The Washington herald., 1908-07-08

Denver, July Temporary Chairman
+. A. BenvSOf California, in addressing
the Democratic national convention, to-
day. spoke. In part. as follows:
I'VE have assembled at a time when the
public conscience is demanding honesty
Of purpose of the men who undertake to
direct the affairs of State. The public
eye is keenly sensitive 10 every political
movement. and our proceedings here will
be approved according to the degree of
sincerity appearing in the work of this
convention. There IS a widespread be-
lief, founded upon evidence Of a con-
vinelng character. that the party in
power has not been true to its trust. that
It has betrayed the common interest into
the hands Of the enemies Of good gov
ernment. thereby forfeiting its right and
destroying its ability to rule in the name
of the people.
Republican Promises scored.
Apparent TO every one Is the fact that
down deep In the hearts Of the Repub-
feeling of anger and resentment over the
popular clamor for reforms, and It is
equally patent that there is no bona fide
Intention on the part of the Republican
party Of granting any reforms If the ma
chinery of the Republican party can be
retained in its present hands Its paper
platform. divided. like ancient Gaul into
three narts-barren promises. makeshifts.
and evasions-it IS hoped will make a
good campaign transparency. but no one
believes seriously that the Republican
party indorses the neutral manuscript
which held the convention together until
it could ratify the nomination Of a Presi-
dental candidate.
Approaching our great task IN a dig
nifed manner. imbued with the loftiest
sentiments of patriotism, ambitious TO
throw every safeguard around the liber-
ties of our people. determined 10 stamp
out the abuses that are consuming the
substance of the nation. let us proceed to
our appointed duty with the sustaining
consciousness that We are responsible
alone TO God and 10 our country for the
justice Of our cause.
Three Duties TO Perform,
There are three things that this con-
vention should do. II ought TO present in
plain and ineligible manner the Sc
riOus Industrial conditions that are dis
turbing the peace and happiness of our
country. We should then proceed to a
courageous exposure Of the Republican
policies that are cooperating with pri-
vate greed in the general exploitation OF
the people Most important Of all. we
must exhibit a readiness and ability TO
grasp the problems Of the hour and 20
effect their solution IN a manner that VIII
satisfy the sober common sense of the
multitude whose interests are at stake.
Among the great evils that afflict the
country at the present time is the abuse
of corporate power At first the advanc-
ing aggressions OF the corporations are
not discernible 10 the common eye. for
every move is carefully covered up until
sufficient political strength is attained 10
defy the protests OF the people. Thus the
constant and lnsidious invasion Of the
peoples rights finally results in q species
Of arrogance and defiance so formidable
in its appearance that the body Of the
people, in fear Of worse aggressions, hes
itate TO exercise their rightful authority
over the colossal enemies of the Com
monwealth. And so we behold a subver-
sion Of our free institutions. a govern
ment voluntarily subordinating itself 10
selfish, private ends; special privilege re-
sorting TO cunning. bribery, and intimlda-
tions 10 maintain its unholy power, while
the masses tlmidly hope that when ava
rice has at last reached the point of sa-
tety II will benevolently permit the peo-
Tt1a 20, hnfr vffsIrf Al.
government Of themselves. Whenever the
mutterings OF the people become too
threatening the cry of conflscauon goes
up and appeals are frantically made to
the sacred rights Of property
Not the Enemy of Property.
The Democratic party is not the en-
emy Of property. but to the contrary, IT
has always stood and will continue 10
stand firmly against every species OF az
gression that would destroy or weaken
the right OF any man 10 enjoy the re-
wards to which his patience, his skill. his
industry, and his economy entitle him.
The Democratic party is not an enemy
of oil corporations. 1t recognizes their
great value in the industrial world.
Through the agency OF incorporation scat
tered wealth Is brought together and
given a driving force that il would not
otherwise possess. Great enterprises are
thereby undertaken, and the undeveloped
resources Of the country added TO the
wealth Of the world.
Viewed In the light Of great moral
question, the control OF corporations
should remain a question Of common con-
Germ rather than political one, but the
shameful and complacent acQuiescence OF
the Republican party In permitting its
forces 70 be controlled and operated by
the most offending corporations OF the
country. throws the problem into the
political arena, and compes the public to
choose between the Democratic party.
that WILL and the Republican party. that
viii not. place some restrictions on incor-
pOratiOn greed.
we are confronted with the inquiry
What assurance has the Republican party
given that il will use the forces at its
command 10 restore TO the people their
rights? In its Chicago platform. It did
not make even decent pretence OF cham
pioning the peoples cause. and the pro-
ceedngs of that convention are glaringly
insincere II was noted that two elements
were present in that gathering, the one
with sufficient votes to adopt a platform
and name its candidate for President the
other powerful enough to unwrite that
platform and tie tic hands OF the noml-
nee. The distinguishing feature OF the
Chicago platform Is It's oft-repeated pro-
mise TO do a lot OF things that the Re
publican party has heretofore failed 10 do.
That party went to Chicago fresh from
the halls of Congress, where an over
whelming Republican majority in both
branches enabled Il 20 propose and 10
adopt any legislation that Il chose. Does
tho Republican party believe that It can
be absOlvcd from derelictlon Of duty by