The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-07-27
Declares That People Must
Decide Grave Issue and
Defeat "Old Guard
ROOSEVELT KNOWS
WHO PREPARED 1T
Editorial Defends Rights of Peo-
pie Against Inroads of
T rusts-Avows for
Democracy.

NEW YORK, July 27---"The four
Issues before the American people
this year--direce primaries. congress
SIGNAL organization railway regulation
and conservation--are all one and the
same; the perpetualIy recurring issue
between oligarchy and democracy"
In this way. the Outlook. in Its cur
rent issue, sums up an editorial on
the coming campaign" although not
signed by Coolnel Roosevelt and not
written In his characteristic style. the
article Is known OF express in many
respects his views. and there Is good
reason to believe that he vas con-
suited in it's preparation. The para
mount issue" S&yy the article, ION
which the American people will have
to vote In the campaign this fall Is not
between the republican and democrat
parties, but protection and a free
trade. between Balilnger and anti
Ballinger. II is between Oligarchy
and Democracy.
The oligarch Is an organization
man. He frankly disbelieves that the
people have either the time or the
wisdom TO select their rulers. He viii
allow them a veto power on the Sc
lection Of rulers made by the
oligarchy. but nothing more.
Its Democracy.
The Outlook believes In demo
crazy; 1t dIsbelieves In oligarchy. It
therefore advises it's readers TO vote
for the candidates in the State tNew
York; election who are pledged to a
direct primary"
The editorial asserts that the house
Of representatives has long been ruled
by an oligarchy. known as the old
guard and declares that both repub-
licans and democrats have united in
the effort to keep the oiigarchy Ill
power.
The Outlook believes,' continues
the editorial. that 1t Is much more
important to have a house Of repre-
sentafives which the majority con-
lican party controls. It prefers a
popular house. which ever party con-
trolls, to an oliEarchic house.
1T therefore advises it's readers to
ascertain which of the candidates be-
fore the primaries and which of the
candidates before the people believe
IN such an organization of the rules
and such an administration of legisla-
tive business as will give real power
TO the majority, and It advises them
to vote for that candidate whatever
his party affiliations.
Roads and Conservation.
on the railway question, the edi-
toriai says: The railway oligarchy
has regarded the railways as private
property to be administered for the
benefit OF private ownership. Demo-
cracy has regarded the railways a
public highway to be administered
for the benefit of the public"
nd tn n
primaries and the election for candi-
dates for who believe in railway rate
regulation and against men who have
worked against such regulation. what
ever may be their respective party
relations.
Discussing conservation, the edi-
torial says "Oiigarchy believes that
authority over public wealth must be
intrusted to the few because only the
few are wise enough to exercise 1t.
Democracy believes that authority
must be retained by the people be-
cause only so can they insure It's just
and equal distribution. We recon-
mend those OF our readers who share
with us our faith In Industrial demo-
crncy to vote for no man for either
Federal or State legislature who IL not
heartily in favor Of that conservation
which means such control of the pub
lie wealth by the public as with insure
to the public q just and equal Share
In its benefits.