The Washington herald., 1908-07-08

pedIte the proceedings by entering the
plea of guilty that is contained in the
Chicago platform, simply changing the
words I'VE viii" to the words I'VE did
not" to conform TO the admitted facts.
We then have the following Republican
confession OF guilt:
We did not revise the tariff.
I'VE did not amend the antitrust laws
10 secure greater success in the prosecu-
tion Of criminal monopolcs.
I'VE did not add a single line TO the in
terstate commerce law. giving the Federal
government supervision over the issues OF
stocks and bonds by interstate carriers.
I'VE did not enact a currency measure
that would mitigate the evils OF a finan-
cial panic such as has recently Frustrated
the country under a Republican admins
tration.
we did not limit the opportunities for
the abusing of the writ Of.iniunctiOn.
We did not establish postal savings
banks.
I'VE did not establish a bureau Of mines
and mining.
I'VE did not admit into the Union the
Territories of New Mexico and Arizona as
separate States"
In the Chicago convention minority re-
port OF the committee on resolutions. con-
tanning a declaration I'm favor of publicity,
was overwhelmingly defeated on a roll
call of the convention. and the Republican
party placed itself squarely on record IN
favor Of concealing the names OF the con
tributors and the amounts of their sub
scriptons. Let the voters OF this coun-
try seriously consider whether the re-
fusai of the Republican party to disclose
the sources and amounts Of It's election
finances is not a confession OF the debas-
ing and corrupt use Of money I'm its cam
paigns.
Regulation of Railroads.
Il is eminently proper that this conven-
ton should define the Democratic attitude
toward the regulation OF transportation
companies and call the attention OF the
country 70 the indisputable fact that II
was only after years of Democratic effort
that an amendment was made to inter
state commerce law authorizing the com
mission TO establish reasonable rates
whenever 1t appeared that an existing
schedule was unjust or unpardonable The
national platform Of the Republican party
remained silent upon this great question
for years. and the fact that the necessary
change was advocated by a Republican
President. who succeeded only through
the aid OF the Democrats In both houses
Of Congress in placing the amendment
upon the statute books. does not affect
the credit 20 which our party IS entitled
for having worked persistently for such
an enactment.
Further amendment 10 our laws Civ
ing the Federal government supervision
over the issuance of railroad stocks and
bonds Is demanded.
The fixing Of transportation charges
and the control Of issuanccs Of rail-
road securities are. inseparably connect
ed with the actual valuation of rail-
roads
We search in vain for one syllable in
the Chicago platform pledging the Re
publican party TO retrenchment and re-
form; and II is no mere coincidence that
has given US a billion-dOllar session of
Congress on the eve Of a national cleo
tion and the possible revision Of the
tariff.
Direct Election of Senator'S.
The Democratic party will continue to
labor for the direct election Of Senators
Of the United States, and It appeals to
the voters OF America TO elect the men,
bers Of the different State legislatures
who will pledge themselves to vote for
no candidate for the United States Sen
ate that is not in favor of this reform.
The Democratic party realizes the part
that America must inevitably play in the
affairs of the world. and that we can
not escape participation in the settlement
Of every world problem that arises, but
Americas might and influence must ever
be on the side Of peace. on the side of
justice, on the side OF the oppressed; and
If the will Of the people shall commit
to our hands the scepter of power. II
VIII be used for the realization OF the
high American ideals that raise our own
people to loftier and better things and
through our precepts and examples con-
tribute TO the well being and happiness
OF all mankind