The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-06-26

contributing to campaign funds of
the party which in turn protected the
special privileges enjoyed by the
donors. But competition prevented
in some instances the collection from
the people of The full sum stipulated
In the tariff, To secure 1t all. tempt
ed thu cupdity and stimulated the
ingenuity of the beneheiaries. But
one way could be found-combinatio
to control the price up 10 the point
where the statute let In foreign com
petition The same party shut out
foreign competition was found will
Ing TO permit the formation of com
binsttons which effectually banlshed
home competition The common law
on the subject ard the Sherman act
were treated by Republican officials
as repealed by implication. Need II
be said that the protected interests,
for these larger privileges. made lar
ger contributions?
We are indebted to the president
for the evidence that his predeces-
sor, having first enjoyed an interview
with George w aPerkins. restrained
his attorney general from bringing
suit against the Harvester eomb.oa-
ton
For the steel corporation he went
further. for he wrote his attorney
general in advance of Its absorption
of the Tennessee Coal and Iron com
pay that he had decided to inter
pose no objection >
indeed he apparently stood ready
to perform similar kindly offices for
all corporations, for he advocated the
passage OF a statute permitting vol
untary submission of all engaged in
interstate commerce 10 federal au-
thority with the advantage TO them
of immunity from prosecution be-
cause of contracts made II stamped
in advance with executive approval
as reasoTa bic
Whatever of excuse may be Of
fered thu ugly truth Is that the Re
publican national machine has re-
ceived the moneys of the corporate
and individual beneficaries of the
tariffs and combinations and In re-
turn has compelled congress 70 con-
tinue high tariff rates and their at
torney generals to close their eyes Z"
violations of the law.
Il submit that the jury OF the
people should find as a general YER
dict that the failure of the executive
and legislative branches OF govern
ment. both federal and State, to pro-
tect the people from the special
!
is deeply rooted In d corrupt alliance
between the latter and leaders OF the
/ Republican party.
.itrpon that verdict but one Judg-
ment can be entered. that of eVic-
ton
Mr.. Parker quoted the much-dis-
cussed letter written by tolonei
Roosevelt to the late t. II. Harri-
mainland sa4a-Mr-t Hartman rea1
between the lines OF that letter, hur-
rted 20 Washington hurried back
and promptly raised the quarter o.
million dollars, with $4,000 over
for good measure.
This incident plainly discloses the
tiSanlent- that binds the Repoolleas Il
nart, to the interests preying upon
the people and defytng the law
THE time has come when the sa
finn of tA4-.-et4stry demands the
+. ,,ax4,.,1f.tiy,rf of the leaders OF e tts'-
haI1ched party. and the restoration 10
Mace and power Of men OF hlgn
Ideals who will wage unceasing wal
against corruption in politics, WI.
u{u enforce the law against notl
rich and poor, and who Will 'rea'
gn.l. as personal and punish IL ac'
cordingIy
For their crimes against Amesi i
/ can citizenship the present leaders Oh
: the Republican party should be de-
/ stroyed.
For making and keeping the edr-
/ gain to take care of that tarir pro-
teeted interests In consideration oil
campaign funds they should be de
stroyed.
For encouraging the creation OF
/ combinations to restrain trade, ane
| refusing to enforce the law, for
| like consideration they should be de-
stroyed
For the lavish waste Of the pup
/ tic funds: for the fraudulent DISPOSE
ton of the peoples domain. and for
/ their contribution toward the diVi-
sion of the people into classes, they
t should be destroyed.
I For these foes To seize for the
executive department of the Federal
: government powers rightfuiiy belong
I Ing to the States, they should be
destroyed.
An destruction will be theirs, this
d very year. if we but do our duty.
j What is our duty To think alike
INTY ~ CTn A ~