Evening journal., 1908-08-12

"Why were these known abuses per-
mitted to developg Why have they not
been corrected7 II existing laws are suf-
fcient. why have they not been enforced7
All OF the executive machinery OF the fed
eral government is in the hands OF the
Republican party. Are new laws neces-
saryi Why have they not been enactod7
with a Republican President to recon-
mend. 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 agog Can Mr. Taft
promise to be more strenuous In the prose-
cution OF wrong-doers than tho present
executlvef Can he ask for larger ma
jority in the senate than his party now
has? Does he need more Republicans in
the house Of representatives or speaker
with more unlimited authority7
Tariff Reform.
'"rhe Presidents close friends have been
promising for several years that he would
attack the iniquities OF the tariff. We
have had intimation that Mr.. Taft was
restive under the demands Of the highly
protected industries And yet the influence
Of the manufacturers, who have for twen-
ty-fve years contributed TO the Republ-
can campaign fund. and who IN return
have framed the tariff schedules. has been
sufficient to prevent tariff reform. As the
present campaign approached. both the
President and Mr. Taft declared in favor
Of tariff revision. but set the date OF re-
vision after the election. But the pres
sure brought to bear by the protected in
terests has been great enough to prevent
any attempt at tariff reform before the
election; and the reduction promised
after the election Is so hedged about with
qualifying phrases that no one can esti-
mate with accuracy the sum total Of tariff
reform to be expected in case OF Republic
can success. II the past can be taken as
guide. the Republican party win be so
obligated by campaign contributions from
the benehciaries of protection. az TO make
that party poweriess to bring to the coun-
try any material relief from the present
tariff burdens.
"A few years ago the Republican leaders
in the house OF representatives were CO.
creed by public opinion into the support
OF an ant-trust law which had the en-
dorsement Of the President. but the sem
ate refused even to consider the measure,
and since that time no effort has been
made by the dominant party to secure re-
medal legislation upon this subject
''For ten years the Interstate Commerce
Commission has been asking for an en-
largement OF its powers. that II might
prevent rebates and determinations. but
Republican senate and a Republican
house Of representatives we're unmoved by
its entreaties. In 1900 the Republican ma.
tional convention was urged to endors,
the demand for railway legislation. but
its platform was silent on the subject
Even in 1904, the convention gave n,
pledge TO remedy these abuses whei
the President finally asked for legislation
he drew his inspiration from three Demo
cratic national platforms and he receive
more cordial support from the Democrat
than from the Republicans The Republl
cans in the senate deliberately defeate
several amendments offered by Senate
LaFollette and supported by the Demo
crats-amendments embodying Legislation
asked by the Interstate Commerce Com
mission. One Of these amendments author
80
railroads. This amendment was not onl,
defeated by the senate, but II was over
whelmingly rejected by the recent Repub
lican national convention. and the Repub
lican candidate has sought to rescue hi
party from the disastrous results Of thi
act by expressing himself, in a qualife
way, in favor of ascertaining the valu
OF the railroads.
lover Issue of Stock and Bonds.
Mr. Taft complains of the over-issu
OF stocks and bonds Of railroads. for IN
unlawful enriching Of directors and 70
the purpose Of concentrating the contrC
Of the railroads under one management
and the complaint is well founded. Bu
| with a President to point out the evi
and Republican congress TO correct &
we find nothing done for the protecuo
OF the public. Why? My honorable OF
ponent has. by his confession. relieve
me OF the necessity OF furnishing proof
he admits the condition and he cannc
avoid the logical concluKion that mus
be drawn from the admission. There
no doubt whatever. that a large majorit
, OF the voters of the Republican part
recognize the deplorable situation whic
Mr.. Taft describes; they recognize ths
the masses have had but little influenc
upon legislation or upon the ADMINISTERS
tion of the government. and they ar
: beginning to understand the cause. For
\ generation. the Republican party hf
drawn its campaign funds from the bent
/, flciaries Of special legislation. Privilege
have been pledged and granted in retur
for money contributed to debauch ele'
tions. What can be expected when officii
. authority is turned over to the represei
h tatives Of those who first furnish Il
sinew OF war and then reimburse then
selves out Of the pockets Of the taxpAyeri
80 long as the Republican party n
!. mains in power, 1t is powerless to regel
= crate itself. It can not attack wrong-d
ing in high places without disgracir
many of it's prominent members and
- therefore. uses opiates instead OF the su
- geon's knife. Its malefactors construe ea'
- Republican victory as ~ endorsement
!. their conduct and threaten the par
: with defeat II they are interfered wit
, Not until that party passes through
Il period of fasting in the wilderness. W
- the Republican leaders learn 70 stu
II public questions from the standpoint
- the masses Just as with individual
10 the cares of this world and the deceif'
9 ness Of riches choke the truth so in 20
a. tics. when party leaders serve far aw
a from home and are not In constant co
"a tact with the voters. continued par
I4,l~ N