The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1908-08-14

structs the passage of the resoiu-
ton, notwithstanding the fact that
the voters of the United States, by
an overwhelming majority, demand
lit. And this refusal is the more
si*alficaat wen t is. Te'ae;nos.r
that number. of senators owe their
election to great corporate interests.
Three Democratic national platforms
the platforms of 1900, 1904 and
19OS-specifically call for a change
in the constitution which will put
the election of senators in the hands
of the voters, and the proposition
has been endorsed by number OF
the smaller parties, but no Repu5li-
can national convention has been
willing to champion the cause OF
the people on this subject.
The subject was ignored by
the Republican national convention
in 1900; it was ignored in 1904,
and the proposition was explicitly
repudiated in 1908, for the recent
republican national convention, by
a vote of S66 to ia, rejected the
plank endorsing the popular election
of senators-and this was done in
the convention which nominated Mr..
Taft, few delegates from his own
state voting for the plank.
Personal Inclination Not Sufficient.
In his notification speech, the Re-
publican candidate, speaking of the
election of senator's by the people
SAYS: Personally, am inclined to
favor it but it is hardly party quesl
tion." What is necessary TO make
this party question? When the
Democratic convention endorses a
proposition by unanimous vote,
and the Republican convention re-
jects the proposition by a vote OF
seven to one, does it not become an
issue between the parties? Mr.. Taft
can not remove the question IRON;
the arena of politics by expressing
a personal inclination towards the
Democratic position. For several
wears he has been connected with
the administration. Wha: has he
ever said or done to bring this ques-
ton before the public? What en-
thusiasm has he shown in the re-
formation of the senate? What in
fuence could he exert In behalf OF
a reform which his party has open
ly and notoriouslN condemned IN It's
convention and to which ne is at
tached only by belated expression
of personal inclination?
The Gateway to Other Reforms.
Shall the people rule?' Every
remedial measure of a national char
actor must run the gauntlet Of the
senate. The president may personal
lv incline toward a reform; the house
may consent to it; but as long as the
senate obstructs the reform, the peo-
ple must wait. The president may
heed a. popular demand; the house
may yield to public opinion; but as
long as the senate is defiant, the rule
of the people is defeated. The De-
mocratic platform very properly de-
scribes the popular election of sena-
tors as 1.-The gateway to other ma
tional reforms" Shall We open the
gate, or shall we allow the exploit
ing interests to bar the way by the
control of this branch of the federal
legislature? Through Democratic
victory, and through a Democratic
victory only can the people secure
the popular election of senator's. The
smaller parties are unable to secure
the reform; the Republican party,
under its present leadership, is res
olutely opposed to it; the Democra-
tic party stands for it and has bold
ly demanded it. If | am elected to
the presidency, those who, are
elected upon the ticket with me will
be, like myself, pledged 10 this re-
form, and shall convene congress
in extraordinary session Immediately
after Inauguration. and ask, among
other things, for the fulfllment OF
this platform pledge.
House Rules Dcspotic.
The third instrumentality employ
ed to defeat the vii of the people
is found in the rules of the house Of
representatives. Our platform points
out that the house of representa-
tives was designed by the fathers of
the constitution, to be the popular
branch of our government, respon-
sive to the public" and adds:
THE house OF representatives. as
controlled in recent years by the Re-
r,,1li"au party. HIS ceased to be de-
,;'a!a:iyo anG legislative BODY. re-
spnsive to the will Of Il majority of
the members. but has come under
the absolute domination Of the speak
er, who mas entire control of its
deliberations, and powers Of legisla-
ton.
I'VE have observed with amaze
nenl the popular branch of ur-fed-
cral government helpless to obtain
either the consideration or enact
ment of measures desired by ma
joritv of it's members.
This arraignment is fully justifi-
ed. The reform Republicans in the
house of representatives, when in
the minority in their own party. are
as helpless to obtain hearing or to