The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1908-07-10

We shall not make any attempt to
prove that Mr.. Fordney is in en-
tire accord, personally, with all the
policies that have the sanction of Mr..
Taft, or to speak for him in any
sense, but we shall claim that Mr..
Fordney is a consistent Republican,
loyal supporter " his party, hard
working and successful representa-
tive of the eighth district and on
every essential consideration entitled
to public confidence,
Mr.. Fordneys views in relation to
the tariff have not been matter of
conjecture at any time. He has
been a protectionist Of the VIM. Nc
Kinley stamp always and stands to-
day right where he did four years ago
on this important subject. He has
always had the courage of his con-
victions and has so frequently ex-
pressed them that the people of the
district have at no time, been left in
doubt as to his personal bias. In this
connection it is worthy OF little
thoughtful consideration, that the
era in our country's history covered
by the Mckinley tariff, is its most
prosperous era; probIbly the most
prosperous, so far as widely diffused
benefits are concerned, in the history
of any country-the golden age of
the world. Never a time within our
recollection, at least, when home
ownership multiplied so rapidly,
when mortgages were liquidated so
generally when labor was employed
so steadily, when savings deposits in
the banks assumed such proportions,
when pianos. automobiles and a
thousand and one others of the lux
uries of life found their way into the
hands of so many people as during
this very period.
Mr.. Fordney, as We understand it,
simply stands for a continuation of
such conditions and he has never
been sent as a delegate to any con-
vention, district, state or national,
where his constituents were not fully
Informed as to his sentiments or
where it was incumbent upon him to
recede from them.
There can be little room for doubt
but that many Republicans in this
district find themselves somewhat at
variance with Mr.. Fordney in regard
to party policy, but We apprehend
that once the latter makes clear his
position the difference will be found
to be more fancied than vital. In
any event, respect for Mr.. Fordney
will not be forfeited, since no one
can deny that he has been steadfast
to his principles, finding consolation.
no doubt, in the sentiment embodied
in Polonius' famous words: ''To
THINE own self be true thou
canst not then be false to any man.
The eighth congressional district
of Michigan is one of the greatest
and if our memory serves us, the
very greatest beet sugar producing
district in the United States. Hun
dreds of farmers in this territory
find beet raising a profitable indus
try; labor is paid thousands of dol
lars annually for cultivating the crop
and converting it into sugar and
invested in the refneries and bust
ness In view OF these facts is there
any good reason why the represen-
tative of this district should not do
what he can to protect and foster
this industry? Regardless of what
the country at large may deserve or
desire in the way of tariff legislation
isn't it in accord with human nature
that Mr.. Fordney should be opposed
to any legislation that threatens this
Let us try to divorce our minds
from any possible prejudice, put our
selves in the place of the representa-
tive from this district and fathom |
our probable action in this matter.
Il will be found, we venture, that in |
the words of the late Ex-President |
Cleveland ga condition and not a
theory confronts u.s.
Now the st. Johns News makes
capital of the fact that
Mr.. Fordney opposed an injunction
plank in the national Republican
platform. Granting his action is cor
'ectly stated, our first comment is
hat he, at least, cannot be charged
with demagogery; he remained true
lgain to his convictions and made no
heap bid for votes by catering to de-
he considered dangerous to
he peace and prosperity of the coun-
ry. The courts form the last resort
II justice for all the people and it Is
most serious thing to render them
It all subservient to every passing
citation. Ne legal process has ever
et been devised, nor probably ever
an be, that does not occasionally
work. some hardship upon the inno-
ent as we'll as the culpable. Labor
MONS have undoubtedly felt the
ting of injustice in this respect, and
{ so they have but shared in the un-
voidable delays and the conse- ,
uences of human falibility that al ;
rays have and probably always will ]
ttend the administration OF civil
NV, sacred and inviolable though 1T 1
held to be.
n,,x o,,, on;p;op io that n labor