The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1908-08-13
single Individual that he himself at

single Individual that he himself, at
the personal request of the Republican
candidate for the presidency. raised
over $25O,OOO to lie Used in single
state during the closing hours of the
last campaign. In order that this prac.
tice shall be stopped for all time, we
demand the passage Of statute pun.
ishing WITH imprisonment any officer
Of a corporation who shall either con
tribute on behalf Of or consent to the
contribution by corporation of any
money or anything Of value to be used
In furthering the election Of q presi.
dent or vice president of the United
States or Of any member of congress
thereof.
We denounce the action of the Re.
publican party. having the complete
control Of the federal government for
its failure to pass the bill. introduced
in the last congress. to compel the pub
lication of the names Of contributors
and the amounts contributed toward
campaign funds. and point to the evil
dence Of their insincerity. when they
sought by an absolutely irrelevant and
impossible amendment to defeat the
passage Of the bill. AS further evi.
dence Of their intention to conduct
their campo N in the coming contest
with vast su.ls Of money wrested from
favor seeking corporations. we call at
tention to the fact that the recent Re-
publican national convention at Chi
cago refused, when the plank was pre-
scented to 1t, to declare against such
practices.
We pledge the Democratic party to
the enactment Of a law preventing any
corporation contributing to a campaign
fund, and any individual from contrib
uting an amount above reasonable
minimum. and providing for the pub
LEGATION before election of all such con.
tributions.
We assert the right
Railroad of congress to exer-
Regulation. else complete con-
troll over Interstate
commerce and the right of each state
to exercise like control over commerce
within its borders.
We demand such enlargement Of the
powers Of the interstate commerce
commission as may be necessary to
compel railroads to perform their du.
ties as common carriers and prevent
discrimination and extortion.
We favor the efficient supervision
and rate regulation of railroads en-.
Gagged In interstate commerce. To this
end we recommend the valuation of
railroads by the interstate commerce
commission, such valuation to take
into consideration the physical value
Of the property, the original cost of
reproduction and all elements Of value
that will render the valuation made
fair and just.
We favor such legislation as will pro-
hfbit the railroads from engaging in
business which brings them into CON-
petition with their shippers, also legis-
lation which will assure such reduc-
ton In transportation rates as condi-
lions will permit, care being taken ia
avoid reductions that would compel a
reduction Of wages. prevent adequate
service or do injustice to legitimate ill.,
vestments. We heartily approve the
laws prohibiting the pass and the re-
bate. and we favor any further neces-
sary legislation to restrain, control and
prevent such abuses.
We favor such legislation as will in
crease the power of the interstate COM
merce commission, giving to it the in
ttiative with reference to rates and
transportation charges put into effect
by the railroad companies. and permit
ting the interstate commerce commits
sion on its own initiative to declare q
rate illegal and us being more than
should be charged for such service;
that the present law relating thereto
Is inadequate by reason Of the fact
that the interstate commerce commits
sion Is without power to fix or investi-
gate rate until complaint has been
made to it by the shipper.
We further declare that all agree
ments Of traffic. or other associations
Of railway agents affecting interstate
rates. service or classification shall be
unlawful unless filed with and APPROX
ed by the interstate commerce commits.
sion.
We favor the enactment of a law
giving to the interstate commerce CON-
mission the power to inspect proposed
railroad tariff rates or schedules before
they shall take effect. and if they be
found to be unreasonable to initiate
an adjustment thereof.
Believing with JEFF.
The Rights ferson in 1.-The sup
Of the States. port Of the state
governments in all
their rights as the most competent adj
ministration for our domestic concerns
and the surest bulwark against anti
republican tendencies" and in "the
preservation Of the general government
in its whole constitutional vigor as the
sheet anchor of our peace at home and
the safety abroad" we are opposed to
the Capitalization implied in these sug-
gestions, now frequently made. that
the powers Of the general government
should be extended by judicial con-
struction.
N. =.