The Harrison times. (Harrison, Boone Co., Ark) 1876-1938, 1908-08-15

to bring TO the country any material re-
lief from the present tariff burdens.
why Nc Railroad Legislatlon2
For ten Years the Interstate Commerce
Compassion has been asking for an en-
largement OF lis powers, that Il might
prevent rebates and dscrimlna tiGns, but
a Republican senate and Republican
house OF representatives. were unmuyed
By It's antreaties In 1850 the Republican
national convention was urged to ndarse
the demand for railway legislation, but
It's platform was silent on the subject.
Even I'm lshi thu convention gave no
pledge to remedy these abuses When
the presldeut 4pally asked for legislation.
he drew his ton from three Demo-
cratic hai FORMS and he received
more cor Il from the Democrats
than from g. .hlieans. Tie Repuhli=
cans in the sen fe deliberately defeated
several amendm8nts offered by Senator
t.aFolletto and supported ny the Demd-
Gratis amendments emhadying legislation
asked by the Interstate Commerce Com
mission. One of these amendments au-
thori2ed the aseertAinment of the val
ne Of railroads, This amendment was not
only defeated by the shnate, but 1t was
overwhelmingly telepHed ny the recent
Republican national convention and tie
Republican candidate has sought to res
'1' Hio party from lNe# hlHdHAibus results
of this act by expressing himself, in a
qualified way, in taval Of ascertamlng
the value of the RAILROADS.
Mr. Taft complains OF the oHer-issue
of stocks and bonds % railroads for
the unlawful anriehiha Eof directors aud
for the purpose OF Concentrating the
control Of the railroads under one man
agement' and the e,bmplalnt is well
founded But, with a president to point
ma nd 90
to correct IT, we find notifying done for
the protection Of the public. n Why MY
honorable opponent has by hSs confess
sion, relieved me of the necessity of fur
nishing proof he admits the condition land
he can not avoid the logical conclusion
that must be drawn from the admission.
Publicity as to Campaign contrlbu-
tons.
An effort has been made to secure legis-
lation requiring publicity as to campaign
contributions and expenditures; but the
Republican leaders. even IA the face of
an indignant public, refused to consent
To law which would compel honesty In
elections. When thu matter was brought
up IN the recent Republican national
convention, the plank was repudiated by
vote Of $50 to "a. Here, too, Mr.. Taft
has been driven to apologize for his con-
vention and to declare himself In favor
Of a publicity law and yet. II ynh will
read what he SAYS upon this subject, you
will find that his promise falls far short
of the requirements of the situation. lie
SAYS.
s1f am elected president | shall urge
upon congress, with every hope Of sue
cess, that law be passed requiring the
niing tn a federal office, of statement
Of the contributions received by COM
mittees and candidates in elections for
members of congress, and in such other
elections as are eanstitutioHally within
the control Of congress-
How can the people hope to rule, If they
are not able To learn until after the cleo
ton whit the predatory interests are do
ing The Democratic party meets the
issue honestly aud eouragenusly. It says
I'VE pledge the Democratic party to
the enactment Of law prohibiting any
corporation from contributing to "a cam
paign fund, and any individual from com
trlbuting an amount above a reasonable
maximum, and providing for the publt-
cation, before election, of all such con-
trihutous above Il reasonable minimum, :
The Democratic national committee i'm
medateH proceeded to interpret and APP
ply this plank, announcing that no colt
tributons would be received from cor
porations. that no individual would be al
that all contributions above 500 would
be made public before the eleetion=those
received before October 10 To he made
public on or before that day. those re-
Cetved aftcrWard to be made public on
the day when received, and no such Con-
tlibuuous to be accepted within three
DAYS Of the election. The expenditures
are to be published after the election.
Here Is a plan which is complete and
effective.
po..I,. EIar+ion ot Senators
NeNt to the corrupt use OF money, the
present method Of electins United States
senators Is most responsive Tor the OBJ
structioH OF reforms. Fer llo years after
the adoption oil the constitution the de-
mand Tor the popular election of senators.
While hndlnE increased expression dld
not become dominant sentiment \
constitutional amendment had from time
To time been suggested ana me matter
had been more or less discussed in few
of the states, but the movement had not
reached point where II manifested it
sell through congressional action. In the
FIFTY second congress. however a roso-
hutton was reported from house com
mittoe proposing the necessary consttu-
uonaI amendment ana inns resolution
passed tine house OF representatives. by
vote which was practically unanimous,
In the Fitty-third congress similar res
olution was reported to, ana adopted by
the house of representatives,. Both the
Ftfty-second ana llItN-third congresses
We're Democratic, Ihe Republicans gained
control of the house as a result of the
election OF 1871 ana IN the fifty-fourth
congress the proposition died In commit
tee. As time went ON, however, the SEN
ument grew among the people, until II
F..I1.