Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1908-08-12

to consider the measure, and since
that time no effort has been made
BY the dominant party to secure
remedial legislation upon this sub
ject.
Why No Legislation?
For ten years the interstate COM
merce commission has been asking
for an enlargement of its powers
that II might prevent rebates and dis
ordinations, but a republican SEN
ate and a republican house of repre-
sentatives we're unmoved by It's en-
treaties. In 1900 the republican ma
tional convention was urged to en-
dorse the demand for railway legis-
lation. 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 re-
ceiVed more cordial support from the
democrats than from the republicans.
The republicans in the senate DELHI
erately defeated several amendments
offered by Senator LaFollette and
supported by the democrats amend
ments embodying legislation asked
by the Interstate commerce commits
sion. One OF the amendments
authorized the ascertainment OF the
value OF railroads. This amend
ment was not only defeated by the
senate. but II was Overwhelmingly
rejected by the recent republican ma
tlonal convention. and the republi-
can candidate has sought to rescue
his party from the disastrous re-
suits OF this act by expressing him
self, in qualified way In favor OF
ascertaining the value of railroads.
Publicity A. 20 Campaign Contribu-
lions,
An effort has been made to Sc
cure legislation requiring publicity
a. % campaign contributions and ex-
penditures; but the republican
leaders, even In the face OF an in
dignant public, refused to consent to
q 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 %.
Here, too. Mr.. Taft has been driven
70 apologize for his convention and
then to declare himself In favor Of
q publicity law.
Promises Publicity.
How can the people hope to rule.
II they are not able to learn until
after the election what the preda-
tory interests are doing. The demo-
cratic party meets the issue honestly
and couFageousIy. II says: I'VE
plego the democratic party to the
enactment OF a law prohibiting any
corporation from contributing to a
campaign fund. before October is to
be made public on or before that day.
those received afterward to be- made
public ON the day received. and no
such contributions 10 be accepted
within three days Of election. The
expenditures are 10 be published
after the election. Here Ii plan
which IL complete and effective.
Popular Eelectlon OF Senators.
Next TO the corrupt use of money,
the present method OF eleotlng United
States senator's Is most responsible
for the obstruction OF reforms, For
zoe years after the adoption OF the
constitution, the demand for the
popular election Of senator's, while
finding increased expression. did not
become q dominant sentiment.
Of late years. state after state has
endorsed this reform. until nearly
two-thirds OF the states have recorded
themselves in It's favor The United
States senate, however. lmpudently
and arrogantly obstruets the passage
Of the resolution, Notwithstanding the
fact that the voters OF the United
States By an overwhelming majority
demand Il. And this refusal Is the
more significant when Il IL remem-
bered that number OF senators
owe their election TO great corporate
interests.
Three democratic national plat.
forms--the platforms of 1900. 1904
and ls0S--speclally call for change
In the constitution which will put
the election OF senators IN the hands
OF the voters and the proposition has
been endorsed by a number OF the
smaller parties, but no republican
national convention has been willing
20 champion the cause of the people
on this subject. The subject was L.
nored BY the republican national
convention In fQ0O A. vsas lgnaNa.,