The broad ax., 1908-08-15

him the action OF the Democfauc ma
= tIonal committee b interpreting and
snulying that platform; and yet he
fans 10 say that be favors the publica-
tIon Of the contributions before the
election. OF course, Il satisfies rat
mai curiosity 70 ind out how an cleo
ton has been purchased. even when
the knowledge comes too late 10 be OF
seryice. but why should the people be
rent IN darkness untn the election Is
pastf Why should the locking Of the
door be delayed until the horse is gomez
An Election q Public Affair.
An election Is a public ahair. The
peopIe, exercising the right to select
their officials and to decide upon the
policies TO be pursued, proceed to their
several polling places on election day
and register their VIII. What excuse
can be given for secrecy as to the In
huences at work. II a man, pecun-
iarily interested In concentrating the
control OF the railroads In one manage
ment," subscribes large sum 70 aid IN
Carrying the election, why should bis
part In the campaign be concealed IN
ID he has put the officials under obi
cation to himI II q trust magnate
contributes $4,000 to elect political
friends to once, with a view 10 pre-
venting hostile legislation, why should
frat fact be concealed until his friends
are securely seated In their Official 20
sitionsf
This Is not a new question; Il Is
question which has been agitated-a
question which the Republican leaders
fully understands question which the
Republican candidate has studied, and
vet be refuses to declare himself IN IA
vor Of the legislation absolutely neces-
sary, namely, legislation requiring pub
Hcation before the election.
Democratic Party Promises Publicity.
How can the people hope to rule, II
they are not able to learn until after
the election what the predatory inter
ests are doingf The Democratic party
meets the issue honestly and coura-
geousIy. II says:
I'VE pledge the Democratic party 20
the enactment Of q law prohibiting any
corporation from contributing 70 q
campaign fund, and any individual
from contributing an amount above q
reasonable maximum, and providing
for the publication, before election, Of
al such contributions above a reason
able minimum"
The Democratic national committso
Immediately proceeded to interpret and
auply this plank, announcing that no
contributions would be received from
eoporations, that no individual would
be allowed TO contribute more than
$4,000, and that al contributions
above 500 would be made public be-
fore the eiection-those received before
October Is to be made public on or
before that day, those received after
ward to be made public on the day
when received. and no such contribu-
ions to be accepted within three days
Of the election The expenditures are
10 be published after election. Here
81 plan which Il complete and effec-
i've
Popular Election Of Senators.
NEXT to the corrupt use Of money,
the present method Of electing United
States senator's Is most responsible for
he obstruction Of reforms. For one
hundred years after the adoption OF
TIE constitution, the demand FOR the
popular election Of senators, while hnd-
ing Increased expression, did not be-
come q dominant sentiment A con-
s1tutional amendment had from time
70 time been suggested and the matter
had been more or less discussed IN
few Of the states, but the movement
had not reached a point where It mani
tested itself through congressional ac-
don. In the Fifty-second congress,
however, a resolution was reported
nom house committee proposing the
Necessary constitutional amendment
and this resolution passed the house
Of representatives by a vote (which
vas practically unanimous. In the
Phy-third congress q similar resolu-
don was reported to, and adopted by.
the house Of Representatives. Both
the Fifty-second and FIfty-third con-
crosses were Democratic. The Repub-
hcans gained control Of the house as
result Of the election Of 1894 and IN
the Fifty fourth congress the PROPOSE
don died In committee. As time went
On, however, the sentiment grew among
the people, until It forced Republican
congress to follow the example set by
he Democrats, and then another and
smother Republican congress acted
Toraby. State after state has endors
mis- reform, until nearly two-thirds
The states have recorded themselves \
It's favor. The United States senate,
however, impudenfly and anOgant1y
oosrucs the passage Of the resolution,
Notwithstanding the fact that the vOt-
es Of the United States, by an over
Ehelming majority. demand It And
ms refusal Is the more significant
when It Is remembered that q number
q senator's owe their election TO great
corporate interests. Three Democratic
national platforms the platforms Of
ION H0Na 1870 In