The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1908-08-12

'h"' pun pOco ~ SCI loitu III tue pldt-
form
Shall the People Rule?
Our platform declares that the
overshadowing issue which manifests
itself in all the questions now under
discussion, is, "Shall the people
rule?" No matter which way we
turn: no matter to what subject we
address ourselves. the same question
confronts us: Shall the people CON
troll their own government, and use
that government for the protection of
their rights and for the promotion of
their welfare? or shall the represent
tatives of predatory wealth prey upon
a defenseless public. while the Offend
ers secure immunity from subserv-
lent officials whom they raise to
power by INSCRIPTIONS methods?
This is the issue raised by the
known abuses" to which Mr.. Taft
refers.
Presidents Indictment Against the
Party.
In message sent to congress last
January. President Roosevelt said:
THE attacks by these great corpora
lions on the administrator actions
have been given wide circulation
throughout the country, in the news
papers and otherwise, by those
writer's and speakers who, consciously
or unconsciously. act as the represen-
tatlves of predatory wealth-of the
wealth accumulated on a giant scale
by all forms of iniqulty, ranging from
the oppression of wage earners TO I'M
fair and unwholesome methods OF
crushing out competition, and to de-
fraudng the public by stock jobbing
and the manipulation of securities.
Certain wealthy men of this stamp.
whose conduct should be abhorrent
to every man of ordinarily decent
conscience, and who commit the
hideous wrong of teaching our young
men that phenomenal business sue
cess must ordinarily be based on dis
honesty, have, during the last few
months. make it apparent that they
have banded together to work for a
reaction. Their endeavor Is to over
throw and discredit all who honestly
administer the law. TO prevent aiiw
additional legislation which would
check and restrain them, and to Sc
cure. If possible. a freedom from all
restraint which will permit every un-
scrupulous wrong-doer to do what he
wishes unchecked. provided he has
enough money. What an arraign-
ment of the predatory interests,
Is the presidents Indictment trues
And. II true, against whom was the
Indictment directed? Not against the
Democratic party.
MIR. Taft Endorses the Indictment.
Mr.. Taft says that these evils have
crept in during the last ten years.
some prominent and influential
members of the community. spurred
by financial success and in their
hurry for greater wealth. became IN
mindful of the common rules of bust
ness honesty and fidelity, and of the
Limitations imposed by law upon their
actions" and that "the revelations
of the. breaches Of trusts. the dis
closures as to rebates and dscrimina-
lions by railroads, the accumulating
evidence of the violations of the anti
trust laws. by a number of corpor>
tions. and the over-issue of stocks
and bonds of interstate railroads for
the unlawful enriching of directors
and for the purpose of concentrating
the control of the railroads under one
management. ali these, he charges
"quickened the conscience of the peo-
pie and brought on a moral waken-
ing"
During all this time, beg to re-
mind you. Republican officials pre-
sided in the executive department.
filled the cabinet. dominated the SEN
ate. controlled the house of repre-
sentatiyes and occupied most of THE
federal judgeships. Four years ago
the Republican platform boastfully
declared that since 1S60-with the
exception of two years-the Republic
can party had been in control of part
or of all the branches OF federal gov
eminent; that for two years only
was the Democratic party in posi-
ton to either enact or repeal law.
Having drawn the salaries; having
enjoyed the honors; having secured
the prestige, let the Republican party
accept the responsibility.
Republican Party Responsible.
Why were these known abuses"
permitted to develop? Why have
they not been corrected? II existing
laws are sufficient, 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 necessary
Why have they been enacted With
la Republican president to recommend
with Republican senate and house
to carry out his recommendations.
why docs the Republican candidate
plead for further time In which to
do what should have been done long
Iago? Can Mr.. Taft promise to be
more strenuous in the prosecution OF
wrong-doers than the present execu-
tive2 can he ask for a larger ma