Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-08-26

Inant influence IN the government. !
beg to call Mr.. Taft's attention to the
fact that the Republican party has
stimulated the growth OF socialism IN
two ways: First. by the endorsement
that II has given to the theory that
trusts are natural and necessary out
growth of our economic conditions,
and, second. by permitting the devei-
opment of abuses which have been
charged against indiyidualism. IL
he will examine the vote published
in the World Almanac, he will flnd
that in 1900 the Republicans polled
7,2O8,244 votes and that the socialists
polled but 1891; in the same alman-
&C, he will find that In 1904 the RepGn'
licans cast 7.6254S9 votes and the
socialists 402.2S6. Notwithstanding
the fact that the Republicans have
boasteI Of their last national victory,
taeir party polled but $4,000 more
votes that year than four years be-
fore. This scarcely more than cover
ed the natural increase In the Repub-
lican portion of the population. while
the socialist vote increased more thah
three hundred per cent, and the IN
crease in votes was almost as great as
the increase in Republican votes.
Republicans Sheer at Socialism.
The Republican. leaders have been
in the habit of sneering at the social
lists while blindly Indifferent to the
causes that have contributed to the
growth of socialism. The Democrats
recognize tht socialists are honestly
seeking a remedy for the known
abuses" admitted by Secretary Tart.
Democrats dissents from the remedy
proposed BY the socialists. believing
that socialists are mistaken and that
the Democratic remedy is better, Dut
it ia time for thoughtful people 10
recognize that individualism can only
he retained and defended by remed-
Ia, LEGISLATION which will remove the
abuses which have been allowed 10
fasten themselves upon the country.
The Democratic party, believing IN
individualism, addresses ltsei earn,
estly to these abuses, and lnsteau VI
ridicululing and maligning the SOC
ialists, invites them, as 1t does tepup.i
cans, to examine the Democratic pat
form and the remedies proposed
therein. 1t submits its plans 10 the
honest citizenship Of the country
without regard to section or party;
In nv notification speech l calico
attention to three demands made by
our party. 1t asks. first. that the
government shall be taken out on the
hands of special interests, and restored
to the people as a whole: 1t ASKS see'
ond for honesty in elections and pup
licitv in regard to campaign funos'
that the people may freely choose rePre,
sentatives in sympathy with them anu
nledged to guard their interests;
asks third, for such moii1icatio'i
81 our governmental methods as WIN
maize the senate an elective bodS,
ond Mace the control of the house Oh
in the hands Of ma
ioritv of its members. A few days
ago, in discussing the tariff question,
I dwelt upon the fourth demand nn"ue
nv orr party, namely, that taxa'ioh ue
lust. that the revenue laws De msue
for the purpose of raising reVenul
and not for the enrichment OF rev
at the expense of the many, ana Una.
the tariff law be supplemented by an
income tax which will more near!s
ooualize the governments burdens.
TO-DAY present another demand maui
In onr marty platform-the demand
that the grip Of the trusts be broken.
that competition be restored ana .ne
door Of opportunity be opened TO tue
t,,s;ness men and the toilers OF the
land. u....s.rx
Industrial Independence IS neces-
sary to political independence. Inc
free exercise Of the rights OF ciuAeh.
chin Is impossible when a few men
control the industries in which mi.
lion are employed. God forbid tna.
NO should compel the wage-earneIs
~. tho nation to address their peu-
lions to trust magnates, ana a'H
their daily bread. ALREADY we ~
seen how prone the monopoi's. ,he
make employment depend upon .n.
willingness OF the employe 10 pfos..
tute his ballot to the service Oh "
Th,s question should be- settled
,or. re can not afford to beQuetn II
40 a .lesacy OF woe to sneceeune
aone,.tion The conscience OF inc
reonie Il ALREADY awakened. ana tne
'SSonscienoe in the most pots7t iosce
~ which man has knowledge. Wnere
Law makes one righteous. conse'enG =
ocn,rois an hundred; whsrs one y
trpt nom wrons-doins ey tea, ,,., ..
prison doors. Thousand arg ses .'st.r
ed hv. ihose invisible W' ,~r'., rs
cor.ctenee rears aDo sn., rgsls Of
sranite II Is upon the conscienSe
&c. hnm.r institutions rest. and WIZ
t%s' . s" stirring Of the conscience no
orsst -eform Is possible To nat.
80, conscience already aroused We
snpeaI With the pledge that Dem"
cratic victory will mean the rins ,ns
out Of industrial despos.sm %,;ch busi.
Jus. vin be ts1ilt upon its merits.
ma IN vhich men will succeed. not in
n nr"oo or to the coercion they may
W sSle to practice. but in propors, s,a
% her industry. their ability and their
fidelity.