The Monte Vista journal. (Monte Vista, Rio Grande County, Colo.) 1888-1921, 1908-08-15

have had intimation that Mr.. Taft was
FESTIVE under the demands OF the highly
protected industries. And yet the mfr
ence OF the manufacturers. who have for
Is years contributed to the Republican
campaign fund. and who in return have
framed the tariff schedules, has been
suffcient to prevent tariff reform. As the
present campaign approached. both the
president and Mr.. Taft declared in favor
Of tariff revision, but set the date OF
revision after tho election. But the pres
sure brought to bear by the protected
interests has been great enough to pre-
vent any attempt 1t tariff reform before
the election: and the reduction prom
ised after the election 10 80 hedged about
with qualifying phrases. that no one can
estimate with accuracy the sum total Of
tariff reform to be expected in case OF
Republican success. II the past can be
taken a. . guide, the Republican party
will BE- no obligated by campaign con-
tributions from the benehciaries Of pro-
lection. a. to make that party powerless
to bring to the country any material re-
lief from the present tariff burdens.
Why No Railroad lsslsiationf
For ten years the Interstate Commerce
Commission has been asking for an en-
largement OF its powers. that II might
prevent rebates and discrimination but
. Republican senate and q Republican
house OF representatives were unmoved
by its entreaties. In 1900 the Republican
national convention was urged to indorse
tho demand for railway legislation. but
Its platform was silent on the subject.
Even in 1901, the convention gave no
pledge to remedy these abuses. When
the president finally asked for legislation.
he drew his inspiration from three Demo-
cratic national platforms and he received
more cordial support from the Democrats
than from the Republicans The Republ-
cans In the senate deliberately defeated
several amendments offered BY Senator
I.aFolletts and supported by the Demo-
asked by the Interstate Commerce Com
mission. One OF these amendments au
thorixed the entertainment Of the val
ue OF railroads. This amendment was not
only defeated by the senate. but II was
overwhelmingly rejected by the recent
Republican national convention and the
Republican candidate has sought to res
cue his party from the disastrous results
OF this act by expressing himself. In
qualified way. in favor Of ascertaining
the value OF the railroads.
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 man.
agement." and tho complaint il well
founded. But. with n president to point
out the evil, and q Republican congress
to correct II. we ind nothing done for
the protection of the public. Why? My
honorable opponent has, by his confess
sion. relieved me OF the necessity OF fur
nishinK proof: he admits the condition and
he can not avoid the logical conclusion
that must be drawn from the admission
Publicity ~ to Campaign contrlbu-
tions.
An effort has been made to secure legis-
lation requiring publicity as to campaign
ri nd nStt
Republican leaders. even In the face OF
an indignant public. refused to consent
to a law which would compel honesty in
elections. When the matter was brought
up In tho recent Republican national
convention. the plank was repudiated by
vote Of $50 to ~. Here. too. Mr.. Taft
has been driven to apologize for his con-
vention and to declare himself in favor
Of . publicity law: and yet. II you will
read what he says upon this subject. you
will md that his promise falls far short
OF the requirements Of the situation. He
snya:
"If I am elected president. ] shall urge
upon congress. with every hope Of sue
cess. that q law be passed requiring the
Ming. in q federal ONCE. of n statement
OF the contributions received by com
mittces and candidates In elections for
members OF congress. and In such other
elections a. are constitutionally within
tho control OF congress-"
How can the people hope TO rule. II they
are not able to learn until after the cleo
ton whnt the predatory interests are do
| ing? The Democratic party meets the
issue honestly and couraGeously. II sAys:
I'VE pledge the Democratic party 70
tho enactment OF law prohibiting any
corporation from contributing TO . cam
paign fund. and any individual from con-
maximum. and providing for the publ
cation, before election. Of all such con-
tributions above . reasonable minimum"
The Democratic national committes I'm.
mstiatsiy proceeded to interpret and ap-
ply this plank. Announcing that no con-
tributions would b. received from cor.
porations. that no individual would b al.
lowed 10 contribute more than olo.ooo. and
that all contributions above 90 would
b made public before the slsction-ehoes
received before October Is 70 b made
public on Or before that day. those ~.
ceived aftcrward 70 be made public on
the day when received. and no such con-
tributions 10 b accepted within three
days Of the election. The expenditures
are to b published after the election.
Here 10 . plan which 10 complete and
effective.
Popular Election ~ osnatees.
Next to the corrupt uss Of money. the
present method Of cicctinx United states
senators 10 most responsible for the oh.
the adoption OF the constitution. the do
mand for the popular election Of senator's.
while finding Increased exprrsaion. did
not become . dominant sentiment A
constitutional amendment had from time
to tinse been suxxestcd and the matter
had bscn more or less discussed In Q few
OF the states. but the movement had not
reached . point where Il manifested Il.
self through congressional action. In the
F1sty.second congress-. however. Q reso-
tuition WAS reported from . house COM