Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1908-08-14

ceiyed 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 MISUNDERSTANDING
embodying legislation asked by the In
terstate Commerce Commission. One
of these amendments authorized the
entertainment of the value Of rail-
roads. This amendment was not only
defeated by the senate, but 1t 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 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 aud bonds. of railroads, .'for
the unlawful enriching of directors
and for the purpose Of concentrating
the control of the railroads under one
management" and the complaint Is
well founded. But, with president to
point out the evil, and a Republican
congress to correct 1t, 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 admits
the condition and he can not avoid the
logical conclusion that must be drawn
from the admission. There Ia no doubt
whatever that 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 generation the Re-
publican party has drawn Its cam
palgn funds from the beneficiaries Of
special legislation. Privileges have
been pledged and granted In return for
money contributed to debauch elec-
lions. What can be expected when Of
facial 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?
Fastins In Wilderness Necessary.
So long as the Republican party re.
mains In power, 1t is powerless to re-
generate itself. It can not attack
wrong-doing in high places without dis
grazing many Of Its prominent men,
bers, and 1t, therefore. uses opiates In
stead OF the surgeons knife. Its male
factors construe each Republican vic.
tory as an endorsement Of their con-
duct and threaten the party with de-
feat II they are interfered with. Not
until that party passes through 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, 1.-THE cares of this world and the
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-
tions.
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
national convention, the
plank was repudiated by vote of $50
to 81. Here, too. Mr.. Taft has been
driven to apologize for. his convention
and to declare himself In favor Of a
publicity law; and yet II 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:
II am elected president. shall
urge upon congress. with every hope of
success. that a law be passed requiring
the fling. In federal Office, of state
ment Of the contributions received by
committees and candidates in elections
for members of congress. and In such
other elections as are constitutionally
within the control of congress"
shall not embarrass him by asking
him upon what he bases his hope of
success; It Is certainly not on any en-
enlargement he has received from Re.
publican leaders. 1t Is sufficient to say
that II his hopes were realized-if, In
spite Of the adverse action of his con-
vention, he should succeed In securing
the enactment of the very law which
he fayors, It would give but partial re-
lief. He has read the Democratic plat.
form: not only his language. but his
evident alarm, indicates that he has
read It carefully. He even had before
him the action Of the Democratic ma
tional committee In interpreting and
applying that platform; and yet, he
fails to say that he favors the publica-
ton Of the contributions before the
election. OF course, 1t satisfies nat.
ural curiosity to find out how an cleo.
ton has been purchased. even when
the knowledge comes too late to be OF
service, but why should the people be
kept In darkness until the. election IL
past? Why should the licking Of the
door be delayed until the horse is gonei
An Election q Public Affair.
An election Is public affair. The
people, exercising the right to select
their officials and to decide upon the
policies to be pursued, proceed to theil
several polling places on election day