The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1912-10-23
Shall the People RuIef

Take his paramount issue OF the
present campaign-namely, the rule of
the people. The platform adopted by
the Democratic national convention at
Denver four years ago contained the
following:
Shall the people ruler is the over
whelming issue which manifests itself
In all the questions now under discus
sion"
Here is the very phrase which he
employs, and it is not only declared to
be an issue, but the overwhelming is-
sue. Il was dwelt upon by the candi-
dates and by other speakers during the
campaign, 30 that Mr.. Roosevelt. then
president. may be assumed to have had
notice of 1t. He not only refused to
admit then that 1t was the paramount
issue. but he displayed extraordinary
Rctivity in urging upon the country
Mr. Taft, whom he has since declared
60 be the agent of bosses and the enc
my Of popular government.
II would seem that he ought to make
some slight acknowledgement Of his
Indebtedness to the Democratic party
ior suggesting this issue to him. At
least, he might put the issue in quota
tion marks
He is now advocating the direct
election of senators. but If he ever ex-
pressed himself In favor OF this reform
earlier than two years ago the fact
has escaped my observation, and
have not only watched carefully, but
waited anxiously. for some favorable
expression from him
long Fight For Popular Election OF
Senators.
The Democratic party began the
fight for the popular election Of sena-
tors twenty years ago this summer,
when a Democratic house of repre-
aentatives at Washington passed for
the first time resolution submitting
the necessary amendment. Since that |
time similar resolution has been
passed by the house In FIVE other CON
gresses--flrst, In 1894 by another Dem.
oorstio house; then, after two con-
crosses had elapsed, by three Republi.
can houses, and, last, by the present
Democratic house. During the twenty
years the reform has been indorsed in
three pemocratic platforms. the plat
forms OF 1900, 1904 and 1905, and II
has been tndorsed by the legislatures
Of nearly 3wo-thlrds of ths states. Mr..
Roosevelt must have known OF the ef-
'ort which was being made by the peo-
Pile to secure the popular election of
senator's, and yet he took no part In
he fsht During this time he was
president for seven and one-half years.
Ind II is quite certain that ringing
message from him would have brought .
yietory to the peoples cause. but no
message came. Four years ago the
convention which he controlled and
which Nominated Mr. Taft rejected
~ vote Of seven to one, q resolution
ndorstng this reform.
still Mr. Roosevelt did not saw anv.
hing He neither rebuked the Repub- |
loan Convention nor indorsed the
trong plank which was included in
he Denver platform. Even Mr.. Taft
vent so far during the campaign OF
soS as TO say that PERSONALLY he
Tes INCLINED to favor the popular I
lection OF senators by the people. but
IT Roosevelt did not even indicate an
ntention In that direction. Now, when
be reform is practically secured-ths
nendment being before the states for
atincation-he declares himself in IA II
or OF It. Would 1t not be fair for H
im to indicate in some way his ar q
recitation of the long continued light II
aged By the Democrats in behalf OF
ais reform before he espoused it7 III
T. r. and the Income Tax
Mr., Roosevelt is in favor of an in
1me tax. How long since? His first
Of it was during his sec
I'D term, and then it was suggested
J a means Of limiting swollen for
ines aAd not as q means Of raising III
venue. The Democratic party In. 1 /
ID HEgCBr al E-zrf rnxa-. -.sssr.s fr-~-~ III