The Irish standard., 1908-08-15

all forms of iniquity, ranging from tho
oppression OF wage earners to unfair
and unwholesome methods Of crushing
out competition, and to defrauding the
public by stock jobbing and the manipu-
lation of securities. Certain wealthy men
OF this stamp, whose conduct should be
abhorrent to every man of ordinarily de-
cent conscience. and who commit the hide
Gus wrong Of teaching our young men
that phenomenal business success must
ordinarily be based on dishonesty, have,
during the last few months, made 1t ap-
parent that they have banded together to
work for 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. If pos
sible. freedom from all restraint which
will permit every interruptions wrong
doer to do what he wishes unchecked,
provided he has enough money."-What
an arraignment of the predatory in
terests!
II true, against whom was the indict-
ment directed? Not against the Demo-
cratic party.
Mr.. Taft Endorses the Indictment.
Mr.. Taft says that these evils have
crept in during the last ten years. He
declares that during this time, some
prominent and influential members Of
the community spurred by financial sue
cess and in their hurry for greater
wealth, became unmindful of the COM
mon rules of business honesty and fidel-
lty. and of the limitations imposed by
law upon their actions; and that "the
revelations of the breaches OF trusts. the
disclosures as to rebates and discrimina-
h0 mi of iro oyyf-
dence Of the violations Of the antitrust
laws, by number of corporations, and
the over-issue of stocks and bonds of in
terstate railroads for the unlawful en-
riching of directors and for the purpose
Of concentrating the control of the rail-
roads under one management. all these.
be charges, "quickened the conscience
of the people and brought on moral
awakening.'
During all this time, I 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 judgeships Four
years ago the Republican platform boast
fully declared that since 1s6o-with the
exception of two years-the Republican
party had been in control of part or of
all the branches of the federal govern
ment; that for two years only was the
Democratic party In a position to either
enact or repeal a law. Having drawn the
salaries; having enjoyed the honors:
having secured the prestige. let the Re-
publican party accept the responsibility
Republican Party Responsible.
Why were these known abuses" per.
mitted to develop? Why have they not
been corrected? If existing laws are
sufficient, why have they not been en-
Of
of the federal government 10 in the hands
Of the Republican party. Are new laws
necessary? Why have they not been
enacted? With a Republican president
to recommend, with a Republican senate
and house to carry out his recommends
tons, why does the Republican candi-
date 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 prosecution of wrong
doors than the present executive? Can
he ask for larger majority in the SEN
ate than his party now has? Does he
need more Republicans in the house Of
representatives or speaker with more
unlimited authority?
Why No Tariff Reform7
The presidents close friends have been
promising for several years that he would
attack the infquities of the tariff We
have had intimation that Mr.. Taft was
FESTIVE under the demands of the highly
protected industries And yet the influ.
ence Of the manufacturers. who have for
Is years contributed to the Republican
campaign fund, and who in return have
framed the tariff schedules, has been
sufficient to prevent tariff reform. AS the
present campaign approached, both the
president and Mr.. Taft declared in favor
of tariff revision, but set the date of
vfu>
sure brought to bear by the protected
interests has been great enough to pre-
vent any attempt at tariff reform before
the election; and the reduction prom
Used after the election is so hedged about
with qualifying phrases, that no one can
estimate with accuracy the sum total of
tariff reform to be expected in case Of
Republican success. If the past can be
taken as guide. the Republican party
will be so obligated by campaign con-
tributions from the benef1ciaries 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 Antitrust Legislation?
A few years ago the Republican lead
ers In the house of representatives were
coerced by public opinion into the sup
port of an antitrust law which had the
Endorsement of the president but the
senate refused even to consider the meas
ure. and since that time no effort Aas
been made by the dominant party to Sc
cure remedial legislation upon this sub
ject.
Why No Railroad legislation
For ten years the Interstate Commerce
Commission has been asking for an en-
largement of its powers, that 1t might
prevent rebates and determinations, but
a Republican senate and a Republican
house of representatives were unmoved
by its entreaties. In 1900 the Republican
national convention was urged to indorse
the demand for railway legislation, but
its platform was silent on 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