Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 237, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 October 1910 — DUTY OF THE HOUR FOR INDEPENDENTS [ARTICLE]

DUTY OF THE HOUR FOR INDEPENDENTS

By Augustus L. Mason.

A. L. Mason, a prominent citizen of lhdlanapolis, and a leader among the independent thinkers of the state, comes jut in a notable letter setting the reasons why he is supporting Senator Beveridge. Mr; Mason’s letter, in part, follows: “In this campaign my conviction of duty to support Senator Beveridge by voting for Republican candidates for the legislature is clear. It is not a question of the candidate's person alfyy/; although his great natural gifts and flawless courage have won him countless admirers. It is not because he is the accredited nominee of his party, although this will, and of right ought to, secure the support of most Republican party men. It is because his candidacy makes an appeal of peculiar power to voters who, like myself, believe that a political revolution is taking place In the thoughts of men, loosening old party ties and breaking down old convictions. . “The issue presented is whether or not the people of Indiana shall vote to approve his record and especially his fight in the senate for lower tariffs and lower prices as well as for a genuine non-partisan tariff commission. His defeat would be hailed throughput the United States as a disapproval by Indiana of his record. It would mean that Indiana opposes the movement for lower pricea amd lower tariffs in so far as the present tariff affords a shelter to monopoly and throws a protecting arm around the trusts. It would mean that Indiana is in favor of that kind of politics vjehich avoids popular discussion as far as possible, which shuts off debate, stifles public inquiry and hands down to the people for their approval a few cut and dried generalities carefully prepared by a small group of leaders who have been In control of congress. “It would mean that we are opposed to the forward movement of Republican progressives, and that we are In favor of high tariffs, protection to the trusts, and control of congress by favor seeking corporations. His defeat would not be regarded so much as a Democratic victory as a repudiation by Indiana Republicans of the forward movement within the party, because such a result could only be reached through the defection of great numbers of Republican votes. In the present situation no one who believes it Important for the welfare of our ootmtry, that the Republican party be rescued from the deadly grasp of selfish and unholy private Interests, should fail to realize the effects upon the future of the party of his election or defeat. “The question may arise in the minds of thoughtful voters, why should they not go further and withhold their support altogether from a candidate for senator who belongs to a party which has partially slipped into the control of a few men, careless of public welfare, anxious only for the wellbeing of certain business interests. In my judgment such a course In Indiana, In the present year, would be a fatal mistake. I am sorry to say that neither the leadership nor the program, If there be any, of the Democratic party, as at present existing, promises either sound and consistent legal remedies for the problems of the day or an able and efficient administration of government, under existing laws. For my part I earnestly hope that the Democratic party may develop able and conscientious leadership and for the sake of the whole country formulate some rational and consistent policies for the people to consider. “To place the Democratic party as at present constituted, in control of government now, would give no assurance of such rational reductions of tariffs as would bring relief to the consumer without bringing on a commercial crisis. A Democratic victory, including the defeat of progressive Republicans like Beveridge, would most likely produce a reaction in favor of old standpat Republicanism. The duty of the present hour for Indiana Republicans and for independent voters Is to do their utmost td support the forward movement and the Influence of progressive leaders within the Republican party. Should the time come when a reconstructed and rationalized Democracy shall need support for fits better elements, in order to preserve it from corrupting influences which are at work in both parties, it will be time enough then to consider what we ought to do.”