Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1908-08-12


| the wilderness, will the Republicai
Headers learn 70 study public cues
stlors from the standpoint OF th'
masses. Just as with individuals
rtbe cares of this world and the de.
ceitfulness OF riches choke the
i truth" 90 in politics when party
leaders serve farsway from hom'
and are not In constant contact with
the voters, continued party success
blinds their eyes to the needs of the
people and makes them deaf to the
cry OF distress.
Publicity as 20 Camraign Ccntrfbu'
b. tions.
q An EFFORT has been made ts secure
Legislation requiring publicity as to
campaign. contributions and expen-
,.ditures; but the Republican leaders,
eyen in the face OF an indignant public
refused to consent to law which
would compel honesty in elections
When the matter was brought up In
the recent Republican national con-
yention, the plank was Tepudiated
by a vote OF $50 10 90 Here, too.
Mr.. Taft has been driven to apologize
for his convention aud then to de-
clare 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 saws: "Tf am elected President,
I shall urge upon congress, with
every hope OF success. that a law be
passed requiring the filing, in a fed
eral Office, OF a statement OF the con-
tributlons received by committees
and candidates in elections for men,
bers OF congress. and in such other
elections as are constitutionally
within the control OF congress-.
shall not embarrass him by ask
Ing him upon what he bases his
hope Of success; II is certainly not
on any encouragement he has re-
celved from Republican leaders. II
In sufficient TO say that II his hopes
were realiyed-if. in spite OF the ad.
verse action OF his convention, he
should succeed In securing the
enactment OF the very law which he
favors. II would give but partial re-
lief. He has read the Democratic
platform; not only his language but
HIS evident alarm, indicates that hr
has read II carefully. He even had
before him the action OF the DEM
ocratlc national committee in repre-
sentating and applying that platform
and yet he fails to say that he favors
the publication OF the contributions
before the election. or course, II
satisfies a natural curiosity 10 find
out how an election has been pur-
chased. even when the knowledge
comes too late 10 be OF service. but
why should the people be kept in
darkness until the election is past?
Why should the locking OF the door
be delayed until the horse Is gone?
An Election Public AFFAIR.
An election Is a public AFFAIR. The
people. exercising the right 20 select
their officials ana to decide upon the
policies TO be pursued, proceed 10
their several polling places on elec.
tion day and register their will. |
What excuse can be given for sec
'ecy as 10 the influences at work. I
II a man is pecuniarily interested In
concentrating the control OF the
railroads In one management" sub
ieribes large sum 10 aid In carry
ng the election. why should this part
N the campaign be concealed until
he has put the officials under obliga-
ion TO him? II trust magnate con.
ributes 100000 to elect political
riends to once. with a view TO pre-.
Tenting hostile legislation, why
hould that fact be concealed until
lis friends are securely seated in
heir Official positions?
This is not new question, It Is
question which has been agitated
"a question which the Republican
eaders fully understand. question ,
which the Republican candidate has /:
tudied and yet he refuses to de- 4
lare himself in favor OF the leglsla-
lon absolutely necessary. legisla- 4
ion requiring publication before the /
lection. 4
'emocratic Party Promises Publicity. I
How can the people hope TO rule, 4
they are not able 10 learn until 4
tter the election what the predatory
nierests are doing? The Democratic '
arty meets the issue honestly and e
ourageously. II says; "We pledge
be Democratic party TO the enact v
lent Of law prohibiting any cor {