The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1908-07-10
BELLS SPEECH KEYNOTE
OF COMING CAMPAIGN
Temporary Chairman of Democratic
National Convention Outlines the
Aims of the Party

dices and fears to deter them from
casting their influence on the side of
wholesome reforms. The cry of con-
fiscation is the historic defense of
usurpation. Let the people take warn
ing. Whenever the wrongs of today
become the vested rights of tomorrow
the nation is in deadly peril
Democratic Party's Position.
The Democratic party is not the
enemy of property; but to the con-
trary, 1t has always stood and will
continue to stand firmly against every
species of aggression that would de-
stroy or weaken the right of any man
to enjoy the rewards to which his pa
thence, his skill, his industry and his
economy enroll him. Our party ap-
proves that feeling of pride which al
ways accompanies the possession Of
property, and it commends an indi-
vidual ownership in the soil that will
bring to the homes of America more
of the conveniences, comforts and lux
uries of life. Against the evils of
special privileges we urge the benefits
of equal opportunity, in order that
there may be more landowners, more
homes, and more happiness among the
masses.
The Democratic party is not an ene-
my of all corporations. 1t recognizes
their great value in the industrial
world. Through the agency Of incor-
poration scattered wealth is brought
together and given a driving force
that it would not otherwise possess.
Great enterprises are thereby under
taken and undeveloped resources of
the country added to the wealth of the
world
No rational man can be opposed to
corporations as such, and the asser-
ton that the Democratic party is
waging an indiscriminate war against
this convenient form of transacting
business has no foundation in fact. 1t
is the abuse only of corporate power
that we seek to eliminate.
Control of Corporations.
Viewed in the light of a great moral
institution the control of corporations
should remain a question of common
concern rather than a political one,
but the shameful indecency of the Re-
publican party in permitting it's forces
to be controlled and operated by the
most offending corporations of the
country throws the problem into the
political arena and compels the pub
lie to choose between the Democratic
party, that will, and the Republican
party, that will not, place some re-
strictions on incorporated greed.
Some one suggested that this con-
vention should publish an indictment
against the Republican party. We can
probably expedite the proceedings by
entering the plea of guilty that is con-
tanned in the Chicago platform, simply
changing the words 1--WE will" to the
words 1--WE did not" to conform to the
admitted facts. We then have the fol-
lowing Republican confession of guilt:
1--WE did not revise the tariff
We did not amend the antitrust
laws to secure greater effectiveness
in the prosecution of criminal monopo-
lies"
''We did not add a single line to the
interstate commerce law, giving the
federal government supervision over
the issues of stocks and bonds by in
terstate carriers"
''We did not exact currency meas
ure that would mitigate the evils of
financial panic such as has recently
Frustrated the country under Repub-
lican administration"
I'VE did not limit the opportunities
for abusing the writ of injunction"
1--WE did not establish postal savings
banks"
1--WE did not establish a bureau of
mines and mining"
1--WE did not admit into the union
the territories of New Mexico and
Arizona as separate states"
Criticism Of Congress.
The last congress was in session
during financial crisis, when in
banking institutions, prefer
ring holiday to funeral, closed
millions of depositors with anxiety
and fear. The sentiment in favor of
postal savings banks, which had been
steadily growing in this couptry, be-
came almost universal during the re-
cent panic. So insistent became the
voice of the people that the president
sent special message to congress
urging the establishment of postal
savings banks where the earnings of
our people might be safely deposited
under the direct control and response
billy of the federal government, and
where no peculating bank cashier or
any member of the board of directors
could eat up the savings of years.
The United States senate showed it's
hearty sympathy with this popular de.
mand and it's profound respect for the
president by adjourning the senate