The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-03-20

but the consumer, who Is the victim OF
4he tr,ist---what about him? The fact
that Governor Hughes Is not more
anxious to prevent Injustice to few
Stockholders than a much larger num-
Der OF consumers indicates the point
of view from which he looks at public
questions. His veto OF the 2-cent fare
bill Is another illustration. He gave
the benefit OF the doubt to the railroad
instead Of giving 1t to the people.
Says Taft IL UNIT.
.rwhat has Secretary Taft done or Is
he doing to protect the public from
the misuse of corporate powerg What
specific legislation does he demand for
the extsrriination of the trusts None.
when he comes to the discussion of the
tariff question he Ia much more con-
cerned about Republican victory than
he is about tariff reform. because he Is
not willing TO jeopardlze q Republican
victory by immediate tariff reform
"But / desire to present what re-
gard rs conclusive evidence of Secre-
tary Taft's unfitness to deal with the
question. You Will find II IN govern
ment report OF the hearings before the
Committee of the House of Represent
atives on 1nsu1ar Affairs in the Fifty
eighth Congress. Secretary Taft was
witness before the committee There
was in the charter of the Manila Rail
way n provision that at the end of 100
years the railway should revert to the
Spanish government The company had
claims against the United States for
occupation of the railroad for nine
months Secretary Taft explained that
he attempted to settle this claim by
giving to the railroad perpetual fran
chise. The point that desire to make
is this: that Secretary Taft was Will
ing to fasten upon the Filipino people
n perpetual franchise and give to
railroad company the power to hold
this franchise forever. The trouble Is
that Secretary Taft looks at public
franchies from the standpoint of the
men who own and operate the corpora
lions which need regulation. whereas
reforms must come from those who
look at the question from the stand
point Of the masses OF the people.
ct have taken the three Republicans
who have been mentioned most in con-
nection with the presidency. l have
not included Senator La Toilette. who
is. believe, a real reformer, and
who has boldly championed reform
measures. do not mention him be-
cause outside of his own State he does
not seem to have any influential sup
porters for the Republican nomna-
ton, and in. his own State he has had
a ten-yea.s fight against corporate
Influences.
All Three Are Biased.
But President Roosevelt is the lead
err of the reform sentiment in the
Republican party and yet he favors
national interpretations. Secretary Taft
is the Presidents chosen candidate for
the Republican nomination, and behold
how biased he Is in favor Of the COR
porations as against the public Gov
ernor Hughes, who is sometimes put |
In the class of reformers. although
the chosen representative of the re |
dictionary element. spends more time
warning the public against injustice |
TO stockholders than in devising rene.
dies which Will insure the public
against exploitation.
Why Democracy? Because the Dem
cSratic party is the only party sufi-
GENTLY large to give hope of sue
cess and sufficiently democratic to give
hope Of relief after victory has been
won"