The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1908-08-19

less to bring to the country any ma
teria relief from the present tariff
burdens.
Why No Antitrust Legislation7
A few years ago the Republican lead
ers in the house of representatives
were coerced by public opinion into
the support OF an antitrust law which
had the endorsement of the president,
but the senate refused even to con-
slider the measure, and since that time
no effort has been made by the dOmi-
nant party to secure remedial legisla-
ton upon this subject.
Why No Railroad Legislation7
For ten years the Interstate Com
merce Commission has been asking for
an enlargement of its powers, that it
might prevent rebates and discrlmina-
lions, but Republican senate and a
Republican house of representatives
were unmoved by its entreaties. In
1900 the Republican national conven-
ton was urged to endorse the demand
for railway legislation, but its platform
was silent on the subject. Even in
1904 the convention gave no pledge to
remedy these abuses. When the presi-
dent finally asked for legislation he
drew his inspiration from three Demo
cratic national platforms and he re-
celved more cordial support from the
Democrats than from the Republicans.
The Republicans in the senate deliber-
koI 70, Of
ferred by Senator La Toilette and sup
ported by the observation-disclosures
embodying legislation asked by the In
terstate Commerce Commission. One
of these amendments authorized the
ascertalnment of the value of rail
roads. This amendment was not only
defeated by the senate, but It was over
whelmingly rejected by the recent Re-
publican national convention, and the
Republican candidate has sought to res
cue his party from the disastrous re-
suits Of this act by expressing him
self, in a qualified way, in favor OF
ascertaining the value Of the railroads.
Over-ssue Of Stocks and Bonds.
Mr.. Taft complains of the Over-issue
of stocks and bonds of railroads, for
the unlawful enrlching Of directors
and for the purpose Of concentrating
the control Of the railroads under one
management" and the complaint Is
we'll founded. But, with a president to
point out the evil and a Republican
congress to correct it, we find nothing
No Of no r,trh1fo
Why? My honorable opponent has, by
his confession, relieved me of the ne
cessity Of furnishing proof; he admits
the condition and he can not avoid the
logical conclusion that must be drawn
from the admission. There is no doubt
whatever that large majority Of the
voters Of the Republican party recog-
nize the deplorable situation which Mr..
Taft describes; they recognize that the
masses have had but little influence
upon legislation or upon the ad-
mlnistratlon of the government, and
they are beginning to understand
the cause. For a generation the Re
publican party has drawn its cam
palgn funds from the beneficiaries of
special legislation. Privileges have
been pledged and granted in return for
money contributed to debauch cleo
lions. What can be expected when Of
fetal authority Is turned over to the
representatives of those who first fur
nish the sinews of war and 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, it is powerless TO re-
generate itself. 1t can not attack
wrong-doing in high places without dis
gracing many Of its prominent mem
bers, and it, therefore, uses opiates in
stead of the surgeons knife. Its male
factors construe each Republican vic
tory as an endorsement of their con-
duct and threaten the party with de-
feat if they are interfered with. Not
until that party passes through pc
Rod of fasting in the wilderness, Will
the Republican leaders learn to study
public questions from the standpoint
of the masses. Just as with individ-
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 and are not in
constant contact with the voters, con-
tlnued party success blinds their eyes
to the needs Of the people and makes
them deaf to the cry of distress.
Publicity as to Campaign Contribu-
tons.
An effort has been made to secure
legislation requiring publicity as to
campaign contributions and expendi-
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 a vote of $50
to "a. Here, too, Mr.. Taft has been
driven To aDOlOpiZa for his convention