The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1912-10-23
Shall the People Rule?

Take his paramount issue OF the
present eampaign-namely, the rule OF
the people The platform adopted by
the Democratic national convention at
Denver four years ago contained the
following:
":shall the people ruler is the over
whelming issue which manifests itself
in all the questions now under discus
sion"
Here is the very phrase which he
employs, and it is not only declared to
be an issue, but the Overwhelming is
sue. It was dwelt upon by the candi-
dates and by other speakers during the
campaign, so that Mr.. Roosevelt, then
president, may be assumed to have had
notice of 1t. He not only refused to
admit then that 1t was the paramount
issue, but he displayed extraordinary
activity in urging upon the country
Mr.. Taft, whom he has since declared
to be the agent of bosses and the enc
my Of popular government.
It would seem that he ought to make
some slight acknowledgment Of his
indebtedness to the Democratic party
for suggesting this issue to him. At
least, he might put the issue In quota
ton marks.
He Is now advocating the direct
election Of senators, but II he ever e1-
pressed himself In favor of this reform
earlier than two years ago the fact
has escaped my observation, and
have not only watched carefully, but
waited anxiously, for some favorable
expression from him.
Long Fight For Popular Election Of
Senators.
The Democratic party began tho
tight for the popular election Of sena-
tsrs twenty years ago this summer,
when q Democratic house Of repre-
serte tives at Washington passed for
the first time a resolution submitting
the ecessary amendment. Since that
time a similar resolution has been
passed by the house in five other con-
gres; es-frst, In 1894 by another Dem
ocratic house; then, after two con-
crosses bad elapsed, by three Republi-
can houses, and, last, by the present
Democratic house. During the twenty
years the reform has been indorsed in
three Democratic platforms, the plat
forms of 1900, 1904 and 1908, and it
has been indorsed by the legislatures
Of nearly two-thirds Of the states. Mr..
Roosevelt must have known Of the ef-
fort which was being made by the peo-
pie 10 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-haif years.
and it is quite certain that 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 q vote of seven to one, resolution
indorsing this reform.
Still MI. Roosevelt did not say any
thing. He neither rebuked the Repub-
lican convention nor indorsed the
strong plank which was included in
the Denver platform. Even Mr.. Taft
went 80 far during the campaign Of
1908 az 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-ths
amendment being before the states for
ratiacation-he declares himself In "a
vor Of It. Would 1t not be fair for
him to indicate in some way his ap-
probation Of the long continued fight
wassd by the Democrats in behalf of
this reform before he espoused It?
r. r. and the Income Tax.
Mr.. Roosevelt is In favor Of an in
come tax. How long since? His first
Endorsement Of it was during his sec
ond term, and then it was suggested
as A means Of limiting swollen for.
tunes and not al a means OF raising
,aranna Tho Democratic marty In