The Washington times., 1908-07-07

DENVER. July Theodore B. Bell,
Of California. as temporary chairman OF
the Democratic convention, spoke to-
day as follows:
I'VE have assembled at a time wnen
the public conscience is demanding hon
esty Of purpose in the men who under
take 10 direct the affairs OF state The
public eye is keenly sensitive Of every
political movement. and our proceedings
here will be approved according to the
degree Of sincerity appearing in the
work of this convention.
There is a widespread belief, founded
upon evidence Of a convincing character.
that the party in power has not been
true TO its trust. that il has betrayed
the common interest into the hands Of
the enemies of good government. there
by forfeitng its right and destroying its
ability 70 rule in the name of the
people.
Apparent to everyone is the fact that
way down deep in the heart OF the
Republican convention at Chicago there
was a feeling Of anger and resentment
over the popular Clamor for reforms
and II is equally patent that there is
no bona fide intention on the part OF
the Republican party Of granting any
reforms, if the machinery of that party
can be retained in present hands.
A Paper Platform.
Its paper platform. divided like an
cient Gaul into three parts-barren
promises, makeshifts and evasions. il
IS hoped Will make a good campaign
transparency; but no one seriously be-
Heves that the Republican party really
indorses that neutral manuscript which
held the convention together until IL
could ratify the nomination Of a Presi-
Dental candidate
Considering the present state Of the
public mind, is ii any wonder that our
conduct is being closely scrUtinized
and is IL not incumbent upon US TO see
that the intent and action of this mag
nlhcent gathering OF a nations demOC-
racy shall clearly reflect the people S
will?
approaching our great task in a man.
y, dignihed manner, imbued with the
loftiest sentiments of patriotism. am
bilious 10 throw every safeguard around
the liberties OF our people. determined
TO stamp out the abuses that are con-
suming the substance OF the nation, let
us proceed TO our appointed duty with
the sustaining consciousness that we
are responsible alone 20 God and 20
our country for the justice OF our
CauEc-
Three Things.
There are three things that this con
ventiou should do. II ought 10 present
IN 4 plain and intelligent manner the
serious Industrial and political condi-
tiOns that are disturbing the peace and
happiness Of our country. We should
then proceed to a courageous exposure
Of the Republican policies that are CO.
operating with private greed in the gen
eral oppression of the people. And, last
", and most important Of all, we must
exhibit a readiness and an ability to
grasp the problems Of the hour and TO
effect their solution in a manner that
Will satisfy the sober common sense OF
the multitudes whose interests are al
stake.
Among the great evils that afflict the
country at the present time IS the abuse
OF corporate power Al first, the ad-
vancing aggresslons OF the corporations
are not disCernible to the common eye,
for every move is carefully covered up
until sufficient political strength is at
tained 10 defy the protests of the people
Thus the constant and insidiO':s in
vasion Of the peoples rights finaliy re-
suits in a species OF arrogance and de-
hance so formidable IN its appearance
that the body Of the people. in fear Of
even worse asgressiOns. hesitate to as
(Ccnfinuad IN Ninth p,~aN