Monroe City Democrat. (Monroe City, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1912-10-31


nave not only watched carefully, DuL
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-
sentativcs at Washington passed for
the first time q resolution submitting
the necessary amendment. Since that
time q similar resolution has been
passed by the house in FIVE other con-
gresses-hrst, in 1894 by another Dem
oorRtic 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 Endorsed in
three Democratic platforms, the plat
forms Of 1900. 1904 and 1908. and It
has been Endorsed by the legislatures
of nearly two-thirds of the states. Mr..
Roosevelt must have known of the eff
fort which was being made by the peo-
pie to secure the popular 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 a 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 vote of seven to one, q resolution
indorsing this reform.
Still Mr.. Roosevelt did not say any
thing. He neither rebuked the Repub-
ltcan convention nor indorsed the
strong plank which was included in
the Denver platform. Even Mr.. Taft
went 80 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
ratihcation--he declares himself In IA
vor of II. 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 Il?
r. r. and tho Income Tax
Mr.. Roosevelt Is in favor of an In.
come tax. How long since? His first
Endorsement of it was during his SEQ
ond term. and then 1t was suggested
as a means of limiting swollen for.
tunes and not as a means of raising
revenue. The Democratic party In
cIuded 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-ths 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'foar states; but, so far as
know, Mr. Roosevelt has never made
a speech in favor OF its ratification
nor. since the submission Of the