The Richfield recorder. (Richfield, Idaho) 1909-1931, 1912-09-12
RUS coNTRIlUTIoNs no POLITICS.

IhAeI MD iAN'Nc ~ O%AH
Did you ever notice that, in the list of awful trusts re-
presented by the ultra-republican as supporting Roosevelt,
the Standard Oil, the Beef Trust, the Tobacco Trust and the
Smelter Trust are not found? The Standard Oil, 'dissolv-
ed by President Taft, cleared three hundred million dollars
in the market and income value of its holdings by that legal
dissolution: the Tobacco Trust, also dissolved and reor
ganized by President Taft and his Federal court. cleared on
" a little less by this dreadful prosecution. And the Beef
Trust only hopes that its present poignant prosecution will
bring an order and a court plan for its dissolution, and add
a hundred millions to its value. And Senator euggenhelm
of The unprecedented Smelter Trust sits heavily upon the min
ing development of the West, and is as regular a republi
can as Penrose, or Quay, or Barnes, or Root, orany ofthem.
1t is certainly true that for many years big interests have
contributed heavily to the republican campaign fund. They
have done this for 80 years. 1t is to be doubted if ever I'M
til this year, and possibly not now, they ever had an immun-
ity contract. Having a majority vote, they always nominal
ed eastern men whose training made them see through the
interests eyes. And they have seldom or never neglected to
have a hedging bet laid with the democrats; which was such
unbelievable luck in Cleveland's time. Everybody knows
that the national campaigns have been run this way that the
republicans got the most because they were the strongest and
50 the best bet. Roosevelt has never denied that these big
interests contributed to the party funds: though when he had
a case pending against Standard Oil he ordered that no sub
scriptions be received from them; and not even Penrose. their
agent. has dared TO say that he promised immunity. These
bio interests have been the financial mainstav of the repubH-
can party; but the people believed that the general welfare
made the capitalist and the laborer and the farmer want and
need the same thing. 1t would have gone on the same way
indefinitely, but for the accident of Roosevelt as president,
and the marvellous awakening Of public conscience in the last
eight years.
The republican national platforms of 1904, and again in
1908, lauded Roosevelt as no other American has been laud-
ed. In 1868. they knew everything they now know Of the
'crime of 1904" but they piled it OH thicker than ever. In
Idaho, no later than six weeks ago, a republican state con-
vention eulogized by name the Roosevelt administration.
AS a matter of fact, Roosevelt deserved these endorse
ments; he was far bigger and better than his party associates.
Starting in with the incubus of the vicious old system, with
the party leaders a unit for the spols system, and with the
public as lethargic as a chloroformed dog, he has made them
all awake. The spokesman class has not changed the biggest
benehciaries of the old regime still have their Penroses, Gug-
g%enheims, Archbolds to lead. They have been proving, for
the purpose of eleeting Taft over Roosevelt, that the rcpuh-
lican party is a professional fence, a porch-climber, a pick
pocket, a thief that stole for hire and then robbed its employ
er: by innumerable state and national conventions the party
ratified all the acts of the leaders who did these crimes---so be
a man and vote for the party of glorious history!
The lying picture set before the nation by the Taft press
is enough to drive almost every one but a hypocrite or thief
to vote against this republican party Of unutterable history.
Fortunately the people know them to be lies, or halftruthsl
which are more despicabe than allies; and a few honest men
will still vote the republican national ticket despite its lying,
character-assassin leaders. But this plan of campaign is max
ing Roosevelt and Wilson and Debs votes by the million
either Of which is a distinct gain, if one must believe that this
unutterably vile trash that falsely damns its own party his
tory and all its leaders whom it has endorsed, for a moment
airy advantage, is the republican party of today.
But none of this poison brigade's work need keep any one
from voting the republican state ticket in Idaho. Man for
man, it is the best in the field; record for record, it deserves
to win; and with Borah and French and Smith for its nation
al representatives.. it would be business suicide or bankruptcy
to vote any other ticket.