The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-08-12

Vi Our SpfcIuuiSul, IcSpOHSLNS W luS
public WILL" and adds:
The house of representatives. as
controlled in recent years by the re-
publican party, has ceased to be a de-
Lucrative and legislative body, respon-
sive 10 the will of a majority of the
members. but has come under the
absolute domination of the speaker,
who has entire control of its deliber-
atoms, and powers of legislation.
We have observed with amusement
the popular branch of our federal gov
eminent helpless TO obtain either the
consideration or enactment of meas
ures desired by a majority of its
members"
This arraignment is fully justified.
The reform republicans in the house
of representatives. when in the minor
tty in their own party. are as helpless
TO obtain hearing or to secure a vote
upon a measure as are the democrats.
In the recent session of the present
congress, there was a considerable ele-
ment in the republican party favorable
20 remedial legislation; but a few
| leaders. in control of the organization,
despotically suppressed these men,
| bers. and thus forced a real majority
in the house to submit TO a well or
sanized minority. The republican
national convention, instead of rebuk-
ing this attack upon popular govern.
ment, eulogized congress and nomin-
ated as the republican candidate for
vice-president one of the men who
shared in the responsibility for the
coercion of the house. Our party de-
mands that the house of repre- SEN
tatives shall again become a deliber-
ative body, controlled by a majority
OF the peoples representatives, and
not by the speaker" and Is pledged TO
adopt such rules and regulations to
govern the house of representatives as
will enable majority of its members
to direct its deliberations and control
legislation"
| Shall the people rule?" They can
not do so unless they can control the
house of representatives. and through
their representatives in the house
give expression to their purposes and
their desires. The republican party is
committed to the methods now in
vogue in the house of representatives
the democratic party is pledged to
such a revision of the rules as will
bring the popular branch of the fed
eral government into harmony with
the ideas Of those who framed ouI
constitution and founded our govern
ment
Other Issues Later.
Shall the people ruler" / repeat
Is declared by our platform to be the
overshadowing question, and as the
campaign progresses, I shall take oc
casion to discuss this question as II
manifests itself in other issues: fol
whether we consider the tariff ques
ton, the trust question, the railroad
question, the banking question, the
labor question, the question of imper
ialism, the development of our water
ways. or any other of the numerous
problems which press for solution, we
shall find that the real question invol
we'd in each is. whether the govern
ment shall remain a mere business
asset OF favor seeking corporations OF
be an instrument in the hands of the
people for the advancement of the
common veal
II the voters are satisfied with the
record of the republican party ant
with It's management of public affair.
we can not reasonably ask for Z
change in administration; II, however
the voters feel that the people. as Z
whole. have too little influence II
shaping the policies of the govern
, ment; IL they feel that great comb
nations OF capital have encroachet
upon the rights Of the masses, anc
employed the instrumentalities of gov
} eminent to secure an unfair share o
the total wealth produced, then We
have a right to expect a verdic
against the republican party and fl
favor of the democratic party; To-
our party has risked defeat-aye, sui
fered defeat-in its effort to arous,
, the conscience OF the public and {,
, bring about that very awakening Il
which Mr.. Taft has referred.
/ Only those are worthy to be entrust
? ed with leadership in a great caus.
who are willing to die for 1t, and tn,
NoNAS patty udS proven IL
worthiness by its refusal to purchas,
victory by delivering the people int,
the hands of those who have despoil
ed them. In this contest betwee,
democracy on the one side and pluto
cracy on the other. the democrati
party has taken its position on tn
side OF equal rights, and invites tn
opposition Of those who use politics {,
secure special privileges and govern
mental favoritism. Guaging the pro
gress OF the nation. not by the happl
ness or wealth or refinement of a few
but by the prosperity and advance
ment of the average man." the demo
cratic party charges the republican
party with being the promoter of pres
emit abuses. the opponent Of necessar,
remedies and the only bulwark of pri
> waite monopoly. The democratic part,
affirms that in this campaign 1t is tn,
only party. having a prospect of sue
cess. which stands for justice in gov
eminent and for equity In the division
OF the fruits of industry.
We may expect those who hay
committed larceny by law and pur
chased immunity with their poIittca