The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1908-08-13

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 a defenseless public, while
the offenders secure immunity from
subservient 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 ::
1.-THE attacks by these great corpora
lions on the administration actions
have been given a wide circulation
throughout the country, in the news
papers and otherwise, by those writer's
and speakers who, consciously or I'M
act as the representatives
OF predatory wealth-of the wealth ac-
on giant scale by all forms
of iniquity, ranging from the oppres.
sion Of wage earners to unfair and un-
wholesome methods of crushing out
competition, and to defrauding the
public by stock jobbing and the manip-
ulation of securities. Certain wealthy
men of this stamp, whose conduct
should be abhorrent to every man Of
decent conscience, and who
commit the hideous wrong Of teaching
our young men that phenomenal bust
ness success must ordinarily be based
on dishonesty. have, during the last
few months, made it apparent that
they have banded together to work for
a reaction. Their endeavor is to
overthrow and discredit all who hon
estly administer the law, to prevent
any additional legislation which would
check and restrain them, and to secure.
if possible. n freedom from all re-
straint which will permit every un-
wrong-doer to do what he
wishes unchecked, provided he has
enough ey."-What an arraignment
of the predatory interests!
Is the presidents Indictment true?
And, if true, against whom was the
indictment directed? Not against the
Democratic party.
Mr.. Taft Endorses the Indictment.
Mr.. Taft says that these evils have
crept in during the last ten years. He
declares that. during this time. some
prominent and influential members
of the community. spurred by financial
success and in their hurry for greater
wealth, became unmindful of the COM
mon rules Of business honesty and
fidelity. and Of the limitations imposed
by law upon their actions." and that
1.-THE revelations of the breaches of
trusts. the disclosures as to rebates
and determinations by railroads, the
accommodating evidence of the viola.
lions of the antitrust laws. by num-
Der OF corporations. and the over-issue
of stocks and bonds Of interstate rail-
roads for the unlawful enriching of d.
rectors and for the purpose of concen.
trating the control of the railroads un.
der one management,'-al these. he
charges. "quickened the conscience of
the people and brought on a moral
awakening"
During all this time. beg to remind
you Republican officials presided in the
Executive department.. filled the cab
met, dominated the senate. controlled
the house of Representatives and occu-
pied most Of the federal judgeships.
Four years ago the Republican plat
form boastfully declared that since
1S6O-with the exception Of two years
the Republican party had been in con-
troll Of part or of all the branches Of
the federal government; that for two
years only was the Democratic party in
a position to either enact or repea; a
law. Having drawn the salaries; hav.
ing 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? If existing laws
are sufficient. why have they not been
enforced? All Of the executive ma
chinery of the federal government is
in the hands of the Republican party.
Are new laws necessary? Why have
they not been enacted2 With Re-
publican president to recommend, With
a Republican senate and house to carry
out his recommendations. why does the
Republican candidate plead for further
time in which to do what should have
been done long ago? Can Mr.. Taft
promise to be more strenuous in the
prosecution Of wrong-doers than the
present executive? Can he ask for a
larger majority in the senate than his
party now has? Does he need more
Republicans in the house of represent
atives or speaker with more un!im.
tied authority.
Why No Tariff Reform7
The presidents close friends have
been promising for seyera, wears that