Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-03-23

I should adopt no new plan to please |
few voters. The Democratic party must ,
stand by fundamental principles and ap-
ply them to present conditions.
"Ar now concede that sound money
is right.
We. cannot sustain the policy Of gov
eminent guarantee of bank deposits. So
far as 1 can learn, it originated with
Republican secretary of the treasury and
was the pet of the Republican chair
man of the committee on banks.
I True Democracy stands for consti- /
tutional government for equality or
opportunity, and against special privi-
Ieses While it guards the rights OF
property, IT seeks always the bettermenl
of the human race, the advancement or
the less fortunate in the battle of life.
It represents the cause of so per cent
of the voters. While Mr. Roosevelt in
terspersed his administration with some
Democratic policies, the complexion On
the cabinet of Mr.. Taft indicates that
those with special privileges need fear
no attack from that direction.
THE preservation of constitutional
government is as important 1t was
when our forefathers made the constitu-
ton.
Tariff Still a Vital Issue
THE issue of popular government has
not been solved. 1t is being more and
more endangered by the power of the
organized interests to coerce their men
by suspensions from work and cuts OF
wages just before election day under
the claim that those who\seek justice and
a square deal are endRngering business.
1.-The tariff will not cease to be vital
issue after the measure now being pre-
pared is passed. Who can hope Tor an
intelligent reimbursement Of tariff duties
by the Republicans? The new bill is to
be based upon the doctrine of making
the duties cover the difference between
the cost of production in foreign coun-
tries and in the United States, together
with a reasonable profit TO stockholders.
There has been no real study OF the
question of relative cost, and no lnVes-
tigation of what stocks represent IN
vestment and what water. The president
will be amiable. The Republican SEN
ators and congressman who represent
the protected interests will make the new
tariff bill. not based upon scientific in
vestigation but upon the wishes of THEN
friends. If by any chance they Ilno
| themselves in the minority, then tney
will postpone action.
There has been a dangerous growth
during the past few years of monopoly
created by illegal trusts. The necessity
for resisting it has increased in the last
ten years and will remain a live issue
after the administration of Mr.. Taft has
ended.
"A fair opportunity for individual et-
forts freed from the crushing power or
monopoly, will come only through a real
democratic administration.
How can permanent results be expected
from the Republican party? Even Mr..
\ Roosevelt permitted the absorption by the
United States Steel Trust of it's chief
rival the Tennessee Coal and Iron COM
panY.
Il Transportation Problem
During recent years competition has
been practically eliminated between trans
portation companies. The problem OF mo-
nopoly growing out Of illegal trusts ana
railroad consolidation requires legislative
action and fearless administration, not Tor
the purpose of destroying property rights
but for the purpose of protecting them
The values of all property are affected
by transportation. The farmer, the mer-
chant and the day lab0rer, depends FOL
his income upon the transportation OF
what he produces or what he owns from
the place of production to the place or
consumption. Charges and facilities Tor
transportation fix or destroy values.
] There are three views upon this sub
iect. One is to permit the unrestricted
control of the great public highways In
the hands of their owners. Another de-
mands public ownership of transportation.
The third is the sound democratic doc
trine It requires supervision and regula-
ton. state and national, to the end that
the transportation companies may receive
n lust and reasonable return from capital
invested and that the public shall receive
a service reasonably adequate and at rea-
sonable charges.
THE Democratic doctrine for handling
this great question is through national
, and state commissions. The representa-
, tives upon these commissions should be
VAN IL a
national and state courts of last resort.
They should be capable and willing to
see that no unjust burdens are placed up
on the transportation companies, and yet
that the rights of the patrons of the
transportation companies are fully guard
ed.
ITO these commissions must be given
, all the power that is necessary to per-
form the important duties placed upon
, Them and they should have the power
, to prevent the reckless Spectator In the
, | stocks and bonds of transportation COM
. panies from loading the companies with
. securities far in excess of the money &C
. tually in the properties.
How can you expect administration
and legislation duly guarding the rights
of the public where trusts and transporta-
. ton companies are concerned when their
, attorneys are in the cabinet, their repre-
, sentatives in the senate, and their cham
pion in the speakers chair. do not hope
: even that the great senator from New
= York will press reform with much siren
uosity do not mean to question the in
! tegrity Of these gentlemen, but the man
! who has spent his professional life resist
ing the regulation Of trusts and public
service companies becomes naturally their
, partisan, and is hardly in position to
serve the public.
TRUE Democracy represents the inter
ests of the great body of the people, II
should shun socialism on the one side
, and plutocracy on the other.
The Democratic party must really rep
resent devotion to official duty.
''It cannot afford to place the political
agents of the favored interests or the
CRATER national, state or municipal, In
control Of it's organization or in charge of
its policies.
! ''It must appeal to the laboring men,
to the farmers, to the merchants and to
the manufacturers, to all who are seek
ing no unjust privilege to the disadvant-
age of their fellow citizens.
81 have no doubt that a good majority
of the voters of New York believe in the