West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1908-08-13

party, under It's present leadership. Is
resolutely opposed To Il; the Democratic
party stands FOR IL and has boldly dc.
manded II. II l am elected to the
presidency, those who are elected upon
the ticket with me viii Ice. like my
self. pledged TO this reform. and 1
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 Despotie.
Tho third instrumentalIty employed
TO defeat the will OF the people IL
found In the rules OF the house OF rep
resentauves. Our platform points out
that "the house OF representatives was
designed 10y the fathers OF the constl-
tuition. TO bc the popular branch OF our
government. responsive TO the public
WILL" and adds:
The house of representatives, as
controlled In recent years 10y the Re
publican party, has ceased TO be de-
Lucrative and Legislative body, rcspon-
sivc TO the will OF majority OF the
A'NhAtNANt bAA mas AhluN uuutI tue Nh-
solutc domination of the speaker who
has entire control OF it's deliberations,
and powers of legislation.
I'VE have observed with amazement
the popular branch of our federal gov
crnment helpless TO obtain either the
consideration or enactment OF meas
urcs desired 10y n majority of It's mem
bcrs."
This arraignment Is fully justified.
The reform Republicans I'm the house
OF representatives. when In the minor
ity I'm their own party, are as helpless
TO obtain n hearing or TO secure vote
upon measure as are the Democrats.
In the recent session of the present
congress, there was n considerable ele-
ment I'm the Republican party favorable
TO remedial legislation; but a few lead
ers, In control OF the organization,
despotically suppressed these mem
bers, and thus forced II real majority
In the house TO submit TO q we'll organ
lied minority. The Republican national
convention, instead ot rebuking this
attack upon popular government, eulo-
glzed congress and nominated as the
Republican candidate for vice president
one or the men who shared I'm the re-
sponsibillty for the coercion of the
house. our party demands that "the
house of representatives shall again
become delibcratiye body, controlled
by n majority OF the peoples repre-
sontatlves. and not by the speaker"
and is pledged TO adopt such rules
and regulations TO govern the house
OF representatives as will enable ma-
Jority of It's members TO direct It's de-
liberations and control legislation"
shall the people ruleT They can
not do so unless they can control the
house OF representatives, and through
their Representatives I'm the house, give
expression to their purposes and their
desires. The Republican party IL
committed to the methods now I'm
vogue In tho house of representatives;
the Democratic party Is pledged TO
such a revision OF the rules ns 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 10 be the
overshadoylng question, and as the
campaign progresses, shall take occa-
sion TO discuss this question ms It man
ifcsts Itself I'm other issues for whether
we consider the tariff question, the
trust question, the railroad question.
the banking question, the labor ques-
tlon, the question Of Imperialism, the
development OF our waterways, or any
other Of the numerous problems which
press for solution, we shall find that
the real question involved I'm each is,
whether the government shall remain
mere business asset OF favor seeking
corporations or be an instrument In
the hands OF the people for the ad-
sancement OF the common veal.
Democratic Party Has Earned Con-
fidenee.
If the voters are satisfied with the
record OF the Republican party and
with It's management Of public affairs
we can not reasonably ask for n
change I'm administration If. however,
the voters feel that the people, as a
whole, have too little influence In shap-
ing the policies OF the government; II
they feel that great combinations Of
capital have encroached upon tho
rights OF the masses, and employed the
instrumcntalltles OF government to Sc
cure an unfair share OF the total wealth
produced, then we have right 10 ex-
pect verdict against the Republican
party and I'm favor Of the Democratic
party; for our party has risked defeat
aye, suffered defeat-in It's effort 90
arouse the conscience Of the public and
60 bring about that very awakening TO
which Mr.. Taft has referred.
Only those are worthy TO be cntrust-
ed with leadership in n great cause
who are willing to die for II. and the
Democratic party has proven It's WORTH
ness by its refusal to purchase victory
by delivering the people into the hands
OF those who have despoilcd them. I'm
this contest between Democracy on IA,
one side and plutocracy on the other
the Democratic party has taken its 20
sition on the side Of equal rights, and
invites the opposition Of those who use
politics 70 secure special privileges and
governmental favoritlsm Gauging tb'
progress of the nation, not by the hap
pincss or wealth or refinement Of q
few, but "by the prosperity and ad
vanccmcut Of the average man" tho
Democratic party charges the Repub
lican party with being the promoter oi
present abuses, the opponent Of ncces
sary remedies and the only bulwark oi
private monopoly. The Democratic par
~ afiirms that I'm this campaign 80 Is
the only party, having n prospect oi
success, which stands for justice in
government and for equity IN the divi
sion Of the fruits of industry.
Dsmoeratie Party Dsfander Of Honesl