Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1908-08-21

all forms OF iniQuity, ranging from the
oppression OF wage earners to UNFAIR a na
competition, and to d~efrauding the pubic
by stock jobbing and the manipulation OF
securities. Certain wealthy men OF this
stamp, whose conduct should be abhor-
rent to every man of ordinarily decent
conscience, and who commit the hideous
wrong of teaching our young men that
phenomenal business success must ordi-
narl!y be based on dishonesty, have, dur
ing the last few months, made it appar-
ent that they have banded together TO
work for a reaction. Their endeavor Is
to overthrow and discredit all who hon
estly administer the law. to prevent any
additional legislation which would check
and restrain them, and to secure, II pos
sible, a freedom from all restraint which
will permit every INSCRIPTIONS wrong
doer to do what he wishes unchecked, pro-
vided he has enough money.'-Wha an
~arraignment of the predatory interests!
Is the presidents indictment true? And.
II true, against whom was the Indictment
directed? Not against the democratic
party.
Taft Endorses Indictment.
Mr.. Taft says tina these evils crept I'm
during the last 10 syears. He declares
that, during this time, some prominent
and influential members OF the community,
spurred by financial success and In their
hurry for greater wealth, became unmind-
full of the common rules of business hon
esty and fidelity, and Of the limitations
imposed by law upon their actions and
that "the ~evela tions OF the breaches of
trusts, the disclosures as to rebates and
determinations by railroads, the accum-
ulating evidence OF tho violations of the
antitrust laws. by a number of corpora,
tons. and the over-issue of stocks and
bonds OF interstate railroads for the I'M
lawful enriching Of directors and for the
purpose OF concentrating the control OF
the railroads under one management
all these. he charges, ''quickened the con-
science Of the people and brought on a
moral awakening"
During all this time. / beg to remind
you, republican officials presided In the
executive department, filled the cabinet,
dominated the Senate, controlled the
House of Representatives and occupied
most of the federal judgesh.ps. Four years
declared that since 1s60-with the excep-
ton of two years-the republican party
had been in control OF part or of all the
branches OF the federal government; that
party in a position to either enact or re-
peal a law. Having drawn the salaries;
having enjoyed the honors: having Sc
cured the prestige. let the republican party
accept the responsibility
Republicans Responsible.
Why were these known abuses" per-
mitted to Develop Why have they not
been corrected? II existing laws are suf-
fcient, why have they not been enforced?
All Of the executive machinery OF the fed
eral government is In the hands Of the
republican party. Are new laws neces-
sary. Why nave they not been enacted?
With a republican president to recon-
mend, with a republican Senate and House
to carry out his recommendations, why
does the republican candidate plead for
further time in which TO do what should
have been done long ago? Can Mr.. Taft
promise TO be more strenuous in the prose-
cution OF wrong-doers 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 Representatives or a speaker
with more unlimited authority?
Why No Tariff Reforma
The presidents close friends have been
promising for several years that he woul
attack the %iniquities of the tariff. We
have had intimation that Mr.. Taft was
FESTIVE under the demands of the highly
protected industries. And yet the in
fluence of the manufacturers, who have
for p years contributed to the republican
campaign fund, and who in return have
framed the tariff schedules, has been suf-
hcient to prevent tariff reform. AS the
present campaign approaches, both the
president and Mr.. Taft declared in favor
Of tariff revision, but set the date OF re-
vision after the election. But the pres
sure brought to bear by the protected In
terests has been great enough to pre-
vent 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 esti-
mate with accuracy the sum total of
tariff reform to be expected In case of re-
publican success. If the past can be TAX
en- as a guide, the republican party will
be so obligated by campaign contribu-
tons from the beneiciaries of protection.
as 10 make that party powerless to bring
to the country any material relief from
tho present tariff burdens.
Why No Anti Trust Legislation?
a few years ago the republican leaders
in the House of Representatives were
coereed by public opinion into the s,lpport
of an antitrust law which had the in
dorsement of the president, but the Senate
refused even to consider the measure, and
since that time no effort has been made
by the dominant party to secure remedial
legislation upon this subject.
Why No Railroad Legislation?
For 10 years the Interstate Commerce
commission has been asking for an en-
largement of it's powers, that 1t might pre-
vent rebates and determinations, but a
republican Senate and a republican
House of Representatives were unmoved
by Its e~ntreaties. In 1900 the republican
national convention was urged to indorse
the demand for railway legislation. but
It's platform was silent on the subject.
Even In 1904, the convention gave no
pledge 10 remedy these abuses. When the
president finally asked for legislation, he
drew his Inspiration from three democratic
national platforms and he received more
RoPBOA ~ AAAS INV L Lld
from the republicans. The republicans
In the Senate deliberately defeated several
amendments offered by Senator LaFollette
and supported by the democrats-amend-
ments embodying legislation asked by the
Interstate Commerce commission. One of
these amendments authorized the ascer-
of the value of railroads. This
a~mendment was not only defeated by the
Senate, but 1t was Overwhelmingly re-
jected by the recent republican national
convention, and the republican candidate
has sought to rescue his party from the
disastrous results of this act by express
ing himself, In a qualified way, In favor
OF ascertaining the value of the railroads.
Over-Issue Of Stocks and Bonds.
Mr.. Taft complains Of the over-issue 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 management"
and the complaint is well founded. But,
with a president to point out the evil.
and a republican 10 correct ii.
we find nothing done for the protection of
the public. Why? My honorable oppon-
ent has,. by his confession. relieved me
or the necessity of furnishing proof: he
admits the condition and he can not avoid
the logical conclusion that must be drawn
from the admission.
Publicity of Campaign Gifts.
An effort has been made to secure leg
islaticn requiring publicity as to campaign
contributions and expenditures; but the re-
publican leaders,, even In the face of an
indignant public: refused to consent TO n
law which would compel honesty In cleo