The Grenada sentinel., 1908-08-15

and unwhoeSome methods of crushing
out competition, and to defrauding the
public by stock jobbing and the manipu-
lation of securities. Certain wealthy men
of this stamp, whose conduct should be
abhorrent to every man OF ordinarily de-
cent conscience, and who commit the hide
Gus wrong OF teaching our young men
that phenomenal business success must
ordinarily be based on dishonesty, have,
during the last few months, made 1t ap-
parent that they have banded together to
work for reaction. Their endeavor is
to overthrow and discredit all who hon
estly administer the law, to prevent any
additional legislation which would check
and restrain them, and to secure. IL pos
sible, freedom from all restraint which
will permit every INSCRIPTIONS wrong
doer to do what he wishes unchecked.
provided he has enough money. What
an arraignment of the predatory in
terests
Is the presidents indictment true? And
IL true. against whom was the indict-
ment directed? Not against the Demo-
cratic party.
Mr.. Taft Indcrses the Indictment.
Mr.. Taft says that these evils have
crept in during the last ten years. He
declares that during this time, some
the community. spurred by financial sue
cess and in their hurry for greater
wealth. became unmndful Of the COM
mon rules Of business honesty and f1del-
ity, and of the limitations imposed by
law upon their actions: and that "the
revelations of the breaches Of trusts, the
disclosures as to rebates and discrimina-
ions by railroads. the accommodating evil
dence of the violations of the antitrust
~ hnr Of md
the over-issue of stocks and bonds of in
terstate railroads for the unlawful en-
riching Of directors and for the purpose
of concentrating the control OF the rail-
roads under one management all these,
he charges. "quickened the conscience
of the people and brought on a moral
awakening"
During all this time, I beg TO remind
you, Republican officials presided in the
dominated the senate. controlled the
house Of representatives and occupied
most of the federal judgeships. Four
years ago the Republican platform boast
fully 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 a law. Having drawn the
salaries; having enjoyed the honors;
having secured the prestige, let the Re-
publican party accept the responsibility!
Republican Party Responsible.
Why were these known abuses" per-
mitted to develop? Why have they not
been corrected? If existing laws are
sufficient, why have they not been en-
forced? All of the executive machinery
OF the federal government is in the hands
OF the Republican party. Are new laws
necessary? Why have they not been
enacted? With a Republican president
to recommend, with a Republican senate
and house to carry out his recommended
tions. why does the Republican candi-
date 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
doers than the present executive? Can
he ask for larger majority in the sem
ate than his party now has? Does he
need more Republicans in the house Of
or a speaker with more
unlimited authority?
Why No Tariff Reform?
The presidents close friends have been
promising for several years that he would
attack the iniquites of the tariff We
have had fntimation that Mr.. Taft was
restive under the demands of the highly
industries. And yet the infiu-
ance of the manufacturers, who have for
.5 years contributed to the Republican
campaign fund, and who in return have
framed the tariff schedules has been
sufficient to prevent tariff reform. AS the
present campaign approached, both the
president and Nr. Taft declared in favor
Of tariff revision, but set the date Of
revision after the election. But the pres
sure brought to bear by the protected
interests has been great enough to pre-
vent any attempt at tariff reform before
he election: and the reduction prom
sed after the election is 50 hedged about
With qualifying phrases. that no one can
estimate with accuracy the sum total OF
arift reform to be expected in case of
success. II the past can be
aiken as a guide. the Republican party
Will be so obligated by campaign con-
ributions from the beneficiaries of pro-
ection, as to make that party powerless
o bring to the country any material re-
ief from the present tariff burdens.
Why No Antitrust Legislation?
A few years ago the Republican lead |
rs in the house of representatives were |
oerced by public opinion into the sup |
'ort OF an antitrust law which had the |
of the president, but the |
ire. and since that time no effort has |
een made by the dominant party to Sc |
ure remedial legislation upon this SUBJ
ect.
Why No Railroad Legislation?
For ten years the Interstate Commerce |
Commission has been asking for an en-
argement Of its powers, that it might |
revent rebates and Determinations, but
Republican senate and a Republican
ouse Of representatives were unmoved
" its entreaties. In 1900 the Republican
ational convention was urged to indorse
he demand for railway legislation, but
IS platform was silent on the subject.
Even in 1904, the convention gave no
ledge to remedy these abuses. When
he president finally asked for legislation,
70 drew his inspiration from three Demo-
ratio national platforms and he received
1ore cordial support from the Democrats
han from the Republicans The Republi-
ans in the senate deliberately defeated |
everal amendments offered by Senator
.aFollette and supported by the Demo-
embodyfng legislation
sked by the Interstate Commerce Com
lission One of these amendments au-
horiZed the ascertainment of the val
o of railroads. This amendment was not
My defeated by the senate, but 1t was
overwhelmingly rejected by the recent
republican national convention and the
republican candidate has sought TO res |