The Democrat-sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1906-1935, 1908-08-20

of these amendments authorized the
ascertainment Of the value of rail
roads. This amendment was not only
defeated by the senate, but it was over
whelmingly 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 qualified way, in favor Of
ascertaining the value of the railroads
Over issue of Stocks and Bonds.
Mr. Taft complains of the over-issue
Of stocks and bonds of railroads, "for
the unlawful enriching of directors
and for the purpose of concentrating
the control of the railroads under one
management" and the complaint is
we'll founded But with president to
point out the evil, and Republican
congress to correct it, we find nothing
done for the protection of the public.
Why? My honorable opponent has, by
his confession, relieved me of the ne
cessty 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 Il large majority of the
voters Of the Republican party recog-
nize the deplorablo situation which Mr..
Taft describes; they recognize that the
masses have had bat little influence
upon, legislation or upon the adj
ministration of the government, and
they are beginning to understand
the cause. For generation the Re
publican party has drawn its cam
paign funds from the beneticiaries of
special Legislation. Privileges have
been pledged and granted in return for
money contributed to debauch cleo
tions. What can be expected when Of
fetal authority is turned over to the
representatives of these who first fur
nsh the sinews of war and then REIN
burse themselves out OF the pockets of
the taxpayers?
Fasting In Wilderness Necessary.
So long as the Republican party re-
mains in power, it is powerless to re-
generate itself. 1t can not attack
wrong-doing in high places without dis
gracing many of its prominent mcm
bers, and it, therefore, uses opiates in-
stead of 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 IL they are interfered with. Not
until that party passes through Pc
riod of fasting In the wilderness, will
lars, tn Sti lV
public questions from the standpoint
Of the masses. Just rs with indiyid-
uals, ''the cares of this world and the
deceltfulness 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 as to Campaign Contribu-
tons.
An effort has been made to secure
Legislation requiring publicity rs 10
campaign contributions and eXpendl-
lures; but the Republican leaders, even
in the face OF an indignant public, re-
iuoNh w 'oii'SlIb ~ u law w NlIllli Nbult
compel honesty in elecrions, When the
matter WAS brought up In the recent
Republican national convention, the
plank was repudated by vote Of $50
to o.. Here, too, Mr. Taft has been
driven TO apologize for his convention
and to declare himself In favor of
publicity law; ana yet, If you will read
what he says upon This subject, you
will find that his promise falls far short
of the requirements of the situation,
He says:
"lf | am elected president shall
urge upon congress, with every hope of
success, that Il law he passed requiring
The filing, In Il federal Office, of II state
mont of the contributions received by
committees and candidates in elections
for members of congress, and in such
other elections as are constiiulonally
within the control of congress"
| shall not emGarrass him by asking
him upon what hp bases his hope of
success; II Is certainty not on any en-
couragemenl he has received from Re
publican leaders. II Is sufficient TO say
that If his hopes We're realized IT, in
spite OF the adverse action of his CON