The Colville examiner. [volume] (Colville, Wash.) 1907-1948, 1908-05-23
Roosevelt VS.. Republicanism


policies which congress has absolutely refused to
adopt The democratic minority in congress has
offered and attempted to adopt the policies of the
president, but the republican members would lend
no assistance.
In such case the public must Judge between
Theodore Roosevelt and the republican party.
There is no question about the republicanism Of
the houses of congress. Their acts have been in
line with the party principles, and more relief
has been afforded the public than the republican
fnanciers have at any time intended Be it said to
the credit of Theodore Roosevelt that even in the
presidential chair, with republican congress, he
has advocated measures which if passed would be
OF incaculable benefit to the nation. And this he
has done in the face of opposition from his own
party leaders.
Statements are daily made that despite the work
of Roosevelt, nothing has been accomplished in the
way of reform. In one sense this is true, for
gress has refused to pass the measures advocated,
and the courts have not punished those guilty Of
violating the laws which we already have. Roose-
velt has undoubtedly known all the time that re-
publican congress would not pass the measures
which he has been advocating, for they are diamet
rically opposed to the tenets of the republican
party. Why he continued his strenuous advocacy
of reform measures. knowing this, may perhaps
be question. If he did so because he is an honest
man, better than the party in power, no word of
eulogy can be too great for him. But if he did it
for the purpose of holding the strength of the
better element of the republican party creating
campaign program which should in measure
offset the long-standing democratic propaganda of
REFORM then he is certainly to be credited with
possessing political acumen of degree little known
in executive life.
There can be no doubt but that he has done
wonderful work in the presidential chair. The
first results of a reform movement do not consist
in placing men in Jail, or even in breaking the
power of some greedy corporation The first re-
suit of reform campaign is upon the minds of
the people, awakening the public thought, start
ing the tide of public disapproval at conditions
which are inimicable to public veal
Events of the last three years have opened the
eyes of the American people. Exposure of corpo-
ration methods has been thorough. No one agency
has accomplished it all. Theodore Roosevelt has
done his part and by virtue of his public office has
aided greatly in the work of educating the people
to their needs. The basic principles of this reform
movement are twelve and fifteen years DID, Some
were first advocated by populism. Most of them
are the product of democracy The same measures
which President Roosevelt desired to have passed
by congress this year were turned down by the
nation when first presented by W. J. Bryan. Now
when presented by the leading republican they are
accepted by many, but rejected by the republican
congress. "The world do move, but she move
sometimes Slow"
The Americans are not only growing greater in
number but wiser. When majority of the voters
gain a clear understanding of conditions polite
there will come change in legislative and admin
CT
bring political millennium. When the time comes
for the nation to demand in congress representa-
ton of and for the people, that political party will
be placed in power which most appeals to the
people for it's honesty of principles. If the next
election is the time for such change it is unreason-
able to deny that the democratic party is the only
agency which can work consummation of reform
policies. The present congress- the present attitude
of the republican party, the breach between Presi
dent Roosevelt and his party leaders, all show that
no hope of reform may come from republican
victory. On the other hand, the leader OF democ-
racy has been before the public for many years,
his position is established, and the democratic
minority in congress has this spring proved by
action that it welcomes salutary measures, come
from what source they may.
Secretary Taft is evidently to be the choice of
the republican party for president. This in itself
is evidence of non-intention of republicanism to
accept the reform movement LaFollette would be
the logical man if such step were intended, but
he has been ndustriously shelved by the party
management Secretary Taft's friends are in Wall
street, where Roosevelt apparently has none left,
and certainly where no supporters of LaFoette
can be found. That Taft has ability and millions
of money behind him for campaign purposes, are
features which make him a strong possibility. But