The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1912-08-16
BRYAN ON ROOSEVELT.
Tardy as Reformer-Backed by
Steel Trust.

Steel Trust.
The tariff planks in regard to tht
conservation of human resources will ap
peal to the public, especially those pro-
hibiting child labor and excessive hours,
together with those demanding day
of rest each week, a living minimum,
legislation for the prevention of acci-
dents, for the abolition of convict con-
tract labor, and for publicity in regard
to labor conditions.
The inheritance tax plank is also
good, and the plank calling for greater
safeguards for the prevention Of mon
opoly of our natural resources.
The tariff plank is the same old sham
that has been used for a generation to
deceive the public. The protective sys-
tenn is held up as a sacred institution,
and support is given to the tariff COM
mission idea, which is always brought
forward to delay reduction when the
people rise in revolt against high tariff
duties
The plank on the trust question is a
restatement of Mr.. Roosevelt's posi-
tion, which leads directly to socialism.
The doctrine that the trust is a national
development and must be accepted as
permanent, is the basis of the Socialist
propaganda. The Socialist, however,
recognizes that a private monopoly
cannot be successfully controlled, and
insist that the gqSasslsaent shall own
and operate the ty fhe new party,
on the other hand, clings to the idea
that the trust can be left in private
hands and yet be effectively controlled
through National bureau.
All history is against this theory.
municipalities are taking over mu-
nicipal plants because city councils are
corrupted by municipal corporations.
If it is possible for municipal plant
to be successfully controlled when in
private hands, how can we hope to con-
troll billion dollar trusts through a Ma
tional bureau, when the trusts will have
so large a pecuniary interest in con-
trolling the administration that ap-
points the members of the bureau. The
position of the new party on trusts is SO
absolutely untenable as to prevent its
of any large number of
the people, when it is fully under
stood.
The most Rooseveltesque plank of the
platform, however, is the one demand
ing an indefinite extension to the pow
ers of the Federal government and the
abridgement of the rights of the States.
This for years has been the note in Mr..
Roosevelt's political creed. The re-
;traints of the Constitution are irritat-
ng to him. He not only desires to in
,rease the authority of the Federal
at the expense of the States,
'ut he desires to enlarge the powers of
he National Executive at the expense
If other departments.
Whatever Democrats may think of
Ir. Roosevelt's attitude on other ques-
ions, and however highly they may
egard the national work he has done,
hey cannot join him in overturning
he Constitutional division of authority
etween the State and the Nation. The
Democratic party believes in the full
Sc of federal authority for the protec-
on of the public, but instead of sub
,ituting Federal remedies for State
emedies, it would add Federal reme- y
les to State remedies and thus give
le people the benefit of both.
CORPORATIONS WOULD BENEFIT. q
The Roosevelt plan, however hon C
;tly advanced, is not in the interest of
0pular government, but in the inter
It of a more selfish and sordid exploit D
ion of the people. Every lawyer b
nows that the big corporations fly to Il
e Federal courts in order to escape o
e State courts, and how big business i
with Mr.. Roosevelt's aid, seeking p
ltional Incorporation as a means of b
cape from the restraints imposed by tc
e States in the interest of the people. ot
"And now as to the candidates. Gov.
hnson, the nominee for Vice Presi- fp
mt, is an excellent man and has made q,
splendid record as progressive, but n,
g fact that Mr.. Roosevelt was the only ao
e considered in connection with the %
esidential nomination, shows how ar
mpletely the organization is based on
n and his personality. Concediag
erything that can be said in behalf of q
osevelt's great ability, his fighting "s
alities and his educational work, it uS
- L. 1 We