The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-07-07

louSly consider whether the refusal OF
the republican party to disclose the
sources and amounts of its election
finances is not a confession OF the
debating and corrupt use of money in
its campaigns.
1t is eminentfy proper that this con-
vention should define the Democratic
attitude toward the regulation of trans
portation companies and call the at
tention Of the country TO the indisputa-
Bile fact that it was only after years
OF Democratic effort that an amend
ment was made to the interstate COM
merce law authorizing the commission
TO establish reasonable rates whenever
it appeared that an existing schedule
was unjust or unreasonable. The ma
tlOnal platforms Of the Republican par
ty remained silent upon this great
question for years. and the fact that
the necessary change was advocated
by a Republican president, VINO sue
ceeded only through the aid of the
Democrats in both branches of con-
gress, in placing the amendment upon
our statute books. does not affect the
credit to which our party is entitled
for having worked persistently for
such an amendment. Further amend
ment to our laws giving the federal
government supervision over the issu-
ance of railroad stocks and bonds is
demanded, but the Republican con-
gress that has recently adjourned, ut
terly failed to authorize such super
vision and yet the Republican party.
in its last national convention, had
the audacity to promise that if re-
turned to power it would enact legis-
lation to effect that end
The fixing of transportation charges
and the control of assurances of rail
road securities are inseparably con-
nected with the actual valuation of
railroads. The Democratic party be
lieves that the first thing to do is to
secure a physical valuation of the
roads, that is. valuation of the solid
rather than the liquid assets of rail
road companies, while, on the other
hand the Republican party, on a roll
call in the convention, by an over
whelming vote took an unequivocal
stand in favor of system of water
rates without giving the people the
benefit of a meter.
We search in vain for one syllable
in the Chicago platform pledging the
Republican party to retrenchment and
reform; and it is no mere coincidence
that has given US a billion dollar ses-
sion of congress on the eve of a ma
tional election and the possible revis-
ion of the tariff. Reckless extrava-
gance is to be condemned at all
times.
If it be asked how this and other
similar abuses may be overcome, our
answer is, that men must be elected
to both branches of congress who are
absolutely responsible to their constit-
uents and governed in their legisla-
tive conduct by the consciousness that
they have not been sent to the halls of
congress for the purpose Of represen.
ing selfish interests, but as servants
of the commonwealth.
There is one branch of congress
that must be DemocratiZed before the
people can hope for the character of
representation that is gathered on the
face of our organic law. So long as
we maintain the present method of
electing United States senators, we
cannot hope that the upper chamber
of congress will reflect the popular
will. There are so many steps be-
tween the ballot and the bastile OF the
senate, through the circuitous medium
of state legislatures, that the will OF
the voter is waylaid and destroyed be-
fore it can force its way into this
mighty citadel of corporate power.
The Democratic party will continue
| to labor for the election of United
! States senators, and it appeals to the
voters of America to elect members
of the different state legislatures who
will pledge themselves to vote for no
candidate for the United States sen
| ate that is not in favor of this reform
! The affirmative position OF the
| Democratic party upon these great
| questions will be made clear during
| the coming campaign and disdaln1ne
all subterfuges, it will speak in a Ian
| guage that cannot be misunderstood
Its voice will ring with genuine love
for humanity, and the charge OF IN
sincerity will never be brought TO It's
| doors.
As we meet here in the heart of this
great West. we will be pardoned II we
express our admiration for that vast
empire stretching from the banks OF
the Mississippi to the golden shores oil
the Pacific. Our fertile plains anC
hillsides are springing like magic into
life. On the crests of lofty noun
tain ranges the SHOWS Of winter arc
conserved until the summer heat car
ries their blessings to the thirsty
plains below. Side by side. indlVldu
al enterprise and federal policy are
converting great areas of arid land in
to Dopulous communities where Peac'
and contentment lie down at every
door. With its agriculture, Its
mines. its timbers, it's growing tacto
ries and it's commerce, the West is i'm
pressing it's national importance upor
the public mind. On the bosom OF th'
Pacific will be enacted the great com
mercial struggles of the future. and th'
interests Of American commerce II
connection with the exposure of oul
western shores to any hostile attaci
will demand that the greater portion
of the American navy shall be retained
e ~ IN