Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1908-08-12

e~AS'D SNN bnO tCpuulChu lchuttSt cfcu
10 the face of an indignant public, re-
fused to consent to law which would
compel honesty in elections.
An election is a puolic affair. The
people, exercising the right to select
their officials and to decide upon the
policies to be pursued, proceed to their
several polling places on election day
aud register their will. Whist excuse
can de given for secrecy as to the inhu-
ences at work II a man, pecunisrily
interested in concentrating the control
of the railroads ia one management, "
subscribes large sum to aid in carrying
the election, Why should bis part In the
campaign be concealed until he has put
the officials under obligation 10 him Z III
a trust msgnate contributes 800, 900 10
elect political friends TO Office, with a
view to preventing hostile legislation,
why should that fact be concealed until
his friends are securely seated 10 their
official positions :
How can the people hope to rule, il
they ara net able to lesru until after the
election what the predatory interests are
doing? The democratic party meets
the issue honestly and coursgeously. 1t
says:
ave pledge the democratic party to
the enactment OF law prohibiting any
corporation from contributing TO cam
paign fund, and any individual from
onributing an amount above a reason
able maximum, and providing for the
publication, before election, OF all such
contributions above a reasonable mini
num-"
Next to the corrupt use of money, the
present method of electing United States
senators is most responsible fer the OBJ
structioG of reforms. ~ Three democratic
national platforms specifically cali for a
change in the constitution which will
put the election of senators IN the hands
of the voters, and the proposition has
boon endorsed by number OF the smaller
parties; but no republican national con-
vention has bten willing to champion
the cause of the people on this subj sct.
Ia his notification speech, the repub.
lican candidate, speaking of the election
of senators by the people, says: "Per'
sonslIy, l am inclined to favor it, but il
is hardly party question" What il
Necessary 10 make this party question
Through democratic victory, and
through democratic victory only, car
the people secure the popular election oil
senators. If 1 am elected to the presi.
dency, those who are elected upon TIT
ticket with me will be, like myself,
pledged to this reform, and | shall con
vene Congress in extraordinary session
Immediately alter inauguration, and ask
among other things, for the fulfilImeDt
OF this platform pledge.
The third instrumentslity employed
to defeat the will of the people is found
10 the rules of the House of Representa-
tives. Fur platform points out that the
House Of Representatives was designed
by the fathers of the constitution, to b.
the popular branch OF our government,
responsive totle public will" end add
1--WE have observed with amazs
ment the popular branch of our feders
government helpless to obtain either thG
consideration or enactment Of measun |
desired by majority of its members. u
This arraignment is fully justified.
The reior n republicans ia the House Of
Representatives, when In the minority
in their own party, are as helpless tC
obtain hesripg or to secure a vote upor
q measure as are the democrats.
If the voters are satisfied with the rec
ord of the republican party ard witt
Its management of public affairs We Cat
not reasonably ask for change in ad
ministrstiop; If, however, the voters
feel that the people, as a whole, have
too little influence in shaping the poll
cies of the government; II they feel that
great combinations of capital have en-
croached upon the rights of the masses,
and employed the instrumentalities o.
government to secure an unfair share
OF the total wealth produced, then w
have a right to expect verdict against
the Sepublicsn party and in favor of the
democratic party.
Gaugiug the progress Of the nation,
not by the happiness or wealth or re-
fiuement of few, but "by the pros
perity and advancement of the svera 70
man." the democratic party charges
the republican party with being the
promoter of present abuses, the oppon-
ent of necessary remedies and the only
bulwsrk of private monopoly.
We may expect those who have COM
mitted larceny by law and purchased
immunity with their political influence,
to attempt to raise false Issues, and to
employ ''the livery of heaven" TO coz
ceal their evil purposes, but they can
no longer deceive. The democratic
party is not the enemy Of any legiii-
mate industry or of honest accumula-
lions. 1t is, on the contrary, friend
of industry and the steadfast protector
of that wealth which represents SER
vice to society. The democratic party
does not seek to snnihilste all corpora
tons; it simply asserts that as the
government creates corporations, 1t
must retain the power 20 regulate and
to control them, and that it should not
permit any corporation to convert IT.
self into monopoly.
The platform of our party closes with
brief statement of the psrty's ideal.
1t favors "such an administration of
the government as will insure, IS far as
human wisdom can, that each citizen
shall draw from society reward COM
mensurats with his contribution ID the
welfare OF society,""