Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1908-08-21
why NO sn..-trust Legislation:

ers In the house Of representatives
were cocrced by public opinion into
the support Of an antitrust law which
had the endorsement of the president.
but the senate refused even to con-
slider the measure, and since that time
nant party to secure remedial legisla-
ton upon this subject.
Why No Railroad LesisIation7
For ten years the Interstate Com
mercc Commission has been asking for
an enlargement Of its powers, that 1t
might prevent rebates and discrimina-
tions. but Republican senate and a
Republican house Of representatives
1900 the Republican national conven-
ton was urged to endorse the demand
for railway legislation. but its platform
was silent on the subject. Even In
1904 the convention gave no pledge to
remedy these abuses. When the presi-
dent finally asked for legislation he
drew his inspiration from three Demo
cratic national platforms and he re-
ceived more cordial support from the
Democrats than from the Republicans.
The Republicans In the senate deliber-
ately defeated several amendments Of
ferrcd by Senator La Toilette and sup
ported by the amendments
embodying legisla ton asked by the In
~ tn 4
Of these amendments authorized the
ascertainment Of the value OF rail-
roads. This amendment was not only
defeated by the senate. but 1t was over.
whelmlngly 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 Il qualified way. IN favor OF
ascerta!ninS the value Of the railroads.
er-issue Of Stocks and Bonds.
Mr.. Taft complains of the Over-issue
OF stocks and bont; OF railroads, for
the unlawful enrIching Of directors
and for the parpose of concentrating
the control of the railroads under one
management" and the complaint IL
well founded. But. with president to
point out the evil. and Republican
congress to correct II. We find nothing
done for the protection OF the public.
Why: My honorable opponent has. by
his confession. relieved me Of the ne
cessity OF furnishing proof: he admits
the condition and he can not avoid the
logical conclusion that must be drawn
from the admission There Is no doubt
whatever that large majority Of the
voters Of the Republican party recog-
nize the deplorable situation which Mr..
Taft describes: they recognize that the
masses have had but little influence
upOa legislation or upon the ad-
ministration of the government, and
they nre beginning to understand
the cause. For generation the Re-
publican party has drawn Its cam
paign funds from the beneficiaries Of
special legislation. Privileges have
Gccl pledged and granted In return for
mo@cy contributed to debauch cleo
to-. What can be expected when Of
iici;.l authority Is turned over to the
representatives Of those who first fur
uish the sinews of war and then reim-
burse themselves out Of the pockets Of
the taxpayers:
Fasting In Wilderness Necessary.
So long as the Republican party re-
mains In power. II Is powerless to re-
generate itself. 1t can not attack
wronS-doins In high places without dis
sracing many Of Its prominent MEM
bcrs. and 1t. therefore. uses opiates In
stead NJ the surgeons knife. Its male
factors construe each Republican VIC
tory as an endorsement OF their con-
duct and threaten the party with de-
feat II they are interfered with. Not
until that party passes through a pe-
riod OF fasting in the wilderness, will
the Republican leaders learn to study
public questions from the standpoint
OF the masses. Just us with indiyid-
uals, 1.-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 a. to 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 q 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
to 04. 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
VIII find that his promise falls far short
Df the requirements Of the situation.
lie says:
IF | am elected president, 1 shall
urge upon congress. with every hope Of
success. that law be passed requiring
the liing. In federal office, Of a state
mcnt Of the contributions received by
committees and candidates In elections
Tor members Of congress, and In such
other elections as are cOnstitutionally
Within the control Of congress-"
l shall not embarrass him by asking
him upon what he bases his hope Of
success; II is certainly not OH any en-
couraGement he has received from Re
publican leaders. 1t Is sufficient to say
that II bis hopes were realized-if. In
spite OF the adverse action Of his con-
vention. he should succeed In securing
the enactment Of the very law which
he favors. 1t would give but partial re-
lief. He has read the Democratic plat
form: hot only his language. but his
evident alarm, Indicates that he IN
read 1t carefully. He even had before
him the action Of the Democratic na
tional committee In interpreting and
applying that platform: and yet, he
fai!s to say that he favors the publlca