The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-06-11

against the amendment prohibiting
railroads from competing with citizens
in commercial pursuits, by saying that
if he is to blame President Roosevelt
is to blame for signing the bill with
those provisions. Such a defense is
childish. Long with all his boasted
power could have put a better bill be-
fore Roosevelt. but Roosevelt had to
take what he could force out of Long
and Wall street and sign that or moth
ing. His vote on the original senate
Aldrich currency measure was crit
icised while this measure was pending
1t is now a law, considerably changed.
from the original bill which Long
voted for. But until the law has been
finally tested in some panic it may be
as well to withhold judgment upon
it, or at least give Senator Long full
and fair credit for doing his best I'M
til there Is more, light on this subject.
So with his homestead entry charge
give him whatever credit he asks, he
needs all he can get. Moreover there
is enough against him would push
ing charges in which he has the shad-
ow of an excuse for defense. Upon
his own confession he stands convict
ed of voting over and over again,
against the interests of his constitu-
ents. His vote shows him to be a bour-
bon. and his coat tail defense shows
he is willing to mislead the people as
we'll as to neglect them. Generally
speaking his defense is contributory
negligence. He ttgieds to shift the bur-
den of his responsibility to the presi-
dent and to his colleagues; to anyone
and everyone. upon whom he can lay
it, But the people of Kansas demand
a defense that is not centributory
negligence but an alibi and that SEN
ator Long cannot procure"
Whites First Statement.
Emporia, Kan, June 11.-William
Allen White prepared and wired to
Topeka the following statement soon
after Longs speech ended:
Emporia, Kan, June 11.-"Senatol
Longs defense of his record said w
A. White last night. after listening II
Mr.. Longs speech, sis characteristic
Of the best that is in him. It is care.
fully done, it is logically worked on
and is the best position he can take. L
commands respect just as he does fol-
its dignity and courage.
Tomorrow I shall read it over care
fully and shall answer it in some de
tail, but tonight there is just a wore
which should be said as to Longs claim
that his votes were cast in party regu
larity. Senator Long always has beer
a stickler for party regularity, wheI
party regularity would help the Wal
street forces that made him. the forces
that today govern his convictions
That's all
Says Party Regularity Prevented.
1.-THE party regularity prevented hin
from going to the aid of Victor Muir
dock when Murdoch, in the last ses
sion, and in this session was making hi
successful fight to save the people o
this nation millions and millions o
dollars in extortionate railway mai
charges for Mr.. Aldrich's party organ
ization in the senate was with tn
railroads and Long stayed by the party
stayed by Aldrich and the party con
trolling the senate, while the railroad
were attempting to gouge the people.
Always when he had the party ex
cuse Long gave the benefit of the doub
to the railroads. And so tonight w
| find him declaring not only the vote
he cast party votes, but they were ap
proved by Republican president. H
did not devote any Of his speech t
explaining that in many cases thes
presidents were compelled to accept tn
| bad things which Long and his Wal
| street colleagues adroitly put into tn