New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-06-04

Walter Brown. as chairman. In calling
the meeting 10 order. had the first
chance in the convention TO present the
Roosevelt side.
Representative government is on trial
in Ohio to-day" he said The issue Is
whether this convention shall represent
the will of the people or whether it shall
misrepresent them. At the primary cleo
tion on May - the Republicans IN
thirty-four of the forty-tvo districts de-
clared decisively for former President
Roosevelt. Are you going TO thwart the
EXPRESSED will Of the Republican voters
VI the state?"
Roosevelt's name brought forth the
first demonstration. Pro- Roosevelt dele
gates and alternatcs cheered several
minutes.
The Taft people got their chance
little later. when Senator Burton men
toned the President and enumerated
some Of the accomplishments Of the Re
publican party during the last four
years. Led b. the Cincinnati delegation.
the delegates broke into cheer which
was a little longer than that for RooSe.
~clt. This was evened mp a moment
later when Senator Burton mentioned
Colonel Roosevelts name.
The delivery of the address was not
made easy for Senator Burton. He was
repeatedly interrupted by calls from the
delegates. He made no reply. however.
. , nd .4arafIilt reai
his speech. making only slight dcviations
from the document.
Senator Surton's Speech.
Senator Burton declared that the country
was confronted with crisis far surpass-
/ ing any through which II has passed In the
memory ~ the present generation He de-
plored the absence from the polls Of a great
percentage Of voters In recent state Pr-
marios
| Foroshadowing many OF the tonets that
Will be iaid Town In the platform 10 no
adopted az the coming national Republican
convention he urged monetary reforms.
tariff revision based on accurate lniorma-
| ton. the lowering ~ some duties with due
regard 10 adequate aid TO American indus
! Try. q federal incorporation law. conscrva-
ton Of natural resources. safeguarding or
labor and a workmen's compensation law.
effective steps for peace among nations.
| the so-callcd short ballot and other policies
tie reviewed tho high cost Of living. which
| he traced 10 various causes. and declared
they were not attributable To the present
tariff law. Mr.. Burton said:
We arc involved in mad race. In which
! the weak are often forced 10 the wall, and
! only the strongest are able TO secure the
| highest prizes Of fortune The wheel OF
! fortune Is constantly changing The IN
eyitable result IS that the genius OF :he
time Is Industrial and commercial rather
| than political. Bald dishonesty has been
proved against men who sit high in the
Mer IN high positions OF public rcspor-
| sibili'y have shown dereliction I'm the per-
f0rmance Of their trusts. The great bod
~ the people, however. has been rcspon-
sible I'm no small degree for existing evils
Fortunately. there has been a widespread
awakening The country has rarely ever
been more prosperous. and tho keenest at
tcntiOn IT, given to the safeguarding of hu-
man rights and TO securing equality Of on
pOrtuntv. There Is tendency 10 talk less
about the growth Of bank deposits, In
creased production Of iron and steel or cX-
cess Of imports over exports. and more
about those movements which pertain di-
rectly 10 human happiness and welfare.
Light Vote at Primaries.
Senator Burton deplored the spectacle Of
a vote barely one-half that OF the total
electorate In recent primaries In Ohio and
other states. The absence Of voluntary in
terest In the ballot box he characterized
as alarming. lie contended for a revival of
interest in civic matters. lie predicted that
no radical changes looking toward civic
betterment would follow such reforms as
the primary. the initiative. the referendum
and certainly not the recall, unless there
he widespread awakening which shall
arouse the citizen Ia new and abiding
sense OF his responsibility to the state and
to the community OF which he IL a mem
Der" He added:
Certain benefits indirect in their nature,
would no doubt result from the adoption
OF some OF these changes. nor shall we fear
that revolutionary or destructive changes
for d hT legislation Propo.tons e wo4d
be presented under the initiative which
would no doubt cause a rude Jolt to many
well meaning conservative citizens.
Heavy Weight on the Nation.
The disadvantages arising from these
conditions have rested with a heavy weight
upon the Republicans Of Ohio and the ma
ton: But let US not be discouraged We
confidently challenge our opponents for a
comparison OF records and are ready to
appeal again TO the American people 10
affairs OF the nation shall he intrusted
next November. The United States owes
It's wonderful position In the front rank Of
the nations OF the world to the wise poll
cies and benefcent administration OF its
AFFAIRS by tho Republican party.
The last four years OF Republican con.
troll Of the nation have been marked with
an Unprecedented amount OF benefcent
legislation The work on the Panama
Canal has been pushed rapidly until we
are now planning the day when the first
ride gracefully through its locks, uniting
the waters OF the Atlantic Ocean with the
Pacific. The present administration has
been marked by an unprecedented number
OF successful prosecutions under the Sher-
man ANTITRUST law, and the most powerful
corporations OF the land have been hailed
into court and taught that laws must be
obeyed, that the rich are no more power.
justice all men must stand alike. The
sugar trust. the tobacco trust. the oil
trust, are but three among score that
have felt the strong arm OF retribution.
Legislation has been enacted TO regulate
the abuses which have been practlsed By
the railroads; rebaters have been prose.
to charge more for the short haul than
for the long haul, save under the strictest
limitations and regulation; pools have been
eliminated and additional powers have been
Commission. such for example. as the pow.
er 10 forbid railroads to advance rates with
out notice and hearings TO determine their
To remove the question of tariff lesisla.
ton from the influence o. political consid.
erat!ons and 20 spare business the demcr-
all1ation incident 10 constant tariff agtts.
to study the whols question Of import