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The Commoner,
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through tho indorscmont that President Roose
velt gave him, but can ho hold this vote when
ho conies faco to faco with tho economic ques
tions which press for solution? "With a repub
lican scnato and a republican house controlled
by what Mr. Roosevelt calls reactionaries, how
can ho escape conflict either with the republican
loaders or with tho republican voters of tho Mis
sissippi valley?
Tho democratic party, on tho contrary, is In
sympathy with the growing demand for reme
dial legislation; its platform outlines the re
forms which must bo secured. Tho reactionary
republicans will, in all probability, put their
party on record against these reforms, and by
that record it must be judged in the next cam
paign. The democratic party Is, therefore, row
ing with ,the tide, for the tide is onward. In
its fight for tho purification of politics, it is on
the Bido of tho majority; in its fight for a nearer
approach to popular government, it is on the
sldo of tho majority; in its fight- for tho over
throw of private monopoly and the restoration
of competition, it is on tho side of the majority.
In its demand for real and thorough tariff re
form, it is supported by public sentiment; in its
insistence upon effective railroad regulation, It
has tho peoplo behind it; in its effort to secure
greater protection to bank depositors, it is the
champion of tho majority.
Already tho republicans are wrangling among
themselves ovor tariff revision, and they will
.wrangle still moro as they como nearer to the
tlmo for action; while tho democrats, recogniz
ing tho responsibility of their position, and
strong in tho confidence that they feel in the
righteousness of their cause, are prepared to
wngo a winning fight against an opposition air
ready panic-stricken. It is moro than possible
it is even probable that the house of repre
sentatives to bo elected In 1910 will be demo
cratic. With that 'democratic body sending re
medial measures to tho senate, the issues of 1912
will bo clearly drawn, and tho republican party
will bo put on tho defensive.
New Iieadcrs of tho Democracy
"With several new democratic governors in the
states' whero tho reform element is strongest,
and with, tho prospect of a democratic congress
.to formulate the Issues of 1912, there is every
reason to boliovo that a number of strong leaders
will bo developed, and that from these a dem
ocratic candidate can bo selected who, by the
aid of events and with a united party behind
him, can win a national victory for democracy
and inaugurate the reforms, the advocacy of
which lias given to the democratic paTty its
wonderful vitality and its increasing strength.
The heart of the democratic party is sound;
the spirit of tho masses in the party Is unbroken,
lhere is, to be sure, certain work necessary to
be done, but it is work that is possible and work
which Is quite certain to be done.
Democratic Newspapers Needed
First, the organization of democratic clubs
there ought to be a permanont democratic club
in overy county, especially in the contested
States. These clubs should circulate literature
and encourage discussion.
Second, there ought to be a democratic paper
In every county, especially in the states which
are pivotal. Weekly papers can be started with
but little expense; they furnish the largest
amount of literature ut the lowest price, and
there are few communities in which the demo
crats are so poor that they can not establish
a democratic weekly. As soon as these demo
cratic weeklies get the democratic voters edu
cated up to the importance of subscribing for
democratic dailies, it will be possible to increase
the number of dailies in tho great cities, and
18 Slt0 10 paty a nwspaper representa
tion which will enable it to present its principles
and its policies to the public.
' No one need for a moment think that tho
democratic party is dead, or doubt that the re
publican party will find in it an adversary worthy
to bo considered. It is the reform party of tho
country; and it not only stands for reforms
but is strong enough to give to the reformer
JfaSable P of eing his hopes real
ized. The stars in their courses are fighting for
democracy, not only here, but everywhere, and
by fidelity tp democratic principles and to the
people whose only hope of securing justice i
to be found in the application of democratic
principles to every department of government--the
democratic party will earn a victory and
e'aVnlng, will win it. viwory, and,
Editor's Note Mr. W. C. Brown, who was
senior vice president of the New York Centra?
in November last, and who is now president of
that railroad, makes tho following comment on
tho statement attributed to him above: "This
story had its origin in some newspaper office in
Omaha. It was telegraphed all over the coun
try, and was promptly denied by me at the time
it appeared. There was not a road in tho New
York Central system that had placed an order
for equipment, or for anything else, contingent
on the result of the election, and I have never
made the statement referred to by Mr. Bryan."
KEEP PEGGING AWAY
Mr. H. V. Harris, Los Angeles, Cal., sends to
The Commoner a copy of the circular letter
signed by wholesale merchants and protesting
against the Payne tariff bill. Mr. Harris says:
"This self same issue was bravely fought in
our last national campaign and we lost. So long
as the present administration is in favor of rob
bing the people and absorbing the spoils, would
it not be well, if possible, to induce all repre
sentatives to assist the administration in carry
ing out this heinous tariff so that the people
will have an opportunity to learn who their
oppressors are? We love you for what you have
endeavored to do and many of us did all we
could. It is bettor to do right even though, ap
parently, we appear to lose. When such injus
J Ice as this is asked of us we hear ourselves say
ing: "What might have been."
The temptation to "let tho oppressors have
their own way" may readily be understood. But
so long as man is his brother's keeper so long
must those who see the evil in proposed legis
lation speak in protest and in behalf of those
who are too blind to understand the situation.
However discouraging the contest may seem,
however hopeless a task the effort to make the
majority of the masses see the facts that aTe
so plain to many of us, it is the duty of men
like Mr. Harris to fight these evils every inch
of the way. Let it be understood also that
men who fight evil for the sake of, good do not
need reward in the shape of office or political
prestige. They have their reward in the verv
effort they make.
STOP THE GAMBLING
For years efforts have been made to induce
congress to do something by way of putting a
stop to board of trade gambling in food stuffs.
The efforts of these men have been unavailing.
They have been sneered at by public officials
S ..we Presumel to represent the people.
Manifestly, gambling on the board of trade is
VOLUME'S, NUMBER 15
of no benefit to the public from any standpoint
It is, on tho contrary, a detriment to public in
terests and it imperils the happiness of men and
women generally while it jeopardizes the in
tegrlty of those who indulge in the sport. Count
less suicides are chargeable td this evil. The
penitentiaries are filled with men who lost their
honor in the bucket shop and tho lessons are
writ so large upon every public highway in
America that it is strange the American con
gress has not long ago used its power to blot
out the death-dealing machine known as the
board of trade gambling pit.
Those who have, for so many years, ignored
the importance of this question aTe now brought
face to face with its iniquity. All over tho
country the price of flour is being increased and
the price of bread in the larger cities is being
run up almost to the prohibitive point so far
as concerns the poor. Bread bakeries in many
of the cities are being closed. The situation
is so grave that it would not be tolerated two
days in a monarchy and yet this evil is not only
permitted but is actually defended in this re
public. Secretary Wilson is right when he says that
this situation is due to gambling, to the schem
ing of a coterie of men who are trafficing in
the food of the people. Congress has it within
its power to crush this Institution. The Louisi
ana lottery flourished for years until the Amer
ican congress denied to it the use. of the mails
and the telegraph, then the Louisiana lottery
died. Congress should make the same sort of
attack upon board of trade gambling. It should
act promptly in defense of the people.
Already men, women and children have suf
fered, but their suffering will hot be in vain if,
as a result, the gambling pit shall be destroyed.
DEMOCRATIC NEWSPAPER MEN AT
TENTION Here is a fine opportunity for some
good pushing democratic newspaper
man:
Marion, Kan., April 10, 1909. Editor
The Commoner: The democrats in one
of the best towns in Kansas want a
high-class democratic newspaper man to
start a democratic aily p.aper. The local
democrats will furnish a considerable
share of the necessary capital. Will you
be kind enough through The Commoner
to ask newspaper men who are available
to write me?
H. S. MARTIN.
Chair. Dem. State Cen. Com.
c Marion, Kan.
0 0000
Why Not "Lock the Stable Before the
Horse is Stolen?"
A timely reply to a famous business firm that
was an enthusiastic supporter of the republican
ticket and is now a vigorous objector to repub
lican legislation:
Marshall Field & Co., of Chicago, as well
as other business firms are calling upon their
patrons to assist in the defeat of the republican
tariff low. This firm has sent a large number
ml cicu1lar? to various sections of the country.
, , lortwing correspondence between Marshall
Field & Co and C. L. Wlsh & Co., a mercantile
company of Blandlnsville, 111., will be particular
ly interesting at this time.
tiftm JE4: flsh t G" Blandinsville, 111. Gen
tlemen: In sending you the enclosed pamphlet
wo call your attention to a subject which we
believe vitally affects your business Interests
and is of great importance to your custom
In tho interest of domestic maiXtupers the
ways and means committee of the house of' rep
resentatives has incorporated in the nronnS
tariff bill largely increased rates uPoS cot?on
hosiery and women's leather gloves. These ad
yances can only be defeated by concerted actton
and we therefore, urge upon you the importance
of wiring tr writing to your congressman and
senators at Washington; rrotestlng against the
action that has been taken. All the large news!
papers of tho country have taken a stand agXst
this action and doubtless your local pTrn
would be glad t0 puWlBh ,heg eend!
1115 you ..' Yours very trulv
'" ' MARSHALL FIELD & CO.
r!
C L. WELSH & CO., - -
Dry Goods, Carpets, Shoes,
Cloaks, Millinery '
Blandlnsville, 111.," April 1, 1909.
Marshall Field & Co., "
Chicago, Ills.
fentatlvo 8lnIBfour influei"e with our repre
ss S rfoifStll?roposed Pane tariff bill,
a?e sorrv K 2l?d'. Te' of the COImon people
influence IfS We WOUld havG very ""
FrtbPrmni e pres?nt ministration,
real tariiTOl9 Pe,?le had a to elect
Xe?ftPm wCanldltes onIy la8t fall d
Kent votPr Wt aZ not beIleve W intelli
were KrtW the sucssful candidates
onlvimlw dowrd, therefore they are
1, ng what the votd for.
didYtes and n?ef fop real tarIff reforra can
pollcy vet w hlMarU1? in empathy with that
not think w hnnie7, in maJrity rule and do
wUl of thVJ.!U5 d d anytlllS to thwart tho
7Z?a weehPaevePltehaSt SET PHS'
secmtahftl Pndlnfif bI11 'prove as bad a yu
win ouVwS ithe, P?ople can Glect cials, who
wo ear niSL ?Peal lt at the next election. And
fluonrn ?S you w,u uso your great ixk
naahZ 5? ' ltead of aftcr election,
Stcs .SpCClal Allege corporation cau-
, , , Respectfully,
a L. WEJLSH & CO.