The Madisonian. (Richmond, Ky.) 1913-1914, 1914-02-24
largely by men who dominated the
Taft convention in 1912.
WIN He Join Progresslves3

VIII he join FrooressiVesf
Recently when Champ Clark in
speech at Baltimore prophesied that
Borah would be the nominee OF the
Republican party for the presidency
in 1916, the Idaho man replied by re-
pudiating all suggestion of ambition.
and by saying certain fine things
about the great leader Of the Progress
i've party which made it appear to
some persons that he had high hope
that the Republicans would find some
means of endorsing Theodore Roose-
welt for the presidency. While the
senator may have had nothing in
mind except the amalgamation of the
Republican and the Progressive par
ties, there was that In what he said
which for some reason or other had
made the Progressive leaders believe
it is within the range of possibilities
that ere long there will be a new
recruit fully enlisted in the ranks OF
the new party. Are they right?
The Progressives in Washington,
while apparently hopeful that Mr..
Borah eventually will Join their ranks,
are somewhat disappointed because in
his recent speech he did not come out
squarely and sharply in favor of kick
ing the bosses out of the Republican
party. Mr.. Borah said the ranks must
rule, but the Progressives say he
should have called the bosses by name
and have declared their departure
from the party was an absolute neces-
sity before any thought CT amalgama-
ton could be entertained.
In his speech before the New York
Republican club Mr.. Borah, however,
said a most significant thing. 1t did
not stand out as paragraph by itself.
It was wedged In between material Of
much less political moment. The Pro-
gressive leaders in Washington today
are reading and rereading these words
Of Borah:
IF the Republican voters are not
of the term, then the way for some of
US is clear"
Overs Stock Exchange Bill.
It seems likely now that congress
will decline this winter at least to
pass the bill introduced by Senator
Owen of Oklahoma and known by
! this title: "a Bill to Prevent the
Use of the Mails and of The Telegraph
and Telephone in Furtherance Of
Fraudulent and Harmful Transac
tons of Stock Exchanges"
This measure stands in danger o.
postponement If not defeat because In
its present form a good many mem
bers of congress, many Of them in the
ranks of Mr.. Owens own politica
party, seem to think that it should bt
amended materially before given
chance for passage.
This stock exchange legislative en-
deavor of Mr.. Owen, the Democrat!
seem to believe, is not an administra
tive measure, and it is even said tina
Mr. Owen has not asked Mr.. Wilson
for his approval of this legislative of
spring of his skill. Some of the Demo
Gratis are asking If Mr.. Owen is afrait
Of having his request for approval de
MED in a way that would probably xii
the bill before it is given even
chance for it's life in the house an
senate. The title of the measure l
one which would make 1t appear tina
what Mr.. Owen seeks today is worthy
There is no doubt, of course, that tn
senator has worthy motives, but TO
some reason or other a good many col
gressmen think the fraudulent an
harmful stock exchange transaction
which would be stopped by the bil
could not be considered an Offset 70
what they aver would be the harr
done to things they do not care to Sc
injured.
Plenty of Defense Offered.
There have been hearings on tn
bill before the senate committee o
banking and currency. The press ha
carried only a small part of the ev
dence offered In defense Of the stoc
exchanges. Men interested in the bi
exchanges of the country came her
and testified at great length In beha
of the methods under which the sellin
and the buying of stock were carrie
on It Is true that some members
congress say what the stock exchang
men have said does not carry convi
ton to them that the legislation as a.
/ piled to exchanges is wrong. but ther
! are others who say 1t has carried col
viction to them that the promises hel
out by the legislation are OF delusiv
kind.
; That which is of the sharpest int
1 est in this matter to persons who hay
= no dealings with stock exchanges
: the charge made by members of Co
4 gress irrespective of political parti'
; that in a great degree 1t would e.
8 danger the liberties of the press OF Il
: country. If the bill should happen
9 go through as It is at present draw
4 it is charged that Postmaster Gener
e Burleson would have given him POI
ers of censorship as great as tho
l. given to military authorities in tin
l. of war. Some members say that
S they understand the bill it seems
!. them if it became law 1t would
/. criminal to mail any letter, packag
n circular, pamphlet, postcard, newsp
O per or any other form Of printed
Q written statement concerning trar
g actions and securities sold or offer,
!, | e. cole NV on unfncornorated st0