New-York tribune., 1908-08-13

anu mat the revelations of the breaches of
u uusts, the disclosures to rebates and dis
examinations by railroads, the accommodating evil
oence OF the violations OF the antitrust laws
by number of corporations and the overissue
VI STOCKS and bonds of interstate railroads for
the unlawful enriching of directors and fer the
ufpose OF concentrating the control of the rail-
charges, "quickened the conscience of the people
ahd brought on moral awakening
Durlng all this time. beg to remind you. Re
pupncan officials presided in the executive de-
partmeni, filled the Cabinet dominated the Sen
ate. controlled the House of Representatives and
occupied most of the federal iudgeships Four
years ago the Republican platform boastfully
declared that since IS60-with the exception Of
two years-the Republican party had been in
eoi eontroI OF part or of all the branches of the
FEDERAL government: that for two years only
was the Democratic party in a position to either
enact or repeal law. Having drawn the sal
aries, having enjoyed the honors. having secured
the prestige, let the Republican party accept the
responsibility,
REPUBLICAN PARTY RESPONSIBLE
Why were these known abuses permitted to
develop? Why have they not been corrected?
II existing laws are sufficient, why have they
not been enforced All of the executive
chfnery Of the federal government is in the
hands of the Republican party. Are laws
necessary? Why have they not been enacted ?
With a Republican President to recommend,
with Republican Senate and House 70 carry
out his recommendations, why does the Repub
lIcan candidate plead for further time in which
10 do what should have been done long ago?
Can Mr. Taft promise to be more strenuous in
the prosecution of wrcngdCers than the present
Executive Can he ask for a larger ma jority
in the Senate than his party now has? Does
he need more Republicans in the House of Rep
resentarives or a Speaker with more unlimited
authority
WHY NO TARIFF REFORM?
The Presidents close friends have been prom
ising for several years that he would attack the
niQuities of the tariff. We have had ntinaation
that Mr.. Taft was restive under the demands Of
the highly protected industries And yet the in
HnanFA ma lfs -Hn haI- <0~
twenty-five years contributed 10 the Republican
campaign fund, and who in turn have framed
the tariff schedules, has been sufficient to pre-
vent tarlr reform As the present campaign
approached both the President and Mr.. Taft de-
clared in favor of tariff revision but set the
cate or revision after the election. But the
pressure brought TO bear by the protected in
terests has been great enough to prevent any
attempt at tariff reform before the election
and the reduction promised after the election is
SO hedged about with qualifying phrases that no
one can estimate with accuracy the sum total of
tariff reform 10 be expected in case of Repub-
Iican success If the past can be taken as
guide. the Republican party will be so obligated
by campaign contributions from the beneficial
Ties OF protection as 70 make that party power
less to bring 70 the country any material relief
from the present tariff burdens
WHY NO ANTITRUST LEGISLATION?
4 few years ago the Republican leaders in the
House of Representatives were CoerCed by pub
which had the Endorsement OF the President, but
the Senate refused even 10 consider the measure.
and since that time no effort has been made by
the dominant party to secure remedial legisla-
tion upon this subject.
WHY NO RAILROAD LEGISLATION?
For ten years the Interstate Commerce Com
mission has been asking for an enlargement of
its powers that il might prevent rebates and
but Republican Senate and a
Republican House Of Representatives were un-
moved by its eutreaties In 1900 the Republican
National Convention was urged to indorse the
demand for railway legislation. but its platform
was silent on the suhlect Even IN lsot me
convention gave nc pledge TO remedy these
abuses When the President finally asked for
legislation he drew his inspiration from three
Democratic national platforms. ard he received
from the Republicans. The Republicans in the
Senate deliberately defeated several amendments
offered by Senator La Toilette and supported by
the OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES embodying legis-
lation asked by the Interstate Commerce Com
mission. One Of these amendments authorized
the asCeruainment of the value OF railroads This
amendment was not only defeated by the Sen
ate but il was overwhelmingly rejected by the
recent Republican National Convention, and the
Republican candidate has sought to rescue his
party from the disastrous results Of this act by
expressing himself, in a qualified way. in favor
Of asCertaining the value Of the railroads
OVERISSUE OF STOCKS AND BONDS.
Mr. Taft complains of the overissue of stocks
and bonds of "a aiIroads FOR the unlawful en-
riching of directors and for the purpose of con
the control Of the railroads under one
management" and the complaint is we'll founded.
President
a Republican Congress TO correct II. we md
nothing done for the protection Of the public
Why? Ny honorable opponent has, by his con-
feSsion. relieved me Of the necessity of furnish
ing proof: he admits the condition, and he can
not avoid the logical conclusion that must be
drawn from the admission There IS no doubt
q whatever that large majority Of the voters of
the Republican party recognize the deplOrable
situation which Mr.. Taft describes: they recog-
nize that the masses have had but little in
duence upon legislation or upon the administra-
tion OF the government and they are beginning
10 understand the cause For a generation the
Republican party has drawn its campaign funds
from the benefciaries of special legislation.
Privileges have been pledged and granted in re
turn for money contributed to debauch elections
What can be expected when official authority is
turned over 10 the representatives Of those who
first furnish the sinews of war and then reinl-
burse themselves out of the pockets Of the tax
payers?
FASTING IN WILDERNESS NECESSARY.
So long as the Republican party remains in
power it is poweriess TO regenerate Itself II
cannot attack wrongdolng IN hlgh places with
out disgracing many of its prominent members,
and il therefore uses opiates instead of the
surgeons knife. Its n1alefaCtOrs construe each
Republican victory as Endorsement Of their
conduct and threaten the party with defeat If
thew are interfered with Not until that party
NJ ssas through q period Of fasting in the wilder
ness viii the Republican leaders learn to study
public questions from the standpoint of the
masses. Just as with individuals, the cares OF
this world and the decettfuness or rlches choke
the truth" so IN politics, when party leaders
serve far away from home and are not in con
slant contact with the voters. continued party
success blinds their eyes TO the needs OF the
people and makes them deaf TO the cry Of dis
tress.
CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION PUBLICITY
An effort has been made TO secure legislation
recurring publicity 10 campaign contributions
and expenditures but the Republican leaders,
even In the face of an indignant public, refused
to consent to q law which would coInpeI non
esty in elections. When the matter was brought
IN in The recent Republican National ConVen-
linn tbe 1Iank was repudlated by vote OF $50