The Washington times., 1908-08-12

those who first furnish the sinews OF
war, and then reimburse themselves out
or the pockets of the taXpayersE
Fasting IN Wilderness.
So long as the Republican party re-
mains in power, it is pOwerless to re-
generate itself II cannot attack wrong
doing in high places without disgrace
ing many of it's prominent members.
and 1t. therefore, uses opiates instead
OF the surgeons knife. It's malefac-
tors construe each Republican victory
as an Endorsement Of their conduct, and
threaten the party with defeat If they
are iuterfered with.
Not until that party passes through
period of fasting in the wilderness
viii the Republican leaders learn tC
study public questions from the stand
point OF the masses. Just as with indt-
viduals, the cares of this world and
the deceitfulness Of riches choke the
truth" SO in politics, when party lead
not IN constant contact with the voters,
continued party success blinds their
eyes to the needs of the people and
makes them deaf 10 the cry Of distress
Campaign Publicity.
An effort has been made to secure
legislation requiring publicity as to
campaign contributions and eXpendi-
turesi but the Republican leaders. even
in the face Of an indignant public re-
fused to consent TO a law which would
compel honesty in elections. When the
matter was brought up in the recent
Republican national convention, the
plank was repudIated by q vote Of $50
10 81 Here too, Mr.. Taft has been
driven TO apologize for his convention,
and TO declare himself in favor of a
nm III
what he says upon this subject, you
VIII ind that his promise fails far short
Of the requirements OF the situation.
He says;
II 1 am elected President, 1 shall
urge upon Congress. with every hope
OF success, that d law be passed re-
curing the Ming, ia a Federal Office,
OF a statement OF the contributions T.
celVed by committees and candidates IN
elections Tor members OF Congress, and
IN such other elections as are consti-
tutionally within the control OF Con-
gress"
shall not embarrass him by asking
him upon what he bases his hope of
success; IL is certainly not on any en-
enlargement he has received from Re
publican leaders. It is sufficient to say
JnaL II his hopes We're realiZed-if in
spite or the adverse action of his con-
vention, he should succeed IN securing
the enactment OF the very law which he
favors, 10 would give but partial relief
lie has read the Democratic platform;
not only his language. but his evident
alarm, indicates that he fhas read IT
carefully.
lie even had before him the action OF
the Democratic national committee IN
interpreting and applying that platform;
and yet, he fails TO say that ne fayOrs
The publication OF the contributions be-
fore the election. OF course, it satisfies
a natural curiosity TO ind out low an
election has been purchased, 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 horse is gone?
Election Public Affair.
An eelction is a public affair. The
people exercising the right 20 select
their officials and TO decide upon the
policies 10 be pursued. proceed u their
several polling places en- election day
and register their viii. What excuse can
be given for secrecy as TO the influences
at work? If man. pecuniarily inter
ested in concentrating the control of
the railroads in one management" sub
scribes a large sum 20 aid IN carrying
the election, why should his part fn
the campaign be concealed until he has
put the officials under obligation TO him?
II a trust maguate contributes 10000
TO elect political friends to office. with
a view to preventing hostile legislation.
why should that fact be concealed until
his friends are securely seated IN their
OfAcIal pOsiUOns2
This Is 1~t a new question, IL is a
question which has been agitated-a
question which the Republican leaders
fully understand question which the
Republican candidate has studied. and
yet he refuses 10 declare himself in ia
vOr of the legislation absolutely neces-
sary, namely. legislation requiring pub
LEGATION before the election