The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1912-10-19

the present Democratic house. During
the twenty years the reform has been
indorsed in three Democratic platforms,
the platforms of 1900. 1904 and 1903,
and it has been Endorsed by the leg
islatures of nearly two-thirds of the
states. Mr.. Roosevelt must have
known of the effort which was being
made by the people to secure the popu-
lar election of senators, and yet he took
no part in the fight. During this time
he was president for seven and one
half years. and it is quite certain that
q ringing message from him would
have brought victory to the peoples
cause. but no message came. Four
years ago the convention which he
controlled and which nominated Mr.
Taft rejected. by a vote of seven to
Dne. resolution indorsing this reform.
Still Mr. Roosevelt did not say any
hing He neither rebuked the Repub-
lican convention nor Endorsed the
strong plank which was included in
the Denver platform: Even Mr.. Taft
went so far during the campaign of
1908 as to say that PERSONALLY he
was INCLINED to favor the popular
election of senators by the people, but
Mr.. Roosevelt did not even indicate an
Intention in that direction. Now. when
the reform is practically secured-the
amendment being before the states for
ratifcation-he declares himself in IA
vor of it. Would it not be fair for
him to indicate in some way his ap-
probation Of the long continued fight
waged by the Democrats in behalf of
this reform before he espoused it?
T. r. and the Income Tax.
Mr. Roosevelt is in favor of an in
come tax. How long since? His first
Endorsement of it was during his Sec
ond term. and then it was suggested
as means of limiting swollen for
tunes and not as means of raising
revenue. The Democratic party in.
Oluded an income tax provision in the
Wilson law of 1894. When this pro-
vision was declared unconstitutional
by the supreme court by 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 it.
The amendment has now been ratified
by thirty-four states; but, so far as
know. Mr.. Roosevelt has never made
speech in favor Of its ratification nor.
since the submission of the amend
ment, made a speech urging an income
tax as a part of our fiscal system. 1t
would not require any great stretch of
generosity on his part to credit the
Democratic party with priority 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 its
platforms of 1896, 1900 and 1904 de-
handed an extension Of the powers of
the interstate commerce commission.
Up to 1904 Mr.. Roosevelt never discuss
ed the subject Of railroad regulation Of
fcially or in public speech, so far as ]
have been able to find Although NOM
mated without opposition in the con
Vent1on OF 1904, his platform contained
no promise Of railroad regulation. By
its attitude on the railroad question
the Democratic party alienated the sup
port 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 a candidate for
president. had the benefit Of the sup
port Of those ex-Democrats. It was in
1904 that he wrote his famous letter
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
than among the Republicans. so that
he has reason to know that the Dem
ocratfc 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
the names Of individual contributors
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 dono In nurifvinp cOlifics