The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1908-08-12

matter which way we turn: no matter
TO what subject we address ourselves.
the same question confronts us: Shall
the people control their own govern
ment. and use that government for the
protection of their right and for the
promotion of their welfare? Or shall
the representatives of predatory wealth
prey upon a defenseless public, while
the offenders secure immunity from
subervient officials whim they raise to
power by unscrupulous methods? This
is the issue raised by the known abu-
ses' to which Mr. Taft refers.
Presidents Indictment.
In message sent congress last
January. President Roosevelt said:
The attacks by these great corpora
tions on the administrations actions
have been given wide circulation
throughout the country. in newspapers
and otherwise, by these writer's and
speakers who, consciously or uncon-
sciously act as the representatives of
predatory wealth-of the wealth ac-
cumulated on a giant scale by all forms
If iniquity, ranging from the oppres-
sion of wage earners to unfair and un-
wholesome methods of crushing out
competition, and to defrauding the pub
lie by stock jobbing and the manipu-
lation of securities. Certain wealthy
men OF this stamp, whose conduct
should be abhorred to every man OF or
dinarily decent conscience, and w.1o
commit the hideous wrong of teaching
our young men that phenomenal busi-
ness success must ordinarily be based
on dishonesty, have. during the last
few months. made it apparent that they
have banded together to work for re-
action. Their endeavor is to overthrow
and discredit all who honestly admins
ter the law, to prevent any additional
legislation which would check and re-
strain them and to secure, II possible,
freedom from all restraint which will
permit every INSCRIPTIONS wrong doer
to do what he wishes unchecked, pro-
vided he has enough money What an
arraignment Of the predatory interests.
'Is the presidents indictment true?
And, if true. against whom was the in
dictment directed? Not against the de-
mocratic party.
Mr.. Tafj Endorses Indictment.
Mr.. Taft says that these evils have
crept in during the last ten years. He
declares that during this time, some
prominent and influential members of
the community. spurred by financial
success and in their hurry for greater
wealth, became unmindful of the COM
mon rules of business honesty and fl
deity, and of the legislations imposed
by law upon their actions.;' and the
revelations of the breaches Of trusts,
the disclosures as to rebates and dis
criminationA by railroads, the accumu-
lating evidence of the violations of the
antitrust laws by a number of cor
porations. and the overissue of stocks
and bonds of interstate railroads for
the unlawful enriching of directors and
for the purpose of concentrating the
control of the railroads under one man.
agement,' t,'-all these, he charges, quick
ened the conscience Of the people and
brought on, a moral awakening
During all lhis time / beg to remind
you, republican officials presided in the
executive department, filed the cabi-
net, dominated the senate; controlled
the house Of representatives and oc-
cupied most of the federal judships
Four years ago the republican platform
boastfully declared that since 1860
with the exception Of two yeaSs-the
republican party had been in control of