Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1908-08-14

hiS SVuASoStVot iSikeheu Tue VI tue ne
cessity of furnishing proof; hc admits
the Condition and he can not avoid the
logical conclusion that must be drawn
from the admission. There IL no doubt
whatever that a large majority OF the
voters OF the Republican party recog-
nize the deplorable situation which Mr..
Tart describes; they recognize that the
masses have had but little influence
upon legislation or upon the ad-
ministration of the government. and
they are beginning to understand
the cause. For generation the Re-
publican party has drawn it's cam
paign funds from the beneficiaries OF
special legislation. Privileges have
been pledged and granted in return for
money contributed 10 debauch cleo
tons. What can be expected when Of
fetal authority is turned over To the
representatives or those who first fur-
nish the slnews OF war aud 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, II is powerless TO re-
generate itself. 1t can not attack
wrong-doing in high places without dis
gracing many of its prominent men,
bers, and il, therefore. uses oplates In
stead OF the surgeons knife. Its male
factors construe each Republican VIC
tory as an endorsement of their con-
duct ana threaten the party with de-
feat IL they are lnterfered With. Not
uptu
rlod OF fasting In the wilderness, Will
the Republican leaders learn to study
public questions from the standpoint
of the masses. Just as with indiyid-
uals. "the cares OF this world and the
deceitfulness of riches choke the truth"
SO in politics, when party leaders serve
far away from home aud are not In
constant contact with the voters, con-
tinued party success blinds their eyes
TO the needs of the people aud makes
them deaf TO the cry OF distress.
Publicity as to Campaign contribu-
tions.
An effort has been made 10 secure
legislation requiring publicity as to
campaign contributions and expend-
lures: but the Republican leaders, even
In the face of an indignant public, re-
fused TO consent to law which would
compel honesty in elections. When the
matter was brought up in the recent
Republican national convention. the
plank was repudiated 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 a
publicity law; and yet, II 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:
III | am elected president, I shall
urge upon congress. with every hope OF
success. that law be passed requiring
the filing, in federal office, of state
ment of the contributions received by
committees aud candidates In elections
for members OF congress. and in such
other elections rs are constitutioually
within the control OF congress-
| shall not embarrass him by asking
him upon what he bases his hope OF
success: it is certainly not on any en-.
enlargement he has received from Re.
publican leaders. 1t is sufficient to say
that IL his hopes We're realized-if. In
-?lte OF the adverse action of his con-
vention. he should succeed In securing
the enactment OF the very law which
he favors, it would give but partial re-
lief. He has read the Democratic plat
form; not only his language. hut his
evident alarm. indicates that he has
read II carefully. He even had before
him the action OF the Democratic ma
tional committee In interpreting and
applying that platform; and yet. he
fails to say that he favors the publica-
tion OF the contributions before the
election. OF course, 1t satisfies q nat
ural curiosity 10 find oIt how an cleo
ton has been purchased, even when
the knowledge comes too late to be OF
service, but why should the people be
kept in darkness until the election is
past? Why should the locking or the
door be delayed until the horse Is gone?
An Election a Public Affair.
An election is a public affair. The
People. exercising the right TO select
their officials aud TO decide upon the
several polling places on election day
and register their will. What excuse
can be given for secrecy as to the In
fiuences at work? IL man, pecun-
iarily interested in concentrating the
control OF the railroads in one manage
ment," subscribes n large sum to aid in
carrying the election, why should his
part In the campaign be concealed I'M
til he has put the officials under obll-
CATION to him? II trust magnate
100000 TO elect political
friends TO Office, with view to pre-
venting hostile legislation. why should
that fact be concealed until his friends
are securely seated in their official po-
This Is not new question; II is a
question which has been agitated-a
question which the Republican leaders
fully underestimate question which the
Republican candidate has studied, and
yet he refuses to declare himself In ia
vor OF the legislation absolutely neces-
sary, namely, legislation requiring pub
lication before the election.
Democratic Party Promises Publicity.
How can the people hope to rule, if
they are not able to learn until after
the election what the predatory inter-
ests are doing? The Democratic party
meets the issue honestly and coura-
geously. 1t says:
I'VE pledge the Democratic party to
the enactment of law prohibiting any
corporation from contributing TO
campaign fund, and any Individual
from contributing an amount above q