The Forrest City times., 1908-07-10


 It is eminently proper that this con. vention should define the Democratic attitude toward the regulation of transportation companies and call the attention of the country to the indis. putable fact that it was only after years of Democratic effort that an amendment was made to the interstate commerce law authorizing the commis- sion to establish reasonable rates whenever it appeared that an exist. ing schedule was unjust and unreason- able, The national platforms of the Republican party remained silent upon this great question for years and the fact that the necessary change was advocated by Republican president. who succeeded only through the aid of the Democrats in both branches of congress in placing the amendment upon our statute books, does not affect the credit to which our party Is en- titled for having worked consistently for such an enactment.
 Further amendment to our laws giv- ing the federal government super vision over the issuance of railroad stocks and bonds is demanded
 The fixing of transportation charges and the control of issuances of rail road securities are inseparably con nected with the actual valuation of railroads. The Democratic party be- lieves that the first thing to do Is to secure a physical valuation of the roads. that Is valuation of the solid rather than the liquid assets of rail road companies. While. on tho other hand, the Republican party, on a roll call in the convention. by an over whelming vote, took an uneauivoeal stand in favor of system of water rates without giving the people the benefit of meter
 We search in vain for one syllable h the Chicago platform pledgng the Republican party to retrenchment and reforms; and 1t is no mere coincidence that has given us billion-dollar ses- sion of congress on the eve of a na- tional election and the possible re- vision of the tariff.
 So long as we maintain the present method of electing United States sen ators we cannot hope that the upper chamber of congress will reflect the popular will.
 On five different occasions the house of representatives has passed a con stitutional amendment providing for the election of United States senators by the direct vote of the people, but these measures have been sandbagged in the senate by those who are deter. mined that the senate shall not be. come an integral part of our free. rep resentative institutions
 The Democratic party will continue to labor for the direct election of United States senators, and 1t appeals to the voters of all America to elect members of the different state legisla- lures who will pledge themselves to vote for no candidate for the United States senate that Is not in favor af this reform.
 On the bosom of the Pacific will be enacted the great commercial strug gles of the future, and the interests of American commerce in connection with the exposure of our western shores to any hostile attack will de- mand that the greater portion of the American navy shall be retained in the waters of the Pacific to preserve the peace of the world
 This magnificent western country of OnrS has pot oplv proya6 to our own people and the other white nations of the earth, but it has like wise proved alluring to the brown and yellow races of the east. Some pro- lection has been afforded by the ex- clusion of Chinese labor, but the evil is but half met if the immigration of Japanese, Koreans, Hindus and other Asiatic people be not excluded from our shores. Not only the white toilers of America, but all our people, with out respect to class or residence, are vitally interested In this menace to our social and industrial life from Asiastic quarters. and If this is to remain a white mans country. immediate steps should be taken to prevent Aslatic i'm. migration of whatsoever character.
 This national convention meets at a time when the angel of peace is lowering over the entire world and the nations of the world each day are strengthening those ties of friendship and common interest that will render war less frequent and permit mankind to turn their hands to the peaceable pursuits of life rather than to the de- struction of one another
 The Democratic party realizes the part that America must inevitably play in the affairs of the world and that We cannot escape participation in the settlement of every world problem that arises: but Americas weight and influence must ever be on the side of peace. on the side of justice. on the side of the oppressed; and if the will of the people shall commit to our hands the scepter of power. it will be used for the realization of the high American ideals that raise our own people to loftier and better things. and through our precepts and exam. ples contribute to the we'll being and laDDinpSS of all mankind