The Elbert County tribune., 1908-08-13

tribntions from the beneficlaries of pro-
lection, as TO make that party powerless
to bring to the country any material re-
lief from the present tariff burdens.
Why No Railroad LesIsIationf
For ten years the Interstate Commerce
Commission has been asking for am en-
1argement OF Its powers that II might
prevent rebates and DETERMINATIONS. but
Republican senate and Republican
house of representatives were unmoved
by its entreaties. In 1890 the Republican
national convention was urged to indorse
the demand for railway Legislation. but
Its platform was silent the subject.
Even In 1901. the convention gave no
pledge to remedy these abuses. When
the president finally asked for legislation.
he drew his Inspiration from three Demo-
cratic national platforms and he received
more cordial support from the Democrats
than from the Republicans. The Republi-
cans in the senate deliberately defeated
several amendments offered by Senator
LaFollette and supported by the Demo-
crats-amendments embodying legislation
asked by the Interstate Commerce COM
mission. One of these amendments au-
thorized the ascertainment of the val
ue OF railroads This amendment was not
only defeated by the senate. but II was
overwhelmingly rejected by the recent
Republican national convention and the
Republican candidate has sought to res
cue 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.
Mr.. Taft complains OF the ovef-issuc
of stocks and bonds of railroads. "for
the unlawful enriching of directors and
for the purpose of concentrating the
control of the railroads under one man
aRement." and the complaint is well
founded. But, with a president to point
out the evil and Republican congress
to correct II. we find nothing done for
tine protection OF the public. Why? My
honorable opponent has, by his confess
sion relieved me of the necessity OF fur
nishing proof: he admits the condition and
he can not avoid the logical conclusion
that must be drawn from the admission.
Publicity as to Campaign Contribu-
tions.
An effort has been made to secure legis-
lation requiring publicity as to campaign
contributions and expenditures; but the
Republican leaders, even 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
convention. the plank was repudiated by
a vote of $50 to o. Here, too. Mr.. TAFT
has been driven to apologize for his con-
vention and to declnre himself In favor
OF a publicity law. and yet. IL you VIII
read what he says upon this subject, you
will find that his promise falls far short
says:
III am elected president. shall urge
upon congress. with every hope OF sue
cess. that a law be passed requiring the
filing. in a federal office. of statement
of the contributions received by com
mittees and candidates in elections for
members OF congress. and in such other
elections as are constitutionally within
the control OF congress-
How can the people hope to rule, II they
ar r,n alt IN until after the plep-
ton what the predatory interests are do
ing? The Democratic party meets the
issue honestly and courageously. 1t says:
1--WE pledge the Democratic party to
the enactment OF law prohibiting any
corporation from contributing to a cam
paign fund, and any individual from con-
tributing an amount above a reasonable
maximum. and providing for the publi-
cation. before election. of all such con-
tributions above a reasonable minimum
The Democratic national committee Inn
mediately proceeded to interpret and ap-
ply this plank. announcing that no con-
tributions would be received from cor
porations. that no individual would be al
lowed TO contribute more than $4,000. and
that all contributions above 800 would
be made public before the election-those
received before October 10 to be made
public on or before that day. those re-
ceivedt afterward to be made public
the day when received. and no such con-
days of the election. The expenditures
are to be published after the election
Here is a plan which is complete and
effective.
Popular Election of Senators.
Next to the corrupt use of money. the
present method of electing United States
senators is most responsible for the OBJ
struction of reforms. For 100 years after
the adoption OF the constitution. the de-
mo nd for ba ala off, far
while finding increased expression. did
not become a dominant sentiment.
constitutional amendment had from time
to time been suggested and the matter
had been more or less discussed IN a few
of the states but the movement had not
reached a point where 1t manifested IT.
self through congressional action In the
Fifty-second congress, however, n reso-
luton was reported from house com
mittee proposing the necessary constitu-
tiona1 amendment and this resolution
passed tho house of representatives by
a vote which was practically unanimous.
In the Fifty-third congress similar res
olution was reported to. and adopted by
the house OF representatives. Both the
Fifty-second and Fifty-third congresses
were Democratic. The Republicans gained
control of the house as a result OF the
election of 1894 and in the Fifty-fourth
congress the proposition died In commit
tee. As time went on, however. the SEN
grew ulHonR tnt people,, untll IL
forced a Republican congress to follow
the example set by the Democrats. and
then another and another Republican
congress acted favorably. State after
state has indorsed this reform, until near
ly two-thirds of the states hava recorded
themselves In its favor The United
States senate, however. impudently and
arrogantly obstructs the passage OF the
resolution. Notwithstanding the fact that
the voters of the United States. by an
overwhelming majority. demand It. And
this refusal is the more significant when
1t is remembered that a number OF sem
ators owe their elections to great corpor-
ate interests Three Democratic nation
al platforms-the platforms of 1900, 1904
and 19os-speclhcally call for change In
the constitution which will put the cleo
ton of senators In the hands OF the vo-
ters. and the proposition has been in
dorsed by number of the smaller par
ties. but no Republican national con-
vention has been willing to champion