The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-08-25
KERN HEARS NEWS.
Continued from Page one.)


lion of men good and true-the very
flower of the great Democratic army
of the republic prefer to accept this
proffered honor in the name of these
loyal Democrats of Indiana for whom
the honor was, / believe, really in
tended.
Friends for Years.
It is pleasing to me to be associated
in this campaign with the distinguish
ed gentleman to whom the standard of
the party has been committed. For
years we have been friends. I recog-
nize in him a man of spotless charac-
ter and high ideals, always actuated
by patriotic motives and an earnest
desire to promote the welfare. the
honor, and the glory of his country.
nomination was demanded by the rank
and file of the party, which demand
was emphasized by a popular move
ment in his favor, which, as it pro-
ceeded. SO grew in volume and force
as to become irresistible.
He entered upon this campaign un-
pledged to any special interests, under
no obligations to any unlawful or
other combination of capital. looking
to no corporation for campaign contrr-
Enthusiastically free to serve the
people by carrying out the pledges of
his party's platform. While he IS the
foe to unlawful monopoly. and Is pre-
pared to lay a heavy hand upon the
fear or favor, and to combat the en-
croachments of greed upon honest en-
deavor, he is the friend of every fegiti-
mate business enterprise, whether
conducted by Individual or corpora
ton, and will sympathize with the pro-
motion of every movement which
makes for the welfare and prosperity
of the country.
The Republican nominee for vice
president in his recent speech of ac-
ceptance affected the belief that the
question, shall the people rule i'm
piled a charge Of venality against the
American electorate. He affirmed. with
great emphasis, that under recent Re
publican administration the people
have ruled without let or hindrance.
1t is passing strange that in a republic
like this there should be occasion for
discussion Of this question. 1t is
government of the people and by the
people. They presumably govern them
selves through their servants whom
they send to represent them in con-
gress. Their will, when known, ought
to be supreme, and should be given
immediate effect.
When People Do Not Rule.
And if the will of the people once
known is not given effect, then the
people do not rule.
Will any intelligent man claim that
there is or has been any substantial
diversity of opinion in this country on
the question as to whether the tariff
duty on wood pulp used in the manu-
facture of paper should be reduced or
removed? In this case the tariff tax
operated for the benefit of the paper
trust alone, allowing that combine to
levy millions of tribute each year upon
the newspapers of the country and
their readers. The press of the coun-
try, without regard to party united in
demanding relief. The people of the
republic unanimously seconded the de-
mand. The president of the United
states threw the influence of his great
office in favor of the demand of the
press and the people. But all without
avail. The dominant forces within the
Republican party had established in
the lower house of congress parlia-
mentary condition, in the interest of
monopoly, under which the sole power
to determine whether measure should
be allowed to become a law or not was
lodged in the speaker of that body and
his committee on rules, and by the fiat
of that one man the will of the press,
the people and the president was set at
naught. Behold the spectacle! On one
side 80 millions of free people demand
ing legislation to right an admitted
wrong. On the other side, a few men
engaged in public plumber. aided by
the dominating power within the Re-
publican party, represented by the pre-
siding officer of the once popular
branch of congress. And the plumber
ers and these unfaithful public ser
wants prevail over the people Of this
great republic! In this instance did the
people rule?
Babcock's Experience.
On February 4, 1902. Congressman
Babcock of Wisconsin, then chairman
of the Republican congressional COM
mittee, in speaking of a bill he had
introduced to reduce the tariff on iron
and steel. and after showing conclu-
sively that the interests of farmers,
laborers, builders. and other classes
would be conserved by the passage of
the bill, said:
Il am going to push the bill to re-
wise the tariff at every possible oppor-
tunity. If it goes before the house it
will pass by three to one.'
But under the rules of the house. the
friends of this bill were unable to ge,
it before that body. Three fourths of
the representatives of the people in that
branch of congress We're even without
power to free themselves from the
strange hold" under which this
modernized system of popular govern
ment, devised by the present Republic
can leadership. the speaker, has upon
the American public. This power to
this Republican leadership in many
ways, notably in the appointment by
the speaker of the house commit
tees, which are in many instances so
constituted as to quietly kill in the
committee room measures designed for
the relief of the people.
Hon. L. White Busby is the private
secretary OF Speaker Cannon. In a
magazine article, discussing the pow
ers of the speaker, Mr.. Busby relates
the circumstance of a bill having been
prepared, and three fourths of the
members of the house having signed
a request to the speaker asking that
the rules committee Of which he is
chairman bring in a special rule for
the consideration of the bill. The
speaker refused the request. The
chairman of the committee pleaded
and urged. Continuing, Mr.. Busby
says:
.sAr a final stroke the chairman ga Id