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About The commoner. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-1923 | View Entire Issue (April 27, 1906)
,J rr , ft -r 'mj TV " t -V r t- ifjpl)" APRIL 27, 1906 The Commoner. w '"TSH CKJppwj "mr "? " l ir r . AS GOOD AS HIS PARTY j A monument to the late Matthew S. Quay, for ao many years the republican leader of Penn sylvania, is to be erected at Harrisburg. A writ er in the Philadelphia Ledger (republican) sug gests for the proposed monument the following inscription: MATTHEW STANLEY QUAY. The peerless leader and sagacious statesman. He never made a speech nor formulated a policy. ' - But Ho understood better than any man since Webster and Clay" the Art of getting cash for campaigns and votes for an election. There was no "interest" he did not favor. To the laborer, he offered work. To the millionaire, more millions. To the officeholder, office and pmore offices. Tb the manufacturer, protection. To the philanthropist, state funds for charity. To the criminal, immunity from the law. He thus bound the whole' people to him, and established a political system the pride and glory of our state. To illustrate their admiration of his charac ter, and as an example for the youth of Pennsylvania, a grateful Common wealth has erected tliis monument on the spot where grew that plum tree he loved so well. A very interesting inscription, indeed. ' It was offered in criticism of the methods of Quay, yet the Philadelphia Ledger overlooks the fact that much that is said in this "tribute" to the famous Pennsylvania politician may be said of the political party which the Ledger has so faithfully served. The republican party understands "the art of getting cash for campaigns." It has favored special interests, promised "the full dinner pail" to the laborer, more billions to the billionaires and more shelter to the tariff barons. It has given immunity to several distinguished men guilty of crimes, and under the pretense of "de fending the national honor" has built' up, and continues to defend, a system that takes from the many in order to enrich the few, that op presses the masses in order to pamper the classes; and with all of its wickedness and folly it con tinues to pose as "the party of God and morality!" Surely "Mat" Quay was a fitting represen tative of such a party. , Surely those who were the beneficiaries of his skillful services should not look lightly upon his memory. JJJ "SWOLLEN" FORTUNES In his" speech at Washington Mr. Roosevelt expressed the opinion that it might soon become necessary to adopt an inheritance tax in order that the people might protect themselves against "fortunes swollen beyond all healthy limits." limits." Mr. Roosevelt did not use the words "inheritance tax;" he seemed deliberately to avoid the word, although the word describes his suggestion. While Mr. Roosevelt was approach ing democratic ground he might have declared in favor of an Income tax because, as one of the greatest authorities has written "the subjects of every state ought to contribute toward the sup port of government as nearly as possible in pro portion to their respective abilities that is, In proportion to the revenue which they respectively enjoy under the protection of the state." If Mr. Roosevelt's speech against "fortunes swollen beyond all healthy limits" means anything at all it means the income tax, becaus,e,x while the public would derive benefit from the inherit ance tax only on one occasion and in the event of death the income tax would be of continuing and permanent service 'to the public. But in his declamations against "fortunes swollen beyond all healthy limits" Mr. Roosevelt might have gone still farther. He might have declared it to be e part of -wisdom for those who stand for the public welfare to insist upon "locking the barn before the animal is stolen." He might have said that nearly all of these great fortunes have been "swollen beyond healthy limits" by reason of special privileges. He might have declared that the special privileges enjoyed by these men of "fortunes swollen beyond all healthy lifnits" must be withdrawn in order that equal rights may be given to all. Mr Roosevelt's halting declarations in favor of an inheritance tax and his declamations against fortunes "swollen beyond all healthy limits are not entirely consistent with his opposition to tariff revision. And it is also true that at the very time, when Mr. Roosevelt was delivering 'this speech a house committee was holding so called healings on the ship subsidy bill, whllo the advo cates of that iniquitous measure were pointing with pride to the fact that Mr. Roosevelt favors -the ship subsidy, and that several of the depart ments under the Roosevelt administration .have officially indorsed the plan. f Mr. Roosevelt would undertake to put a check upon these swollen fortunes through an inherit ance tax, and then ho would make it possible for these fortunes to undergo the swelling process again through tho infamous ship subsidy scheme. JJJ "CAPITALISTIC OPPORTUNITIES" The Washington correspondent for the St. Louis Globe-Democrat tells his readers that Sena tor Aldrlch of Rhode Island has "capitalistic affil iation" and "openly consults with the men who control in that hazy yet positive element popu larly known as 'the Wall Street crowd.'" This correspondent says that Mr. Aldrlch "seldom takes any step in or out of the senate without consult ing with his New York City connections," and that "he is related to the men who control Stand ard Oil, and has made millions in association with them." . ' Yet this correspondent says "he possesses the ability to apparently unite in common cause the incongruous elements of the senate and direct them along a common channel." t The Globe-Democrat is now admitting what has for years been charged by democrats. May be Mr. Aldrich's success is not entirely due to his ability. Maybe the elements of the senate which Mr. Aldrlch controls are not so "incongruous" as some would have us believe. Certainly he. is not the only member of the United States senate whose record and conduct justify the impression , that he has "capitalistic affiliations." JJJ TAKE THE PRECURSER At a New York 'conference where socialists predominated a gentleman complained that tho socialists s had no working program, and suggest ed that they affiliate with the republican party and "after converting it to their views proceed to use it for the foundation of a new republic." The dispatch says that "excitement ensued" and this speaker took no further part In tho pro ceedings. There is small reason for any one to get ex cited about such a proposition. The republican leaders preach the doctrine that trusts and other, combinations are part of an unavoidable ovolu- tion. 'Inasmuch ah ''the republican jrnrly advo cates a, plan whereby proporty is concentrated in the hands of a few, it would seem to bo particu larly appropriate that when the republican doc trine has reached the limit of the people's pat ience, tho socialists should take charge of the republican party which, according to eminent au thority, is the precursor of socialism. JJJ PERHAPS THIS WILL EXPLAIN IT William E, Curtis calls attention to the in teresting fact, that on January 1, 1906, the price of beef cattle was the lowest since the Dopart mont of Agriculture began keeping a record. Then ho points out tho companion fact that beef prices were highor. This may prove a puzzle to those who were informed by the Garfield report that tho packers were not making exorbitant profits, but perhaps a little study will reveal the secret of tho puzzle. The profits the packers used to make before tho days of tho by-products may now be consumed by the expense of taking care of the aforesaid by-products. The Commoner doea not offer this as a hard-and-fast solution of the puzzle, but it may bo worthy of consideration. At any rate it seems to be about tho only ex planation to offer, considering the constantly in , creasing chasm betweon what the cattle raiser gets and the beef consumer has to pay. JJJ WELLMAN'S PROPHECY In tho early part of December last Walter Wollman, Washington correspondent for the Chi cago Record-Herald, wired his paper that tho republican leaders "feel that they can fix up the railroad rate question without having a big row within tho party, and without setting tho admin istration at loggerheads with the men who have been its chief supporters in the halls of congress. Curiously enough, tho senate leaders, almost to a man, believe that the president will accept what they have to offer him. They think ho is in a conciliatory mood and prepared to take what he can get." -- At the time Mr. Wellman printed this state ment Senator Long of Kansas,' the gentleman who introduced in the senate what is known as the Roosevelt amendment was dodging his con stituents who were calling upon him to sec where he stood upon railway rate legislation. And the general public was really in Ignorance of Senator Long's position until ne appeared upon the floor of tho senate as the champion of the amendment which proposes to grvc to tho court the power to suspend tho rate. EVERY ONE MAY HELP IN THIS WORK Taking advantage of The Commoner's spe cial offer, the following named subscribers have sent in yearly subscriptions in number as fol lows: Henry A. Parsons, Kansas City, Kari., 10; J. C. Reams, Malcom, la., 8; A. S. Brasen,' Chicago, 111., 15; John McCorkle, Glasgow, Mo., 14; Peter J. Meloy, Townsend, Mont., G; G. P. Willis, Doth an, Ala., G; C. L. Wilson, Saranac, Mich., 7; A. D. Mattison, Adams Basin, N. Y., G; Thos, Conn ley, Shoals, Ind., 10; R. S. Chambers, Graux, W. Va., 7; John McCorkle, Glasgow, Mo., G; C. W. Hunt, Seim, S. D 6; E. TJ. Aumiller, Wrights ville, Pa., G; M. B. Dilley, Forest Grove, Oregon, G; Joseph Kestler, Wabash, Ind., 7; T. E. Bal lard, Cloverdale, W. Va., 6; W. E. Crone, Spring field, Mo., G; John Her, Shelby, Ohio, 7; Jacob Twining, Newtown, Pa., 7; 'J. F. Cunningham, San Jose, Cal., 17; A. K. Espy, Mulkeytown, 111., 7. Each of the following named subscribers have sent in five yearly subscriptions: F. N. Dimond, Sauk Centre, Minn.; John. T. Arnold, Nor walk, O.-; Wm. Marion Clouse, Ohio City, Ohio; Henry .Beeny, Sheldon, Mo.; Dr. D. M. Yeary, Farmers ville, Texas; Henry Shipley, Johnstown, Ohio; James Flynn, New York City, N. Y.; Glen God dard, Chesterfield, O.; Chas. Mcllwain, Lone Wolf, Okla.; H. T. Brantley, McKinney, Tex.; Reuben Miller, Mitchell, Ind.; H. B. Miller, Chelan, -Wash.; H. E. Norman, Buffalo, N. Y.; E. F. Yoeman, West Plains, MoV; N. McAulay, Tacoma, Wn.; A. W. Peterson, Iron wood, Mich.; Jacob Diefenthaler, Millbury, Ohio; J. D. Curtis, N. Bennington, Vt.; T. I. Stiles, Troupsburg, N. Y.; G. D. Clyner, Goodland, Ind.; J. R. Heckard, Wheatland, la.; S. C. Cox, Peach Bottom, Va.; Thos. Sharpless, Scotland, Ind.; John M. Wickizer, Argos, Ind. Everyone who approves of tho work The Commoner is doing is invited to co-operate along the .'lines of the special subscription offer. Ac cording to the terms of this offer cards each good for one year's subscription to The Commoner, will be furnished in lots of five, at tho rate of $8 per lot. This places the yearly subscription rato at GO cents. Any one ordering these cards may soli them for $1 each, thus earning a commission of $2 on each lot sold, or he may sell them at the cost price and find compensation in the fact that he has contributed to the educational campaign. These cards may be paid for when ordered, or they may be ordered and remittance made after they haye been sold. A coupon is pfinted below for the convenience of those who desire to par ticipate in this effort to increase The Commoner's circulation: THE COMMONER'S SPECIAL OFFER Application tor Subscription Cards 5 10 15 20 25 50 75 100 Publisher Commoner: I am Interested in In creasing The Commoner's circulation, and de sire you to send me a supply of subscription curds. I agree to use my utmost endeavor to sell the cards, and will remit for them at the rate of CO cents each, when sold. Name. Box, on Stueet No P. "O. State. Indicate the number of cards wanted by marking X opposite one of the numbers print ed on end of this blank. If you believe the paper is doing a work that mer its encouragement, fill out the above coupon and mall It to THB COMMONER. Lincoln. Heb. i