Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1908-08-12
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ACCEPTS

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with accuracy the sum total OF tariff
reform 10 be expected In case OF Re
publican success. II the past can be
taken as a guide. the Republican party
VIII be 20 obligated by campaign con-
tributions from the beneficiaries OF pro-
lection. as to make that party power
less to bring to the country any ma
terial relief from the present tariff
burdens.
Why No Antitrust lsaisiation7
A few years ago the Republican lead
ers In the house Of representatives
were coerced by public opinion into
the support OF an antitrust law which
had the endorsement OF the president.
but the senate refused even to con-
slider the measure, and since that time
no effort has been made by the domI-
nant party TO secure remedial legisla-
ton upon this subject
Why No Railroad Lssislationf
For ten years the Interstate Com
mercc Commission has been asking for
an enlargement Of It's powers, that 1t
might prevent rebates and discrimina-
lions. but Republican senate and
Republican house OF representatives
We're unmoved by its entreaties. In
1000 the Republican national conven-
ton was urged TO endorse the demand
for railway legislation. but its platform
was siIent on the subject. Even I'm
1904 the convention gave no pledge to
remedy these abuses. When the presi-
dent finally asked for legislation he
drew his inspiration from three Demo-
cratic national platforms and be re-
ceivcd more cordial support from the
Democrats than from the Republicans.
The Republicans In the SENATE deliber-
ately defeated several amendments Of
ferrcd by Senator La Toilette and sup
ported by the Democrats-amendmen
cmbodying legislation asked by the In
terstato Commerce Commission. One
of these amendments authorized the
ascertainment Of the value OF rail
roads. This amendment was not only
defeated by the senate. but II was over
whelmingly rejected by the recent Re-
publican national convention, and the
Republican candidate has sought TO res
cue his party from the disastrous re-
suits OF this act by expressing him
self. In qualified way, In favor of
ascertalning the value of the railroads.
Over issue Of Stocks and Bonds.
Mr.. Taft complains of the over-issue
OF stocks and bonds of railroads, "for
the unlawful enrIching OF directors
and for the purpose OF concentrating
the control of the railroads under one
management" and the complaint Is
we'll founded. But, with president To
point out the evil. and a Republican,
congress to correct 1t, we find nothing
done for the protection OF the public
Why? My honorable opponent has, by
his confession, relieved me OF the ne
cessity OF furnishing proof; he admits
the condition and he can not avoid the
logical conclusion that must be drawn
from the admission. There Is no doubt
whatever that Il large majority OF the
voters of the Republican party recog-
niZe the dcpiorable situation which Mr..
Taft describes: they recognize that the
masses have had but little influence
upon Legislation or upon the adj
ministration OF the government, and
they are beginning to understand
the cause. For generation the Re
publican party has drawn It's cam
paign funds from the beneficiaries OF
special legislation. Privileges have
been pledged and granted In return for
money contributed to debauch cleo
tons. What can be expected when Of
fetal authority Is turned over to the
representatives OF those who first fur
nlsh the sinews of war and then REIN
burse themselves out of the pockets OF
the taxpayers?
Fasting In Wilderness Necessary.
So long as the Republican party re-
mains I'm power, 1t is powerless to re-
generate Itself. 1t can not attack
wrong-doing In high places without dis
gracing many OF It's prominent mem
bers, and II, therefore, uses opiates in
stead OF the surgeons knife. Its male
factors construe each Republican vic
tory as an endorsement of their con
duct and threaten the party with de-
feat II they are lnterfered with. Not
until that party passes through n pc
Rod OF fasting In the wilderness, will
NhC ANNptOAtthh iNbOtAo Atui ~ w HluOs
public questions from the standpoint
of the masses. Just as with indlvid-
uals, "the cares Of this world and the
deceitfulness Of riches choke the truth, .
so In politics, when party leaders serve
far away from homo and are not In
constant contact with the voters, con-
tlnued party success blinds their eyes
TO the needs OF the people and makes
them deaf to the cry Of distress.
Publicity ne to Campaign Contribu-
lions.
An effort has been made to secure
legislation requiring publicity as TO
campaign contributions and expendl.
lures; but the Republican leaders, even
in the face OF an Indignant public. re
fused to consent to a law which would
compel honesty In elections. When the
matter was brought up In the recent
Republican national convention, the
plank was repudlated by vote OF $50
to 04. Here, too, Mr.. Taft has been
driven to apologize for his convention
and to declare himself In favor Of n
publicity law; and yet, II you will read
what he says upon this subject, you
Will find that his promise falls far short
Of the requirements Of the situation