the 1908 democratic platform criticized corporate power at the expense of the people as well as the increased number of federal officeholders and expenditures—"the heedless waste of the people's money"—and demanded "the strictest economy in every department compatible with frugal and efficient administration." in addition, the democrats condemned the "arbitrary power" of the republican u.s. house speaker joseph gurney cannon (of illinois) as well as the use of patronage by president roosevelt to nominate "one of his cabinet officers" (taft) as his successor.