The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-08-12
HE KNOWS 1T NOW.
Continued from Page one.)

CONTINUED from Page One.)
In the name of the Democratic party,
/ accept the challenge, and charge that
the Republican party is responsible for
all the abuses which now exist in the
federal government, and that it is i'm
potent to accomplish the reforms
which are imperatively needed. Fur
Their, can not concur In the statement
that the Republican platform une-
quivocally declares for the reforms
that are necessary; on the contrary
I affirm that II openly and VIGOROUSLY
disappoints the hopes and expectations
of reformers, whether those reformers
be Republicans or Democrats. So far
did the Republican convention fall
short of it's duty that the Republican
candidate felt it necessary to add to
his platform in several important par
ticulars. thus rebuking the leaders OF
the party, upon whose cooperation he
must rely for the enactment of reme-
dial legislation.
As l shall, in separate speeches, dis
cuss the leading questions at issue,
shall at this time confine myself to
the paramount question. and to the
far-reaching purpose of our party, as
that purpose is set forth in the plat
form.
Shall the People Rule?
Our platform declares that the over
shadowing issue which manifests it.
self in all the questions now under dis
cussion, is Shall the people ruler No
matter which way We turn; no matter
to what subject we address ourselves,
the same question confronts US: Shall
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 subservient officials whom they
raise to power by INSCRIPTIONS meth
DDS? This is the issue raised by the
known abuses" to which Mr.. Taft re-
fers.
Presidents Indictment of the Party.
In a message sent to congress last
January, President Roosevelt said
1.-THE attacks by these great corpora
lions on the administrations actions
have been given a wide circulation
throughout the country in the news
papers and otherwise, by those writ
ers and speakers who, consciously or
unconsciously, act as the representa-
tives of predatory wealth-of the
wealth accumulated on a giant scale
by all forms of iniquity, ranging from
the oppression of wage earners to I'M
fair and unwholesome methods Of
crushing out competition, and to de-
frauding the public by stock-jobbing
and the manipulation of securities.
whose conduct should be abhorrent to
every man of ordinarily decent con-
science, and who commit the hideouS
wrong of teaching our young men that
phenomenal business success must or
dinarily be based on dishonesty, have,
apparent that they have banded to-
gether to work for reaction. Their
endeavor is to overthrow and discred
It all who honestly administer the law,
to prevent any additional legislation
which would check and restrain them,
and to secure, If possible. a freedom
from all restraint which will permit
every INSCRIPTIONS wrong-doer to do
what he wishes unchecked, provided
he has enough money."-What an ar
raignment of the predatory interests!
Is the presidents indictment true?
And If true. against whom was the
indictment directed? Not against the
Democratic party.
Mr.. Taft Endorses 1t.
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 finan-
cial success and in their hurry for
greater wealth, became unmindful
of the common rules of business hon
esty and fidelity, and of the limitations
imposed by law upon their actions;"
ana JndL Ine revelations Oh the
breaches of trusts. the disclosures as
to rebates and determinations by rail-
roads. the accommodating evidence of
the violations of the antitrust laws,
by a number of corporations, and the
overissue of stocks and bonds of in
terstate railroads for the unlawful en-
riching of directors and for the pur-
pose of concentrating the control of
the railroads under one management"
all these. he charges, "quickened the
conscience of the people and brought
on a moral awakening"
During all this time. 1 beg to re-
mind you, Republican officials presid-
ed in the executive department. filled
the cabinet, dominated the senate,
controlled the house of representatives
and occupied most of the federal
judgeships. Four years ago the Re-
publican platform 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 of the federal govern
ment; that for two years only was
the Democratic party in a position to
either enact or repeal law. Having
drawn the salaries; having enjoyed
the honors; having secured the pres
tige. let the Republican party accept
the responsibility
Republican Party Responsible.
Why were these known abuses"
permitted to develop? why have they
not been corrected? If existing laws
are sufficient. why have they not been
enforced? All of the executive ma
chinery of the federal government is
in the hands of the Republican party.
Are new laws necessary? Why have
they not been enacted? With Re
publican president to recommend,
with a 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 Mr.. Taft promise to be more
strenuous in the prosecution of wrong
doors than the present executive?
Can he ask for a larger majority in
the senate than his party now has?
Does he need more Rep1lblicaOs i'm the