Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1908-08-12

but IL l. hardly party question. .
what L. n'"eSSary to make this party
question! When the Democratic con-
yention endorses a proposition by a
unanimous vO.e. and the Republican
contention rejects the proposition by a
vote ot se-en 10 one. does II not be-
come ~ iiSue between the parties &?
Mr.. Taft can not remove the question
from Tie arena OF politics by express
ing Il personal Inclination toward the
Democratic position For several
years lie has beea connected with
tic administration. What has he eyer
saij or done TO bring this question be-
fore the prblic? What enthusiasm
has he shot.a i'm the reformation OF
the senate: What influence could he
exert in behalf OF a reform which his
party has o"enly and notoriously con-
demned In is convention. and TO which
he is attached only by Il belated ex-
preston Of personal inclination?
The Gateway 20 Other Reforms.
"Shall the people rulef" Every
remedial measure OF national char
acter must run the gauntlct OF the
senate. The president may personally
incline toward a reform: the house
may consent TO it: but as long nS the
senate obStructs the reform. the pco-
pie must wait The president may
heed popular demand: the house may
yield TO public opinion: but as lon: as
the senate Is defiant. the rule OF the
people is defeated. The Democratic
platform very properly describes the
popular election OF senators rs the
gateway To other national reforms. 4"
Shall We open the gate. or shall we
allow the exploiting interests TO bar
the way 10y the control OF this branch
or the federal legislature? Through
Democratic victory. and through a
Democratic victory only. can the peo-
pie secure the popular election Of SEN
ators. The smaller parties are unable
TO secure this reform: the Republican
party, under its present leadership. is
resolutely opposed To il: the Democratic
party stands for il and has boldly de-
mdnded II. IL | am elected 10 the
presidency. those who are elected upon
the ticket with me will be. like my
self. pledged 10 this reform. and I
shall convene congress I'm extraordi.
nary session Immediately after inau-
guratlon, and ask. among other things.
for the fulhllment OF this platform
pledge
House Rules Despotic.
The third instrumenta;ity employed
TO defeat the will Of the people IS
found in the rules OF the house OF rep
resentatives. Our platform points out
that the house OF representatives was
designed by the fathers Of the consti-
tuition, to be the popular branch OF our
government, responsive 10 the public
WILL" aud adds:
The house OF representatives. rs
controlled In recent years by the Re
publican party, has ceased 10 be 4 de-
Lucrative and legislative body. reSpon-
sive TO the will OF Il majority OF the
members, but has come under the all
solUe domination OF the speaker who
has entire control OF its deliberations.
and powers OF legislation.
I'VE have observed with amazement
the popular branch OF our federal gov
ernment helpless 10 obtain either the
consideration or enactment OF meas
ures desired by a majority OF its mem.
bers"
This arraignment Is fully justified
The reform Republicans In the house
or representatives. when In the minor
ity In their own party, are rs helpless
TO obtain hearing or TO secure vote
upon measure as are the Democrats.
In the recent session Of the present
congress. there was considerable elc-
ment in the Republican party favorable
10 remedial legislation; but few lead
ers. in control OF the organization.
deSpotically suppressed these Nom
berS. ana thus forced Il real majority
in the house 10 submit 10 well organ
lied minority. The Republican national
convention, Instead Of rebuking this
attack upon popular government. eulo-
Slzed congress and nominated as the
Republican candidate for vice president
one OF the men who shared in the re.
sponsibility for the coercion OF the
house. Our party demands that "the
house of representatives shall again
become 4 deliberative body, controlled
~ " A4"JNAANS VI Nut people : repre-
Sentatives, and not by the speaker"
and Is pledged TO adopt such rules
and regulations 10 govern the house
or representatives as will enable n ma
1ority Of its members TO direct its de
hberations and control legislation"
'Shal the people ruleF" They can
not do 50 unless they can control the
house of representatives, and through
their representatives in the house, give
expression to their purposes and their
desires. The Republican party is
committed 10 the methods now in
vogue in the house of representatives:
the Democratic party is pledged to
such a revision OF the rules rs will
bring the popular branch OF the federal
government into harmony with the
Ideas of those who framed our consti.
tuition and founded our government.
Other Issues Will Be Discussed Later.
"Shall the people rule?" | repeat. is
declared by our platform TO be the
overShadowing question, and as the
campaign progresses. shall take occa-
sion TO discuss this question us il man.
ifests itself in other issues; for whether
we consider the tariff question. the
trust question. the railroad question.
the banking question. the labor queS-