The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-07-07
INTO THREE PARTS
Theodore Bell, Temper airy Chair
man of Democrat Convention.
Rips Up the Platform of the
Opposing Party.
CHARGES INSINCERITY
Made Up Of Barren Promises,
Makeshifts and Evasions.
Declares That 1t Is Not En-.
dorsed by the Party.

Theodore Bell temporary chairman of
the Democratic national convention, on
assuming the gavel spoke as follows:
We have assembled at a time when
the public conscience is demanding
honesty of purpose in the men who
undertake to direct the affairs OF state.
The public eyeis keenly sensitive to ev-
cry political movement, and our pro-
ceedings here will be approved accord
ing to the degree of sincerity appear
There is widespread belief, founded
upon evidence Of a convincing charac-
ter, that the party in power has not
been true to its trust. that 1t has be-
trayed the common interest into \the
hands of the enemies Of good govern
ment, thereby FORGETTING it's right and
destroying it's ability to rule in the
name of the people.
Apparent to every one is the TACT
that way down deep in the heart OF
the Republican convention at Chicago
there was a feeling of anger and re-
sentiment over the popular clamor for
reforms; and 1t is usually patent that
there is no bona fide intention on the
part of the Republican party of grant,
ing any reforms, if the machinery OF
that party can be retained in present
hands It's paper platform, divided
like ancient GauI into three parts
barren promises, makeshifts and evas-
ions 1t is hoped will make a good CAM
paign transparency; but no one SER
iously believes that the Republican
party really Endorses that neutral man
uscript which held the convention to-
gether until it could ratify the NOM
ination Of a presidential. candidate.
Approaching our great task In
manly, disnified manner. imbued with
the Hottest sentiments of patriotism,
ambitious to throw every safeguaro
around the liberties of our people, de-
60 on the QhJ1Spl that
are consuming the substance OF the
nation. let US proceed to our appointed
duty with the sustaining conscious
ness that we are responsible alone 10
God and to our country for the justice
of our cause.
Three Things to Do.
There are three things that this con-
yention should do. 1t ought to present
in a plain and Ineligible manner the
serious industrial and political condi-
lions that are disturbing the peace ana
happiness of our country. We shouio
then proceed to courageous expos
ure of the Republican policies that are
co-onerating with private greed In the
general oppression of the people. Most
Important Of all, we must exhibit
readiness and an ability TO grasp the
problems Of the hour and to enyct their
solution In a manner that Will saisIy
the sober. commonsense OF the multi
Among the great evils that affict
the country at the present time Is
the abuse Of corporate power. Al nrst
the advancing aggressions or the cor
porations are not discerniole TO the
common eye, for every move is care
fully covered up until sufficient poltt1-
cal strength is attained to defy the
protests of the people. Thus the con-
slant and insidious invasion Of the
people's rights finally results In
species of arrogance and dehance SO
formidable in it's appearance that the
body of the people, in fear OF ever
worse aggressions, hesitate to assert
and exercise their rightful authority
over three colossal enmeies of the COM
mon wealth. And so we behold a SUBJ
version of our free institutions, adorn-
ment voluntarily subordlnatlns ltseil
| to selfish, private ends, special PRIV
ileees resorting to cunning, bribery
and Indignation to maintain its unholy
power, while the masses timldiy nope
that when avarice has at last reached
the point of safety 1t will then De-
neyolently permit the people to resume
their rightful share in the government
Of themselves. Whenever the mutter-
ines Of the people become too threaten
| ing the cry of confiscation goes up and
appeals are frantically made to the
sacred rights of party. This is intend
ed to alright the ears of honest men
| in the enjoyment of the fruits OF their
Industry and thrift and by thus play
inc unon their prejudice and fears to
deter them from casting their influence
| on the side of wholesale reforms. The
crv of confiscation is the historic de-
Tense of usurpation. Let the people
| take warning. Whenever the wrongs
| of TODAY become the vested rights OF
Tomorrow the nation is in deadly peril.
No Enemy of Prosperity.
The Democratic party is not the enc
my of prosperity, but to the contrary
| 1t has always stood and Will continue
| to stand firmly against every species OF
aggression that would destroy or wea-
ken the right of any man to enjoy the
rewards to which his patience, his skill
| his industry and his economy, entitle
him. Our party approves that FEELING
| of pride which always accompanies the
possession of property, and 1t COM
mends an individual ownership in the
| soil that will bring to the homes o.
America more of the conYenienceS
comforts and luxuries of life. Agains
| the evils of special privilege we urge
the benefits of equal opportunity, in or
der that there may be more land own
ers. more homes, and more happines!
among the masses.
Our party is not opposed to produc
| ton on a large scale, but is unalterabl,
opposed to monopoly in production
| is easier 10 prevent luOHOPOiy lHdu
| is to control it after being establish
| ed. An ounce of prevention is worth {
| pound of cure and the withdrawal o
| special privileges will take away thu
meat upon which the trusts are fed L
| this be followed by a criminal prosecu
ton and an Imprisonment of the direc
| tors and officers of the guilty corpora
| tions. monopoly will be shorn of many
| of it's terrors.
The Democratic party is not enem!
| of all corporations. 1t recognizes theil
| great value in the industrial world
| Through the agency of incorporation
scattered wealth is brought togethe
| and given driving force that it would
| notsotherwise possesses. Greatenterpri
| ses are thereby undertaken and the un
| developed resources of the country ad
| ded to the wealth of the world.
| No rational man can be opposed t.