The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-08-12
Shall the People Rule, Main Issue,
Says Bryan, Accepting Nomination

legislation which we can hope TO Sc
cure during the next four years.
Republican Challenge Accepted.
The distinguished statesman who re-
celVed-th Republican nomination for
president said. in his notification
speech: The strength OF the Repub-
the fact that we represent the policies
essential To the reform OF known
abuses TO the continuance OF libertJ
anu true prosperity, and that we are
determined. as our platform unequivo-
cally declares. 10 maintain them and
carry them on"
In the name OF the Democratic party.
! accept the challenge and charge that
the Republican party Is responsible fo-
all the abuses which now exist In the
federal government, and that IL lis i'm
potent To accomplish the reforms which
are imperatively needed. Further, !
can not concur In the statement that
the Republican platform unequivocal-
~ declares Tor the reforms that are
necessary. on the contrary. i afnrnI
that IL openly and VIGOROUSLY disap-
points the hopes and expectations OF
reformers, whether those reformers DE
Republicans or Democrats. So far did
its duty that the Republican candidate
felt II necessary to add To his platform
In several important particulars. thus
rebuking the leaders OF the party, upoE
whose cooperation he must rely for
the enactment OF remedial legislation.
AS | shall. In separate speeches, dis.
cuss the leading questions at issue, l
shall at this time conf1ne myself TO the
paramount question. and to the fars
reaching purpose of our party, as that
purpose is set forth In the platform.
Shall the People Rulef
Our platform declares that the OVER
shadowing Issue which manifests Itself
In all the questions now under discus
sion is shall the people ruler No
matter which way we turn; no matter
TO what subject we address ourselves;
ha oct nn
the people control their own govern
ment. and use that government for the
protection OF their rights and for the
promotion OF their welfare? or shall the
representatives OF predatory wealth
prey upon a defenseless public. while
the offenders secure immunity from
subservlent officials whom they raise
To power by INSCRIPTIONS methods?
This is the issue raised by the known
abuses" to which Mr.. Taft refers.
President's Indictment Against the
Party.
In a message sent to congress last
January, President Roosevelt said.
THE attacks by these great corpora
tions on the administrations actions
have been given a wide circulation
throughout the country, in the newspa-
pers and otherwise. by those writer's
and speakers who, consciously or un-
consciously act as the representatives
OF predatory wealth-of the wealth ac-
cumulated on giant scale by all forms
Oh y.
sion OF wageearners to unfair and
unwholesome methods of crushing out
competition, and to defrauding the pub
lie by stock Jobbing and the manipula-
ton OF securities. Certain wealthy men
OF this stamp, whose conduct should
be abhorrent to every man OF ordinar-
lily decent conscience and who commit
the hideous wrong OF teaching our
young men that phenomenal business
success must ordinarily be based on
dishonesty, have. during the last few
months, made IL apparent that they
have banded together to work for 4
reaction. Their endeavor is to over
throw and discredit all who honestly
administer the law, to prevent any adj
ditional Legislation which would check
and restrain them. and TO secure. IL
possible. a freedom from all restraint
which will permit every INSCRIPTIONS
wrong-doer TO do what he wishes un-
checked. provided he has enough
money."-What an arraignment OF the
predatory interests!
Is the presidents indictment true:
And. II true. against whom was the in
dictment directed? Not against the
Democratic party.
Mr.. Taft Endorses the Indictment.
Mr.. Taft says that these evils have
crept in during the last ten years. he
declares that, during this time, some
prominent and influential members of
the community spurred by financial
success and In their hurry for greater
wealth became unmindful OF the COM
fidelity. and OF the limitations imposed
by law upon their actions;" and that
the revelations OF the breaches or
trusts the disclosures as to rebates and
determinations by railroads, the ac-
cumulatinR evidence OF the violations
Of the antitrust laws, by number OF
corporations. and the over-issue OF
stocks and bonds OF Interstate rail-
roads for the unlawful enriching OF d.
rectors and for the purpose of concen-
trating the control OF the, railroads
under one fnanagement,"-allt these. he
charges. "quickened the conscience },
the people and brought on moral
awakening"
During all this time. I beg to re-
mind you. Republican officials presided
in the executive department. filled the
cabinet, dominated the senate. controll-
ed the house of representatives and oc-
cupied most OF the federal judgeships.
form boastfully declared that since
1s60-with the exception OF two years
the Republican party had been in
control OF part or OF all the branches
two years only was the Democratic
party In position to either enact or
repeal law. Having drawn the sal
aries; having enjoyed the honors; hav-
ing secured the prestige. let the Repub-
lican party accept the responsibility.
Republican Party Responsible.
Why were these known abuses
permitted To develop? Why have they
are sufficient, why have they
not been enforced? All OF the execu-
tive machinery OF the federal govern
ment is in the hands OF the Republican
party. Are new laws necessary? Why
have they not been enacted? With a
Republican president to recommend,
with Republican senate and house to
carry out his recommendations, why
does the Republican candidate plead
for further time in which to do what
should have been done long ago? Can
a. - l. as q
In the prosecution of wrong doors than
the present executive? Can ne ask for
a larger majority In the senate than
his party now has? Does he need more
Republicans In the house OF represen-
tatlves or a speaker with more unlim-
tied authority?
why No Tariff ReformP
The presidents close friends have
he would attack the iniquities OF the
tariff We have had intimation That
Mr.. Taft was FESTIVE under the demands
OF the highly protected industries. And
yet the influence OF the manufacturers,
who have for % years contributed to
the Republican campaign fund, and
who in return have framed the tariff
schedules, has been sufficient to pre-
vent tariff reform. As the present cam
paign approached, both the president
and Mr.. Taft declared In favor of tariff
revision. but set the date of revisio I
after the election. But the pressure
brought to bear by the protected inter-
ests has been great enough to prevent
any attempt at tariff reform before
the election; and the reduction prom
ised after the election II so hedgcd
about with qualifying phrases, that no
one can estimate with accuracy the
sum total OF tariff reform to be expect
ed in case OF Republican success. Ii
the past can he taken as guide, the
Republican party Will be so obligated
by campaign contributions from the
benefciaries OF protection. as to make
that party powerless To bring TO the
country any material relief from the
present tariff burdens.