Gilpin observer., 1908-08-13

and through a Democratic Victory only,
can the people secure the popular cleo
ton of senators. The smaller parties are
unable to secure this reform; the Repub-
lican party under it's present leadership
Is resolutely opposed to it; the Democrat
ic party stands for 1t and has boldly de-
Eanded It, If am elected to the presi-
dency, those who are elected upon the
pledged to this reform, and / shall con-
vene congress in extraordinary session
Immediately after inauguration, and ask.
among other things for the fulillment
of this platform pledge.
House Rules Despotic.
The third instrumentality employed to
defeat the will of the people Is found in
the rules of the house of representatives.
our platform points out that the house
of representatives was designed by the
fathers of the constitution, to be the pop
ular branch of our government. respon-
sive to the public will" and adds:
THE house of representatives. as con-
trolled in recent years by the Republican
party. has ceased to be a deliberative
and Legislative body. responsive to the
will of n majority of the members, but
has come under the absolute domination
of the speaker, who has entire control Of
It's deliberations. and powers of legis-
lation.
1--WE have observed with amazement
the popular branch of our federal gov
ernment helpless to obtain either the
consideration or enactment of measures
desired by majority of its members"
This arragnment is fully justified.
Shall the people rule?" ] repeat, is de-
clared by our platform to be the over
shadowing question. and as the campaign
progresses, / shall take occasion to dis
cuss this question as 1t manifests itself
in other issues; for whether we consider
the tariff question, the trust question, the
railroad question, the banking question,
the labor question, the question of i'm
perialism the development of our water
ways. or any other Of the numerous prob
lens which press for solution, shall
find that the real question involved in
each is. whether the government shall
remain mere business asset of favor
seeking corporations or be an instru-
ment in the hands of the people for the
advancement of the common veal.
Democrats Have Earned Confidence.
If the voters are satisfied with the
record Of the Republican party and with
its management of public affairs we can
not reasonably ask for a change in ad-
ministration: IT, however, the voters feel
that the people, a whole. have too lit
tie influence in shaping the policies of
the government; II they feel that great
combinations of capital have encroached
upon the rights of the masses. and en-
poyed the instrumentalities of govern
ment to secure an unfair share of the to-
tai wealth produced, then we have q
right to expect a verdict against the Re-
publican party and in favor of the Demo-
cratic party: for our party has risked de-
feat-aye. suffered defeat-in its effort to
arouse the conscience of the public and
to bring about that very awakening to
which Mr.. Taft has referred.
Only those are worthy to be ntrusted
with leadership in great cause who are
willing to die for 1t, and the Democratic
party has proven its worthiness by its
refusal to purchase victory by delivering
the people into the hands of those who
have despoiled them In this contest be-
tween Democracy on the one side and
plutocracy on the other. the Democratic
party has taken its position on the side
Of equal rights. and invites the opposi-
sr oial privileges and governmental ia
voritism. Gauging the progress of the
nation, not by the happiness or wealth
or refinement of few, but by the pros
perity and advancement of the average
man." the Democratic party charges the
Republican party with being the promo
ter of present abuses. the opponent of
necessary remedies and the only hulwark
OF private monopoly. The Democratic
party affirms that in this campaign il
is the only party, having prospect of
success. which stands for justice in gov
ernment and for equity in the division
of the fruits of industry.