic national platforms and he re-
coived more cordial support from the
Democrats than from tho Republicans.
The Republicans In the senate deliber-
steiy defeated several amendments Of
ferred by Senator La Toilette and sup,
ported BY the Democrats amendments
embodying Legislation asked by the In
terstate Commerce Commtsstop, One
Of these amendments authorized the
ascertalnment Of the value Of rail
roads. This amendment was not only
defeated by the senate. but 1t was over
whelmingly rejected by the recent Re
publican national convention, and the
Republican candidate has sought to res
cue his party from the disastrous re-
suits Of this act by expressing HIM
self. In n qualified way. In favor Of
ascertaining the value Of the railroads.
o~sr.issss Of stssks sna Bonds.
Mr.. TAFT complains Of the SysE4sspe
Of stocks and bonds of railroads, "for
the unlawful enriching Of directors
and for the purpose Of concentrating
the control Of the railroads under one
management" and the complaint is
well founded, But with president to
point out the evil, and Republican
congress to correct H. we find nothing
done for the protection OF the public.
Wlyl Ny honorable opponent has, Ry
his confession, relieved me Of the ne
cessfty Of furnishing proof; he admits
the condition and he can not avoid the
logicai conclusion that must be drawn
from the admission. There Is 10 doubt
whatever that a large majority of the
voters Of inc Republican party recog-
nize the deploxsbIe situation which Mr..
Taft describes; they recognize that the
masses have had but little influence
upon legislation or upon tie ad-
mlnistration Of the government. aad
they are beginning to understand
the cause. For generation the Re
publican party has drawn its cam
paign funds from the benefciaries OF
special legislation. Privileges have
been pledged and granted 10 return for
money contributed to debauch cleo
tions. What can be expected when Of
ficial authority II turned over to the
representatives Of those who first fur
nish the sinews of war and then reim-
burse themselves out Of the pockets OF
the taIpayers7
Fastlns In Wilderness Necessary.
80 long as the Republican party re-
mains in power. 1t is powerless to re-
generate itself. 1t can not attack
wrong doing In high places without dis
gracing many Of its prominent mem
bcrs. and II, therefore, uses opiates In
stead Of the surgeons knife. Its male
factors construe each Republican VIC
tory as ap endorsement Of their con-
duct and threaten the party with de-
feat II they are interfered with. Not
until that party passes through 4 pc
rlod OF fasting In the wilderness. Will
the Republican leaders learn to study
public questions from the standpoint
Of the masses. Just as with indlvid-
uals, "the cares Of this world and the
deceitfulness Of riches choke the truth"
so in politics, when party leaders serve
far away from home and are not In
constant contact with the voters, con-
tinued party success blinds their eyes
to the needs Of the people and makes
them deaf to the cry OF distress.
Publicity - 70 Campaign contribu-
tions.
An effort has been made to secure
legislation requiring publicity as to
campaign contributions and expendi-
lures: but the Republican leaders. even
In the face Of an indignant public. re-
fused to consent to law which would
compel honesty In elections. When the
matter was brought up In the recent
Republican national convention, the
plank was repudiated by vote Of $50
to ~. Here, too, Mr.. Taft has been
driven to apologize for his convention
and to declare himself In favor Of q
publicity law; and yet. II you will read
what he says upon this subject, you
will find that bis promise falls far short
Of the requirements Of the situation.
He says:
III I am elected president. ! shall
urge upon congress. with every hope Of
success, that a law be passed requiring
the filing. In federal Office. Of q state
ment Of the contributions received by