The daily sentinel., 1913-05-26
THE FAIR STORE
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the nation. You commissioner him to
do it, Will you cover him with the
shame and humiliation of failure?
VIII you force him to confess that
MS party Is party of sham and hy-
pocrisyy Will you desert him at the
very crisis of his administration Z?
What can he say If a democrat tic SEN
ate shall prove false and pull the pill
lars of the democratic temple from
the foundations of the edifice? Shall
We confound his policy and break
his heart? Gentlemen. let me ask
in all kindness. do you realize the
nature of the step you would have me
take?
For | must assume that your re-
quest relates to ultimate action on
the bill. As member of the finance
committee. | shall strike for such
measure as my judgment approves,
but without that bargaining which
may imperil everything. No petit
tions are needed to prompt such ac-
ton But opposition to the bill when
reported back to the senate is very
different thing. 1t is not such a mea-
sure as | would frame, nor that
want to accept This is largely true
of every senator. We did not make
it: We will endeayor to change some
things in it. Then the conference
must decide.
The senate has for years been un-
der the just reproach of control by
great public interests. 1t has long
been an obstacle to the accomplish
ment of great national reforms. 1t
has defeated every genuine tariff bill
that the house has sent to ii by
changing and deforming its proyi-
sions. When we organized il last
March. We promised to shape its ac-
tions as redeem dts ancient reputa-
ton. We have assumed a great pub
lie duty, the performance whereof We
cannot avoid. If at the first oppor-
tunity We prove recreant to ii and
sanction instead of repudisting its
former course, the people will con-
clude that whether the senate be re-
publican or democratic is of no con-
cern, for the leopard cannot change
its spots. Gentlemen, ! have taken
solemn oath to discharge the du-
ties of my office to the best OF my
ability. l shall keep this oath as
understand it. Mine is the sole re-
sponsibility. | shall vote for the Un-
derwood bill as It is finally reported
to the senate. subject only to such
changes ard notifications aH the
democratic majority may accept. The
effect of such course upon my po-
litical future, II / have any, is OF
small concern. do not want seat
in the senate. IL l must retain it by
the sacrifice of principles or the
abandonment of solemn obligations.
Let me bid you be OF good cheer.
All these dismal forebodings of de
stroyed industries and vanishing
prosperity are the Nightmares of
frightened privilege. swollen with
the wealth that comes from the bur-
dened consumer. The beet sugar in
dustry shall be alive and prosperous
long after we have passed away. 1t
has been reaping golden rewards up
on its $50. 900. 900 of investment and
its added $4,000, 900 of water. Four
years ago and two years ago it Is as
serted that it could rot survive any
reduction whatever. II now clamors
for a permanent 25 per cent reduc-
ton. 1t is the old story. The time
has come when taxation shall be
largely shifted from the shoulders of
consumption to the land and accum-
ulated wealth of the nation.
Very respectfully yours.
c. S. THOMAS.