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About The commoner. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-1923 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 16, 1910)
' VJB Twof 'Vrw$S'rriiprf31 The Commoner. vf Ar- WILLIAM J. BRYAN, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR VOL. 10, NO. 36 Lincoln, Nebraska, September 16, 1910 Whole Number 504 Money in Politics Tho sad fat of Congressman Sibley, of Pennsylvania, ought to prove a warning and a lesson. Sibley is a lovable fellow personally, and entered politics with high ideals, but his association with predatory interests had tho same influence on him that it has had on many other able and well meaning men, and ho ends his political career, if not his life, by a with drawal from the congressional race after ho had ,won tho nomination. Whether ho is guilty of an actual violation of the law is a question to bo decided by the courts, but enough Is jul mitted to convict him before tho bar of public conscience. He claims that moro than half of the $42,000 spent to secure tho nomination was spent by his secretaries without his knowl edge but the twenty thousand which was spent with his knowledge and approval is a great deal more than can bo justified. A congressman draws $7,500 per year $15,000 during his term; to spend $20,000 to secure a nomination is without possible excuse. And it is just as bad if tho money is furnished by others worse, in fact, because the candidate is put under obligation to those who furnished tho money. The expenditure of a largo sum of money to s'ecuro a nomination is even more reprehensible than the expenditure of a-largo sum to secure an eleptioh. A party nominee might feel it a party duty to spend money to defeat an oppo nent of his party and friends might contribute liberally to secure tho triumph of party princi ple, but to spend largo Bums to win a party nomination over another member of tho party injures the party as well as corrupts politics. While the rule may have exceptions still it is safo to assume that the expenditure of any considerable sum to secure a nomination is proof that the aspirant's ambition is an un worthy one. If ho expects to make the money back out of tho ofllce his purpose is corrupt; 'if he is simply willing to spend the money to secure the honor, he is unworthy of tho honor for he puts his own interests above the party's welfare.. If tho money, instead of be ing his own is supplied by friends, it is safo to assume that the "friends" expect to get it back. The "friends" who have been putting up the campaign funds during recent years are the ones who have been using the government as a private asset in business. The law ought to fix the maximum that can be spent by a candidate, or in his interest, and until we have such a law public opinion ought to create a standard. Among democrats, at least, it ought to be accepted as a rule that a candidate for a nomination forfeits his right to his party's support when he begins to spend CONTENTS MONEY IN POLITICS ROOSEVELT, PROGRESSIVE THE NEW NATIONALISM GOOD FOR MICHIGAN ROOSEVELT AND BRYAN PARALLEL DEMOCRATS AND INSURGENTS UNITE FRANCES BARTHOLOMEW THE COLORADO BILL CURRENT TOPICS IF THE PEOPLE RULE WHY DON'T THEY GET WHAT THEY WANT? - HOME DEPARTMENT WHETHER COMMON OR NOT NEWS OF THE WEEK money lavishly, or to permit It to bo spont in his interest. Let tho claims of each candidato bo fairly presented and then let tho honor go to tho ono chosen by an uncorruptod constituency. HOKE SMITII IFOR PRESIDENT Tho Georgia convention, in ratifying the nom ination of Ex-Governor Hoke Smith, who re cently won the gubernatorial nomination at tho primary, suggested him for tho presidency. And why not? In 1900 and 1908, whenever Mr. Bryan's nomination was suggested tho corpora tion papers of tho east insisted that tho nomina tion ought to go to tho south. Why not give tho south a chance now? Hoko Smitli is from tho south. He is a big man, too. Ho was in tho cabinet; he has been governor and will bo governor again. Why do tho corporation papers not boom Smith? Why? Well, just read tho following from his speech at tho con vention and you will see. Ho said: "Tho great corporations in Georgia must keep out of politics. They must not bo allowed by hired political agents to dominate or control legislation or administration." That seals his doom, so far as tho corporation papers aro concerned, but It ought to strengthen him with the people. And tho gold democrats. Why don't they fly to tho support of Smith? Ho was a gold man. Ho was not "tainted with free silver." Why don't they start a boom for him? Because ho mado the fatal mistake of voting for Mr. Bryan. That ended It with them; he forfeited his claim to statesmanship. But Hoko Smith's boom has been launched by his own state and wo shall see whether It was a southern man tho corporation papers wanted, or simply a representative of tho cor porations living in tho south. THE NEW NATIONALISM Mr. Roosevelt's political creed, as announced at Osawatomio and other places in the west, has been styled "the now nationalism." Wo must await a more specific definition of It be fore we can judge of its newness or of its value. Some have construed his remarks on national control of corporations to mean that ho Intends to renew his recommendation of federal incorporation of railroads and other largo business concerns. If so, ho will tako a step backward instead of forward. Federal Incorporation Is not In tho Interest of the people but in tho interest of tho preda tory corporations. Federal incorporation is not necessary to the most strict federal supervision. Tho purpose of federal incorporation is to re lieve the corporations from tho annoyance of stato control; that is the only purpose it can serve. Progressive republicans should beware of this effort to remove corporations farther than they now aro from the people. National Incorporation Is not only unneces sary, but vicious. "National remedies," in tho language of tho democratic platform, "should bo added to, not substituted for, stato remedies." LAJFOLLETTE'S VICTORY Senator LaFollette's victory is a deserved compliment to a republican who is a real prog ressive. It is too bad Mr. Roosevelt has no part in tho rejoicing. Ho might easily havo said a few words in his behalf or written him a letter or something. LaFolletto deserved something better from ono who aspires to bo tho leader of the progressives. Standpatter Burkett, of Nebraska, came In for an endorse ment, but the chief of tho insurgents tho ono who has Insurgcd longer, harder, in moro dif ferent directions and on more subjects than any one else, how does it happen that he was Ignored? THY NEW YORK Roosevelt, Progressive . Tho question is sottlod at last; ho Is a pro gressive. No doubt about it; ho must now tako his place with tho "domagoguea," tho "danger ous" and tho "undesirable" His Ossawatomlo speech will becomo historic as his declaration of independence; ho has cut looso from tho forces that elected him vico president and afterwards olected him president. Tho story of his conversion from a consorvatlvo to a radical has not yet been told It will bo awaited with Interest. It was probnbly not sudden It was moro likely tho result of per sonal contact with tho sordid influences which have' dominated tho republican party for years and which have at times obtained control of tho democratic organization. Possibly Mr. Taft put on tho finishing touches when, after being nominated and olected by Mr. Roosevelt's Influence, ho surrounded him self with a corporation cabinet. Tho ox-prcsl-dent may havo decided that tho predatory In- terests were a menace to tho country if thoy could wean his old friend and legatee away from him. But, howovor tho change was brought about, it is hero and tho country must reckon with it. Mr. Roosevelt is In the fight, and from now on for two years, at least, no ono can toll what a day may bring forth. If ho decides to bo a candidato himself ho will weaken his influence, for ho will havo to meet tho charge of trying to overturn a precedent of a century's standing a precedent which ho has himself endorsed. If, on the other hand, ho gives his support to one of (ho insurgents ho may bo able to control tho next republican national convention and shape tho policy of his party. If ho falls to secure tho nomination df a progressive In 1912 tho standpatter who defeats his candidato will himself be defeated, and by 191G tho way will bo clear in tho republican convention for a pro gressive platform. Wo shall see what wo shall see. ROOSEVELT AND LORIMER Some may bo Inclined to question tho good taste of Mr. Roosevelt's refusal to dine with SenatoT Lorlmer at tho Hamilton club banquet Mr. Roosevelt's action was Indeed extraordinary, but it Is probable that tho American people will overlook tho question of tasto In recognition of tho distinct public servlco Mr. Roosevelt ren dered when ho gavo emphasis to tho fact that men who profit politically through bribery aro ' not fit for tho society of honest men. It Is quite true that Senator Lorlmer has not been convict ed of actually paying bribes, but tho evidence that sorao ono purchased votes for him Is so complete that, regardless of tho verdicts of Juries, tho public mind Is convinced. EVEN IN ALASKA Even tho Alaskans aro insurglng. Judgo James Wickersham who, during tho recent ses sion of congress attracted considerable atten tion by reason of verbal assaults upon men standing high in tho councils of the Taft ad ministration, has been re-elected as Alaska' delegate to congress. His opponent was Edward Orr, recognized as an administration candidato and having the backing of tho Guggenheim syndicate. Judge Wickersham Is a natural born insurgent, and It goes without saying that upon his return to Washington ho will mako generous contribution to the gayety of nations. GOOD FOR MICHIGAN If Mr. Roosevelt wants to create a sensation let him havo tho Kansas republican platform adopted in New York, Congratulations to the republicans of Michi gan on having defeated Senator Burrows for re-nomination. Mr. Burrows has been a faith ful senator but he has been faithful to tho special interests. Ho is not a mau of great ability, but from his meagre stock ho gave un sparingly to the trusts and to all forms of spe cial interests that sought to dominate legisla tion. Michigan has given one of the best among tho many good "signs of the day." CiAtfrVfe.1 -CJ ftHMtjtorAWLM A-ftrf-jUA, ,JJ jiT JAfiMA tf&h . -Si, -ivMa -yutogUr wtjjuvji34fcj,fcV,wt,,i:;.