Omaha daily bee., 1908-08-13

candidate, speaking of the election of sena-
tors by the people, says; Personally, l am
inclined to favor 1t, but 1t is hardly a party
question. What is necessary to make this
a party question? When the democratic
convention endorses a proposition by a
unanimous vote, and the republican con-
Vention rejects the proposition by a vote
or seven TO one, does 1t not become an issue
between the parties? Mr.. Taft can not
remove the question from the arena OF
polues by expressing a personal inclina-
ton toward the democratic position. For
several years he has been connected with
the administration. What has he ever said
or done to bring this question before the
public? What enthusiasm has he shown in
the of the senate? What lnflu-
which his party has openly and VIGOROUSLY
condemned in its convention, and to which
ne Is attached only by a belated expression
OF personal inclination?
Shall the people ruler" Every remedial
measure OF "a national character must run
the gauntlet Of the senate. The president
may personally incline toward a reform;
the house may consent to it; but as long
as the senate obstructs the reform, the peo-
pie must wait. The president may heed
a popular demand; the house may yield to
public opinion; but as long as the senate is
defiant, the rule Of the people is defeated.
The democratic platform very properly de-
scribes the popular election Of senators as
the gateway to other national reforms" -
Shall we open the gate, or shall We allow
the exploiting interests to bar the way by
the control OF this branch OF the federal
legislature? Through a democratic victory,
and through a democratic victory only. can
the people secure the popular election of
senator's. The smaller parties are unable
TO secure this reform; the republican party,
under Its. present -leardership. Is resoluteiy
opposed to It; the democratic party stands
for 1t and has boldly demanded II. II | ami
elected TO the presidency, those who are
elected upon the ticket with me will be, like.
myself, pledged to this reform, and ] shall
convene congress in extraordinary session
immediately after inauguration, and ask.
among other things for the fuifillment OF
this platform pledge.
House Rules DespOtic.
The third fundamentally employed to
defeat the Will OF the people is found in the
rules OF the house OF representatives.
Our platform points out that The house
OF representatives was designed by the
fathers Of the constitution, 10 be the pop
to the public will and adds:
The house of representatives, as con-
trolled In recent years by the republican
party, has ceased to be a deliberative. and
legislative body, responsive to the will Of
a majority Of the members, but has come
under the absolute domination OF the
speaker, who has entire control of its de-
liberations, and powers OF legislation.
we have observed with amazement the
popular branch Of our federal government
4 helpless to obtain either the Consideration
OF enactment of measures desired by a
This arraignment is fully justified. The
reform republicans in the house OF repre-
SMS pSTsy. " afs a n i hsipI m1sOF To obtain IT their a
hearing or to secure a vote upon a measure
as are the democrats. In the recent ses-
sion Of the present congress, there was a
considerable element in the republican
party favorable to remedial legislation
but a few leaders, in control Of the organ
lzation, despotically suppressed these mem
bers, and thus forced a real majority in
the house to submit to a well organized
minority. The republican national conven-
ton, instead Of rebuking this attack upon
popular government, eulogized congress
and nominated as the republican candidate
for vice president one OF the men who
] shared In the responsibility for the coercion
E Of the house. Our party demands that
c become a deliberate body, controlled by
a majority Of the peoples representatives
4 and not by the speaker" and is pledged TO
: adopt "such rules and regulations to gov
= enable a majority OF is members TO direct
4 its deliberations and control legislation"
Shall the people TuleTt They sy can can not Of
8 sentatives in the house. give expression
: to their purposes and their desires, The
4 republican party Is committed to tht
u representatives; the democratic party Is
{ pledged to such a revision Of the rules as
! eral government into harmony with the
e ideas Of those who framed our constitution
u and founded our government.
y other Issues VIII he Discussed Later
h shall the people rule?" l repeat, is de,
ID clared by our platform to be the over,
shadowing question, and as the campaign
+ cuss this question as II manifests itself IN
other issues; for whether we consider tn,
I tariff question, the trust question, the rail
4. road question, the banking question. tn,
a labor question. the question Of imperialism
s. the development of our waterways. or any
other OF the numerous problems which
- press for solution. we shall find that IN
real question involved In each Is, whethe
M the government shall remain Q mere bust
or be an instrument in the hands Of tn,
a people for the advancement OF the commo
a veal.
le n the voters are satisfied with the rec
AZ ord OF the republican party and with II
\ management OF public affairs we can no
's reasonably ask for a change in administra
- tton; II, however, the voters feel that tn
ne people, as a whole, have too little influ
ment; II they feel that great combination
OF capital have encrOached upon the light
An OF the masses, and employed the lnstru
I'd mentalities Of government 10 secure an un
II fair share OF the total wealth produced
RS then We have a right 10 expect a verde
n against the republican party and In favo
u OF the democratic party; for our party ha
= risked defeat-aye. suffered defeat In Il
a lie and 70 bring about that very awakenin
he 10 which Mr.. Taft has referred.
eI only these are worthy to be entruste
an with leadership in 4 great cause who ar
Us party has proven It's worthiness by II
he refusal 10 purchase victory by deliveFin
IN the people into the hands Of those VII
as have despoiled them. In this contest be
~ plutocracy on the other, the democrati
~ Of equal rights. and invites the oppositio
- OF those who use politics 10 secure specia
fh Gauging the progress OF the nation. not b
the happiness or wealth or refinement q
a few. but by the prosperity and advance