Gilpin observer., 1908-08-13

will be so obligated by campaign con-
tributions from the beneficiares 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 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
Republican senate and Republican
hou3e 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 1904, 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-
Observation-Disclosures 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 1t was
overw helmingly 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
qualified way, in favor of ascertaining
the value of the railroads.
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 man
agement," and the complaint is well
founded. But with president to point
out the evil, and a Republican congress
To correct II, we find nothing done for
the 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 Contrbu-
tions.
An effort has been made to secure legis-
lation requiring publicity to campaign
contributions and expenditures; but the
Republican leaders, even in the face of
indignant public, refused to consent
to a 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 "a. Here, too, Mr.. TAFT
has been driven to apologize for his con-
vention and to declare himself in favor
of 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
says:
''It / am elected president, ! shall urge
upon congress with every hope of sue
cess that a law be passed requiring the
filing. in 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 constitutionaly within
the control of congress.
How can the people hope to rule. IL they
are not able to learn until after the cleo
tion what the predatory interests are do
ing? The Democratic party meets the
issue honestly and coura geously. 1t says:
I'VE pledge the Democratic party to
the enactment of law prohibiting any
corporation from contributing to cam
paign fund. and any individual from con-
tributing 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 i'm
mediately proceeded to interpret and APP
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 Il to be made
public on or before that day. those
ceived afterward to be made public on
the day when received, and no such con-
tributions to be accepted within three
DAYS OF the election. The expenditures
are to be published after the election.
Here is plan which is complete and
effective.
Popular Election Of Senators.
Next to the corrupt of money. the
present method of electing United States
senator's is most responsible for the OBJ
struction of reforms. For 100 years after
the adoption or tho constitution, the de-
mand for the popuHr election OF senators.
while finding in' reased expression, did
not become n dominant sentiment A
constitutional amendment had from time