The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1908-08-14
Why No Railroad Legislation.

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Why No Railroad Legislation.
For ten years the interstate COM
merce commission has been asking
for an enlargement of its powers,
that it might prevent rebates and
determinations, but Republican
senate and a Republican house OF
representative were unmoved by its
entreaties In 1900 the Republican
national convention was urged to
endorse the demand for railway leg
islation, but it's platform was silent
on the subject. Even in 1904, the
convention gave no pledge to remedy
these abuses. When the president
finally asked for legislation, he drew
his inspiration from three Demorca-
tic national platforms and he receiv-
ed more cordial support from the
Democrats than from the ISepubli-
cans. The Republicans in the SEN
ate deliberately defeated several
amendments offered by Senator La
Toilette and supported by the Demo
crats-amendments embodying legis-
lation asked by the Interstate COM
merce commission. 'one Of these
amendments authorized the ascer-
tainment of the value of railroads.
This amendment was not only de-
feated by the senate, but it was
overwhelmingly rejected by the Re-
publican national convention, and
the Republican candidate has sought
to rescue his party from the disastr-
ous results Of this act by expressing
himself, in a qualified way, in favor
of ascertaining the value of the rail-
roads.
Over-Issue of Stock and Bonds.
Mr.. Taft complains, of the over
issue of stocks and bonds Of rail-
roads, "for the unlawful enriching
of directors and for the purpose OF
concentrating the control of the rail-
roads under one management" and
the complaint is well founded. But
with president to point out the
evil, and a Republican congress to
correct it, We find nothing done for
the protection of the public. Why?
My honorable opponent has, by his
confession, relieved me of the ne.
cessity of furnishing proof; he ad,
mits the condition and he cannot
avoid the logical conclusion thai
must be drawn from the admission
There is no doubt whatever that 6
large majority Of the voters of the
Republican party recognize the de-
plorable situation which Mr.. Taft
describes; they recognize that the
masses have had but little influence
upon legislation or upon the admin
istration of the government, anC
they are beginning to understand
the cause. For a generation, the Re
publican party has drawn its cam
Eaisn funds from the bencfCiaries
of special legislation. Privileges have
heen pledged and granted in return
for money contributed to debaucf
elections What can be expected
when official authority is turned over
to the representative Of. those who
first furnish the sinews Of war and
then reimburse themselves out oi
the pockets of the taxpayers?
Fasting in Wilderness Necessary.
So long as the Republican party
remains in power, it is powerless
to regenerate itself. 1t cannot at
tack wrong-doing in high places
without disgracing many of its pro-
miuent members, and it, therefore
uses opiates instead of the surgeons
knife. It's malefactors construe
each Republican victory as an en-
dorsement of their conduct anc
threaten the party with defeat II
they are interfered with. Not unit
that party passes through a period
of fasting in the wilderness, will the
Republican leaders learn to study
public questions from the standpoint
of the Masses Just as with indivi
duals. the cares of this world anc
the deceitfulness of riches choke the
truth" so in politics, when part!
leaders serve far away from home
and are not in constant contact witt
the voters, continued party success!
blinds their eyes to the needs OF th'
people and makes them deaf to tn
cry of distress.
Publicity of Campaign Contributions
An effort has been made to secur
legislation requiring publicity as u
campaign contributions and expendi
lures: but the Republican leaders
even in the face Of an indignant pup
lie. refused to consent to a Law
which would compel honesty in cleo
tions. When the matter was brougnl
CONTINUED on page five.).