Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1912-10-26

Rluded 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 nm
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 amend
ment, made a speech urging an income
tax as part OF our fiscal system. IL
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
cd the subject Of railroad regulation Of
6cially or In public speech. 80 far as
. have been able to find. Although NOM
mated without opposition In the con-
vention 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 a. 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
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
he has reason to know that the Dem
ocratic party has for a 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.
r. RS Complies Sonnersault.
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 ut that time indorsed Mr..
Taft's contention that the publication
should be deferred until after the cleo
ton. and even went so dar as to give
reasons for believing that 1t 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 a 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 1t look like IT. r."