Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1908-07-17
PUBLICITY OF CAMPAIGN coNTR1Br.

| TIONS.
| We demand federal legislation for
ever terminating the partnership which
has existed between corporations of the
| country and the Republican party.
In order that this practice shall be
| stopped for all time, we demand the
passage OF a statute furnishing with
imprisonment any officer of corpora
| ton who shall either contribute on be-
half OF or consent to the contribution
by corporation of any money or any
! thing of value to be used in furthering
the election of president or vice-presi-
dent of the United States, or of any
member of congress thereof.
We pledge the Democratic party to
\ the enactment of law providing for
the publication before election OF all
contributions above a reasonable mini
mum.
RAILROAD REGULATION.
We assert the right of congress to ex-
ercise complete control over interstate
| commerce and the right of each state
to exercise like cOutrol over commerce
within it's borders.
We demand such enlargement of the
powers of the interstate commerce COM
mission as may be necessary to compel
railroads to perform their duties as
common carriers and prevent discrimi-
nation and eXtOrtiOn.
We favor such legislation as will pro-
hibit the railroads from engaging in
business which brings them into COM
petition with their shippers, also legis-
lation which will assure such reduction
in transportation rates as conditions
will permit.
We insist that federal remedies for
the regulation of interstate commerce
and for the prevention of private mo-
nopoly shall be added to, not substitute
ed for state remedies.
ECONOMY,IN ADMINISTRATORS.
The Republican congress in session
just ended has made appropriation
amounting to Sl,QOs, 5000 exceeding
the total expenditures Of the past fiscal
year by $90, 100000 and leaving def
cit Of more than $50, OQQ,Q 900 for the
fiscal year, We denounce the needless
waste of the peoples money which has
resulted in this appalling increase as a
shameful violation of all prudent con.
ditiOns of government as no less than
crime against the millions of work
ing men and women from whose earn
ings the great proportion of these colos-
sal sums must be eXtorted through ex-
cessive tariff eXactions and other indi-
rect methods.
EOincident with the enormous in
crease IN expenditures is q like addition
to the number Of otficeholders. During
the past year %, 1874 were added, cost
ing $l6, 10000, and in the past six
years OF the Republican administration
the total number Of new offices created,
aside from many commission has been
90,3l9, entailing an additional expendi-
ture Of nearly $40, 900, 0O0 We denounce
this great and growing increase in the
number of otficeholders as unnecessary
and WastRfHfi
BANKING,
The panic Of 1907, coming without
any legitimate excuse, when the Re-
publican party had for a decade been
In complete control of the federal gov
eminent, furnishes additional proof
that 1t is either unwilling or incompe-
tent to protect the interests of the gen
eral PUBLIC. 1t has so linked the cOun-
try to Wall street that the sins of the
spectators are visited upon the whole
people;
We believe that in so far as the needs |
OF commerce require an emergency cur
rency such currency should be issued,
by the federal government
and loaned on adequate security to ma
tional and state banks. We pledge
ourselves to legislation under which the |
banks shall be required to es-
tabllsh a guarantee fund for the |
nrAm nj of
any iasQ1Yent national bank under an
equitable system which shall be avail
able to all state banking institutions
wishing to use it.
we favor postal savings bank if |
tne guaranteed bank cannot be secured. |
THE MISUSE OF PATRONAGE.
We condemn as violation of the
spirit OF our institutions the action of |
the present chief executive in using |
the patronage of his high Office to Sc
cure the nomination of one of his cabi- |
net officers.
WATERWAYS.
Water furnishes the cheapest means
OF transportation, and the national gov
eminent, having the control of naviga-
BILE waters, should improve them to |
their fullest capacity. We earnestly |
favor the immediate adoption of lib
eral and comprehensive plan for i'm
proving every water course in the I'm
ion which is justified by the need of |
commerce.
We favor an immediate declaration
OF the nations purpose to recognize the
of the Philippine Islands
as soon as stable government can be es-
tablished.
we favor an income tax as part of |
our revenue system, and we urge the |
OF a constitutional amend |
mcnt specifically authorizing congress
to levy and collect tax upon individ-
ual and corporate incomes and favor
election OF United States senators by |
direct vote.
We pledge the Democratic party to
the enactment of a law to regulate the |
rates and services of telegraph and |
telephone companies engaged in the |
of messages between the
states, under the jurisdiction of the in
terstate commerce commission.
THE NAVY.
The constitutional provision that a
navy shall be provided and maintained
AAS.'AA' navy oucIuotc w ueleQO the
entire American coast and all citizens.
We are opposed to the admission of
Asiatic immigrants who cannot be
amalgamated with our population, of
whose presence among us would raise
race issue and involve us in contro-
versies with oriental powers
We believe in the upbuilding of the
American and merchant marine with
out bounties from the public treasury.
We advocate the organization of
national bureau of public health.
We favor generous pension policy.
TRUSTS.
We favor the vigorous enforcement
of the criminal law against guilty trust
and officials and demand the
enactment of SUCH additional legisla-
ton as may be necessary to make it
for private monopoly to
exist in the United States. Among the |
additional remedies we specify three
first, alaw preventing duplication of
RI