Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-07-11

yuated reductions should be made in
such other schedules as may be neces--
lsary TO restore the tariff to revenue
basis.
Existing duties have given to the
manufacturers of paper a shelter be-
hind which they have organized COM
Ibinations to raise the price of pulp and
of paper, thus imposing tax upon the
Ispread of knowledge.
We demand the immediate repeal of
the tariff on pulp print paper. lumber.
Timber and logs, and tat these arti-
lcles be placed upon the free list,
PUBLICITY OF CAMPAIGN
CONTRIBUTIONS.
We demand federal legislation for
lever terminating the partnership which
has existed between corporations of
the country and the republican party
under the expressed or implied agree
ment that in return for the contribu-
ton of great sums of money wherewith
to purchase elections they should be
Iallowed to continue substantially un-
molested in their efforts to encroach
upon the rights of the people.
ANY reasonable doubt as to the ex-
Iistence of this relation mas been for
lever expelled by the sworn testimony
: Iof witnesses examined in the insur-
ance investigation in New. York, and
the open admission unchallenged by
the republican national committee OF
a single individual, that he himself at
the personal request of the republican
) candidate for the presidency raised
over a quarter of a million dollars to
be used in a single state during the
: closing hours of the last campaign. In
order that this practice shall be stop
ped for all time, We demand the pas
< sage of statute furnishing with i'm
prisonment any officer of a corporation
: who shall either contribute on behalf
e lof, or consent to the contribution by
< a corporation of any money or thins
e lof value to be used in furthering the
e election of president or vice presi
f dent of the United States or of any
l. member of the congress thereof.
Il We denounce the action of the re
publican party, having complete con
e troll of the federal government, for it:
failure to pass the bill introduced il
y the last congress to compel the publica
" tion of the names of contributors ant
+ the amounts contributed toward cam
L paign funds, and point to the evidenc,
e of their insincerity when they sough
q by an absolutely irrelevant and impos
: sible amendment to defeat the passag
2 of the bill AS further evidence o
S their intention to conduct their cam
" paign in the coming contest with vas
l. sums of money wrested from favor
lseeking corporations, we call attention
e to the fact that the recent republican
n national convention at Chicago refuse,
It when the plank was presented to it t
S declare against such practices.
l. We pledge the democratic party t,
e the enactment of a law preventing an.
E corporation contributing to campaign
II fund and any individual from contribu
ting an amount above a REASONABLY
l. maximum and providing for the publ
e cation before election of all such con
e tributiOns.
IT RAILROAD REGULATION.
~ We assert the right of congress t
= exercise complete control over inter
u state commerce and the right of eac
u state to exercise like control over con
il mesce within its borders.
Il We demand such enlargement of tn
II powers of the interstate commerce
&c commission as may be necessary t
d compel railroads to perform their dl
u ties as common carriers and proven
u discrimination and extortion
u We favor the efficient supervisio
IL and rate legislation of railroads enga:
ed in interstate commerce, and to Uni
W end we recommend the valuation
E. railroads by the interstate commerc
II commission, such valuation to TAX
H. into consideration the physical valu
ie of the property, the original cost, co:
of production and all elements of valu
that will render the valuation mad
Sc fair and just
TT We favor such legislation as will pr
ly hibit the railroads from engaging
of business which brings them into cor
IS petition with shippets, also legislatic
n which will assure such reduction
mt transportation rates as conditions wi
ed permit, care being taken to avoid r
at auctions that would compel a redu
&C. ton of-~ages, prevent adequate servi'
he or do injustice to legitimate inves
wv ments We heartily approve the Law
of prohibiting the pass and the rebat
he and we favor any further necessa
EN- legislation to restrain, control and pl
an vent such abuses.
he We favor such legislation as will
les crease the power of the interstate col
les merce commission, giving to it the
be itiative with reference to rates al
re- transportation charges put into effe
Tiff by the railroad companies, and p'
,ci- hitting the interstate commerce co
ch mission on it's own initiative to decla
old a rate illegal and as being more tn
adj should be charged for such servi'