The Democratic advocate., 1908-08-14

of the value of railroads. This amend
ment was not only defeated by the
Senate, but it was overwhelmingly
rejected by the recent Republican Ma
tional Convention, and the Republi-
can candidate has sought to rescue
his party from the disastrous results
of this act by expressing himself, in
a qualified way, in favor of ascertain
ing the value of the railroads.
Over-Issue of Stocks and Bonds.
"Mr Taft complains of the over
issue of stocks and bonds of railroads,
for the unlawful enriching of direc-
tors and for the purpose of concen-
trating the control oil the railroads
under one management and the COM
plant is we'll founded But, with
President to point out the evil, and a
Republican Congress to correct it,
we find nothing done for the protec-
ton of the public. Why? My honor
able opponent has, by his confession,
nishing proof; he admits the condi-
ton and he can not avoid the logical
conclusion that must be drawn from
the admission.
There is no doubt whatever that a
Republican party recognize the de-
plorable situation which Mr.. Taft de-
scribes: they recognize that the
masses have had but little influence
upon legislation or upon the admin
istration of the Government, and they
are beginning to understand the.
cause. For a generation, the Republi-
can party has drawn its campaign
funds from the beneficiaries of special
LEGISLATION. Privileges have been
pledged and granted in return for
money contributed to debauch cleo
tions What can be expected when
official authority is turned over to
the representatives of those who first
furnish the sinews of war and then
reimburse themselves out of the pock-
cts of the taxpayers?
So long as the Republican party
remains in power, it is powerless to
regenerate itself. 1t cannot attack
wrong-doing in high places without
disgracing many of it's prominent
members, and it, therefore, uses OPT
ates instead of the surgeons knife.
Its malefactors construe each Repub-
| lican victory as. an endorsement OF
their conduct, and threaten the party
with defeat if they are interfered with.
Not until that party passes through
period of fasting in the wilderness,
will the Republican leaders learn to
study public questions from the stand
point of the masses.
Publicity as to Contributions.
n 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 IN indignant pub
lie. refused to consent to law which
compels honesty in elections. When
the matter was brought up in the re-
cent Republican National Conven-
ton, the plank was repudiated by
vote of $50 to 81. Here, too, Mr.. Taft
has been driven to apologize for his
convention, and to declare himself in
favor of a publicity law; and yet, II
you will read what he says upon this
subject, you will find that his prom
ise falls far short of the requirements
of the situation. He says:
eff l am elected President, l shall
urge upon Congress, with every hope
of success, that law be passed re-
quiring the filing, in Fedral office,
of statement of the contributions
received by committees and candidates
in elections for members of Congress,
and in such other elections as are con-
stitutionally within the control OF
Congress-.
/ "T shall not embarrass him by ask
ing him upon what ne bases MS nope
of success: it is certainly not on any
encouragement he has received from
Republican leaders. 1t is sufficient
L. h io
If. in spite of the adverse action OF
his convention, he should succeed in
securing the enactment of the very
law which he favors, it would give but
partial relief He has read the DEM
ocratic platform; not only his lang
uage, but his evident alarm, indicates
that he has read it carefully. He even
had before him the action of the DEM
ocratic National Committee in inter-
preting and applying that platform;
and vet, he fails to say that he favors
the publication of the contributions
before the election. Of course, it
satisfies a natural curiosity to find
out how an election has been pur-
i chased, even when the knowledge
comes too late to be of service; but
why should the people be kept in
darkness until the election is past?
Why should the locking of the door
be delayed until the morse is gone?
Democrats Promise Publicity.
"How can the people hope to rule,
if they are not able to learn until after
the election what the predatory inter-
ests are doing?I The Democratic party
meets the issue honestly and courage
ously. 1t says:
"'We pledge the Democratic party
to the enactment of law prohibiting
any corporation from contributing to
a campaign fund, and any individual
from contributing an amount above
a reasonable maximum, and providing
for the publication, before election,
of all such contributions above rea-
sonable minimum.
Poplar Election of Senators.
Next to the corrupt use of money
the present method of electing United
States Senator'S is most responsible
for the obstruction of reforms. Every
4 remedial measure of a national char
acter must run the gauntlet of the
Senate. The President may person
ally incline toward a reform; the
House may consent to it, but as long
as the Senate obstructs the reform the
people must wait. The President may
heed a popular demand; the House