The French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1896-1912, 1908-08-13

less lOt DE1US 10 the Country any Liza
teriaI relief from the present tariff
burdens.
Why No Antitrust Legislation?
A few years ago the Republican lead
ers in the house of representatives
were coerced by public opinion into
the support of an antitrust law which
had the endorsement of the president.
but the senate refused even to con-
slider the measure, and since that time
no effort has been made by the domi-
nant party to secure remedial legisla-
ton upon this subject.
Why-No Railroad Legislation?
For ten years the Interstate Com
merce Commission has been asking for
an enlargement of its powers, that it
prevent rebates and discrimina-
tons, but a Republican senate and a
Republican house of representatives
were unmoved by its ~entreatfes.\ In
1900 the Republican national conven-
ton was urged to endorse the demand
for railway legislation, but its platform
was silent on the subject. Even in
1904 the convention gave no pledge to
remedy these abuses. When the presi-
dent finally asked for legislation he
drew his inspiration from three Demo
cratic national platforms and he re-
cetyed more cordial support from the
Democrats than from the Republicans.
The Republicans in the senate deliber-
ately defeated several amendments Of
ferred by Senator La Toilette and sup
ported by the Observation-Disclosures
embody1ng legislation asked by the In
terstate Commerce Commission. One
Of these amendments authorized the
ascertainment of the value of rail-
roads. This amendment was not only
defeated by the senate, but It was over
whelmingly rejected by the recent Re
publican national convention, and the
Republican candidate has sought to res
cue his party from the disastrous re-
suits Of this act by expressing him.
self, in a qualified way, in favor Of
ascertaining the value Of the railroads.
OVer-issue Of Stocks and Bonds.
Mr.. Taft complains Of the over-issue
Of stocks and bonds Of railroads, for
the unlawful enriching Of directors
and for the purpose Of concentrating
the control Of the railroads under n
management" and the complaint Is
well founded. But, with a president to
point out the evil and q Republican
congress to correct 1t, we find nothing
done for the protection Of the public.
Why2 My honorable opponent has, by
his confession, relieved me Of the ne
cessity Of furnishing proof; he admits
the condition and he can not avoid the
logical conclusion that must be drawn
from the admission. There is nc doubt
whatever that a large majority Of the
voters Of the Republican party recog-
nize the deplorable situation which Mr..
Taft describes; they recognize that the
masses have had but little influence
upon legislation or upon the adj
ministration of the government, and
they are beginning to understand
the cause. For a generation the Re
publican party has drawn its cam
paign funds from the b~enefciaries of
special, legislation. Privileges have
been pledged and granted in return for
money contributed to debauch cleo
tons. What can be expected when Of
hcial authority is turned Over to the
representatives of those who first fur
nish the sinews of war and then reim-
burse themselves out of the pockets Of
the taxpayers?
Fasting In Wilderness Necessary.
So long as the Republican party re-
mains in power, it is powerless to re-
generate itself. 1t can not attack
wrong-doing in high places without dis
gracing many Of its prominent mem
bers. and it, therefore, uses opiates In
stead Of the surgeons knife. It's male
factors construe each Republican vic
tory as an endorsement Of their con-
duct and threaten the party with de-
feat IL they are interfered with. Not
until that party passes through a Pc
Rod of fasting In the wilderness, will
the Republican leaders learn to study
public questions from the standpoint
Of the masses. Just as with individ-
uals, "the cares Of this world and the
d~eceitfulness Of riches choke the truth"
so in politics, when party leaders serve
far away from home and are not in
constant contact with the voters, con-
tinued party success blinds their eyes
to the needs Of the people and makes
them deaf to the cry of distress.
Publicity as to Campaign contribu-
tons.
An effort has been made to secure
legislation requiring publicity as to
campaign contributions and eXpendi-
lures; but the Republican leaders, even
in[the face of an indignant public, re-
fused to consent to a law which would
compel honesty in elections. When the
matter was brought up in the recent
Republican national convention, the
plank was repudiated by a vote Of $50
to "a. Here, too, Mr.. Taft has been
driven to, apologize for his convention
and to declare himself in favor Of a
publicity law; and yet, if you will read
what he says upon this subject, you
will find that his promise falls far short
Of the requirements Of the situation.
He says:
"If l am elected president. l shall