Jasper County Democrat, Volume 10, Number 29, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 October 1907 — A WORD AS TO 1908. [ARTICLE]

A WORD AS TO 1908.

So longlas the Roosevelt administration operates its immunity bath-house in Washington, under the management of the attorney general, the difficulty of convicting ’‘rich criminals” will continue. The officials of the beef trust, of the Alton railroad and so on found the immunity bath so attractive that other wealthy sinners are crowding each other in the government tubs. In the meantime the trusts remain unbusted and proceed with their business of rifling the pockets of the common people.

During the last campaign what were known as “clean election” agreements were entered into between the Democrat and Republican organizations in several counties of the state. After the election it was discovered by the Democrats that these agreements had been violated by their opponents in many places. One of these places was in Tipton county. John O. Behymer, editor of the Tipton Times, the Democratic organ of that county, openly charged the Republicans with a breach of their agreement. On what he believed to be clear evidence of their guilt, he accused them of buying votes and of using money corruptly in other ways. As a result, the Republican “fine workers” are in a panic, and are threatening Mr. Behymer with all sorts of trouble, but he stands by his guns and if he is supported by the authorities which unfortunately are Republicaus he may get a few rascals in jail, where they belong.

In considering the question as to which party will win in Indiana next year, many things must be taken into consideration, but the principal one is, which party deserves to win? Properly considered, there can be only one answer to this question. The Democratic party should be returned to power in Indiana in 1908, and will be if the people vote as they think and if every member of the party does his duty between now and the election. This duty requires him to attend bis party primaries and conventions, and to urge the nomination of the best men for every office to be filled —men whose character and fitness will be a guaranty of honest and efficient service at the least expense to the public. , The principles of the Democratic party—the things that it stands so unquestionably approved by a large majority of the people. With the right men in the forefront and with the right spirit ani-

mating the rank end file, a victory can be assured. In the 1906 campaign the party forces entered the contest dispirited and discouraged by the extraordinary result in 1904. When election day came in 1906 the Republicans carried the state by a greatly reduced majority and for the sole reason that thousands of Democrats didn’t take the trouble to vote —not that they were not interested in the success of their party, but simply because they thought that success was not possible. After the election those who stayed at home realized that if they had taken an active part in the campaign and added their votes to those of their party brethren who went to the polls, the Republicans would have been disastrously routed. This sort of thing should not happen in 1908. The party deserves to win. The Republican management is discredited. Besides, Indiana is not normally a Republican state. 1> It is fighting ground and general conditions favor the Democracy. The thing for every Democrat to do, therefore, is to resolve to do his full duty in the next campaign and do it until the last vote is in the ballot box.