The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-10-17

CIu0eO an income TAX pTOVlSAOA III SAc
Wilson law of 1894. When this pro-
vision was declared unconstitutional
by the supreme court by a majority
Of one the Democratic party renewed
the fight and has contended for the
income tax in three national cam
paigns. In 1908 the Democratic plat
form demanded the submission Of an
amendment specifically authorizing
an income tax-the very amendment
now before the states for ratification.
+ Mr.. Roosevelt's candidate, Mr.. Taft,
declared during the campaign that an
amendment was not necessary, and
Mr.. Roosevelt never made any argu-
ment In favor Of the amendment or IN
favor of the principle embodied in 1t.
The amendment has now been ratified
by thirty-four states; but, so far as
know, Mr.. Roosevelt has never made
a speech in favor Of its ratification
nor, since the submission of the
amendment, made speech urging an
income tax as part Of our fiscal sys-
tenn. It would not require any great
stretch of generosity on his part to
credit the Democratic party with pri-
GRITTY in the advocacy Of this reform.
Not Always For Railroad Regulation.
Mr. Roosevelt Is now an advocate Of
railroad regulation. When did he COM
mence? The Democratic party in It's
platforms Of 1896, 1900 and 1904 de-
manded an extension of the powers OF
the interstate commerce commission.
Up to 1904 Mr.. Roosevelt never dis
cussed the subject of railroad regula-
ton officially or in public speech, SO
far as I have been able to find. Al
though nominated without opposition
in the convention Of 1904, his platform
contained NO promise of railroad regu-
lation. BY its attitude on the railroad
question the Democratic party alienat-
ed the support of those railway officials
who counted themselves Democrats,
and Mr.. Roosevelt both in 1900, when
he was candidate for vice-president,
and in 1904, when he was candidate
for president, had the benefit of the
support Of those ex.Democrats. It was
in 1904 that he wrote his famous let
ter to Mr.. Hartman and in the state
of New York profited by the campaign
fund that Mr.. Hartman raised.
When after 1904 Mr.. Roosevelt took
up the subject of railroad regulation
he found more hearty support among
the Democrats IN the senate and house
than among the Republicans. so that
h1 hoo ~ hot h
ocratic party has for long time plant
ed itself boldly upon the peoples side
on the subject of railroad regulation.
Under the circumstances we might
expect some complimentary reference
to our party's attitude instead of
anathemas.
T. RS Complete somersauIt.
On the subject of publicity as to
campaign contributions he has not only
adopted the Democratic position, but
he has been compelled to turn a COM
plete somersault in order to do so. In
1908 the Democratic platform demand
ed the publication before election Of
LuC udluS6 VI 1uuANIuudA COuIl .
and the amounts contributed. Mr..
Roosevelt at that time Endorsed Mr..
Taft's contention that the publication
should be deferred until after the cleo
ton, and even went so far as to give
reasons for believing that it would be
improper to make the publication be-
fore the election. Two years later he
declared in favor Of publicity before
and after the election. landing on the
Democratic side shortly before the law
was enacted carrying out the Demo
cratic platform on this subject. Here,
surely, he ought to praise the Demo
cratic party for the pioneer work 1t
has done in purifying politics.
Here are few Of the things which
bear the Democratic brand, and with
all of his experience on the plains he
will not be able to work the brand
over" so as to make it look like IT. R."