The Prescott daily news., 1908-08-12

to do What the soverelgns want done, and to do 1t in the way the sovereigns want it done. Platforms are entirely in harmony with this democratic idea A platform announces the party's po- sition on the questions which are at is- sue; and an official is not at liberty to use the authority vested in him to urge personal views which have not been submitted to the voters for their approval. If one is nominated upon a platform which Is not satisfactory to him, he must, if candid. either decline the nomination, or. in accepting it, pro- pose an amended platform in lieu of the one adopted by the convention. No such situation, however, confronts your candidate, for the platform upon which l was nominated not only contains nothing from which I dissent, but 1t specifically outlines all the remedial legislation which we can hope to se- cure during the next four years.
 Republican Challenge Accepted.
 The distinguished statesman who re- ceived the Republican nomination for president said, in his notification speech: "The strength of the Republican cause fin the campaign at hand is the fact that we represent the policies es- sential to the reform of known abuses, to the continuance of liberty and true prosperity. and that we are determined, as our platform uneQuivOcally declares. to maintain them and carry them on."
 In the name of the Democratic party, l accept the challenge, and charge that the Republican party is responsible for all the abuses which now exist in the federal government. and that 1t Is i'm potent to accomplish the reforms which are imperatively needed. Further, can not concur in the statement that the Republican platform unequivocally declares for the reforms that are nee essary; on the contrary, affirm that it openly and notoriously disappoints the hopes and expectations of reformers, whether those refoymers be Republic ans or Democrats. So far did the Re publican convention fall short of Its duty that the Republican candidate felt 1t necessary to add to his platform in several important particulars, thus re- buking the leaders of the party, upon whose cooperation he must rely for the enactment of remedial legislation
 As shall, in separate speeches, dis cuss the leading questions at issue, shall at this time conf1ne myself to the paramount question, and to the far reaching purpose of our party. as that purpose Is set forth in the platform.
 Shall the People Ruls3
 Our platform declares that the over shadowing issue which manifests itself in all the questions now under discus sion, 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 control their own govern ment, and use that government for the protection of their rights and for the promotion of their welfare? or shall the representatives of predatory wealth prey upon defenseless public, while the offenders secure immunity from subservient officials whom they raise to power by interruptions methods3 This is the issue raised by the known abuses" to which MT. Taft refers.
 Presidents indictment Against tho
 Party.
 In a message sent to congress last January. President Roosevelt said: "The attacks by these great corpora lions on the administrations actions have been given a wide circulation throughout the country. in the news