The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1912-01-19

understand that power, or comprehend
the great purpose that lay behind IT,
aud vet unable to curb it and seem
mo In spite OF himself, To increase ITS
volume by the very acts attempted to
check it. What has happened? What
Il il that the standpat ranks OF the
Republican party vaguely battle with
Why is the country attempting TO break
away from old party formulas, and blaze
new path for itself in politics under
changed leadership, and by new meas
ure of reform.
Because within less than a genera
tion all the economic conditions of life
and business in this country have
changed almost beyond recognition, while
our politics have all but stood still.
There has been much controversy. There
has been loud shouting as il upon a
field of battle Some measures OF re-
form there have been, but there has
been no steady, consistent force to give
them their full effect, to guide them, 70
adapt them to conditions all along the
line The sum of the matter Is That
our life has changed and that our pol
isies are belated Our laws lag almost
a generation behind our business condl-
tons and our political exigencies.
"Those who insist upon undertaking
the adjustment; those who argue that
our laws should he brought up to date
to the date marked upon the calendar
of our economic advance and change,
are called radicals, not because they
would change the facts, but because
tbey would adjust the law to the facts
Il do not perceive in the
United States any dangerous volume OF
passionate dissatisfaction. 1t seems to
me that the air grows clearer rather
than thicker. There is no sign OF storm
ON the horizon but there are many
signs of a hopeful and better day.
Those who once contended that nothing
was the matter. are now admitting that
great deal is the matter; that mueh
has been done in the world OF business
and in the money market that ought
not to have been done. They are grow
ing willing to discuss the matter; to
confer; to admit the necessity for rem
edies, and while their temper has
changed, the temper of reformers has
perhaps, grown more sober They are
beginning to discuss the practicable
means of change in a more direct and
business-like way.
Recent Investigations, have been of
the greatest service. They have dis
closed and are disclosing, item by item,
lust the methods of business which have
been most harmful and most unjust. /
think they have opened the eyes Of the
very men who gave the testimony.
1--WE see that somewhere near
tbe centre of the whole trouble lies the
great system of governmental fayors
which we call the tariff. Round about
the tariff has been built up body of
business undertaking in which control
has been too much concentrated. In
order TO maintain this control it has
been necessary to be secure OF the pat
ronage of the government, and so bus
mess has gone deep into politics. Leg
islative action has been controlled by
special business interests. Party ma
chipery has been used to serve private
purposes and to make sure pecuniary
profit. The whole normal process OF
government has been reversed and gov
ernment itself has come to be privately
owned. The phrase may be exaggerated
hut il is only the brief epitome OF a
state Of affairs. the main facts of which
are only too plain.
"And so progressiyes are drawing to-