The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1909-07-01
A "JACK-ASs" PARTY.


before the last campaign earned the
opprobrious sobriquet of the Jack |
ass" party. The so-called leaders of
that aggregation have not since done
anything to prove that the oppro-
brium OF that epithet was not justi- |
fed and well earned. On the other
hand, they have seemed to exercise
what wits they have with more than
usual unison to make their party
now more inconsistent and pitiable.
II possible.
Only the other day seventeen Dem
ocratic Senators, more than half of
the members of that party In the
Senate Joined with the high tariff
Republicans in voting against free
lumber. II these Democratic Sem
ators had voted for free lumber the
record shows that lumber TODAY
would be on the free list.
Inc last National Democratic Mat
form declared not only souarely and
unequivocally against protective rates
OF duty ON any article, but especially
on all articles controlled by trusts
and specifically did the platform sin
gle out lumbe, as one of the nrod-
ucts that should be on the free list
Ihey declared that not even a reye-
nue. duty should be placed on lum-
Der. This and the antitrust plank
were the leading issues in the DEM
ocratic platform made by the Demo-
Gratis In the last campaign.
How did the Democrats from
North Carolina stand on these ques-
lions? Both of the Democratic Sen
ators from this State and all of the
Democratic Congressman, with but
one exception, voted against free
lumber.
Mr.. Simmons came near being de-
feated as a delegate to the last Ma
tional Democratic Convention; in
deed, he had to compromise with the
opposition which would have beaten
him, and begged to be permitted to
go as delegate. He served in that
convention, and was a member of the
Committee on Platforms. The plat.
form declared for free lumber, and
1t was unanimously adopted by that
convention. Whether we agree as to
the wisdom Of mems professions and
pledges or not, yet everybody has re.
spect for man who lives up to his
pledges.
A similar spectacle has occurred
when the iron and steel schedules
were under consideration. When the
vote was taken, again we ind the
majority of Democratic Senators II
Washington lining up with the high
protectionists and voting for the
highest duty proposed on iron ore.
Would these Democrats hay,
done any better with reference tt
passing a strong antitrust law ant
enforcing the same If the Democra
tic party had won in the Nationa
election? Let US see what has oc
Cured In North Carolina. The las
Democratic Legislature professet
that they wanted to improve ant
strengthen the fraud antitrust Law
which they had formerly put upor
the statue books. Did they do it:
The measure which they passed was
such a transparent fraud that the
Raleigh News and Observer de
nounced it as was worthless, and sale
that it was just such a law as the
trusts wanted, for no trust had an,
cause to fear 1t. The Chairman Of
the Finance Committee that prepared
that bill in the last Legislature wa.
Governor Kitchin's manager, who
has since been appointed to the Su
preme Court bench by the Governor
II Governor Kitchin should attemp
to enforce the North Carolina anti
trust law, would Judge Manning hold
that the law was unconstitutional o.
ineffective? We will see.
The last Democratic Nationa
platform also declared in favor of al
income tax, and. also in favor of sub
hitting a constitutional amendmen
to the various States to authoriz,
Congress to levy and collect such .
tax. President Taft has recentl,
sent message to Congress favorin,
such an amendment and urging Con
gress to pass 1t at this extra session
The New York American at once sen
out kilograms to all Of the Demo
cratic and Republican State Chair
man asking If they thought thei
State Legislatures would ratify sucl
an amendment.
Mr.. Filler, the Democratic Stat
Chairman, in concluding his reply
said: $50 that, in my judgment, i
is a doubtful question whether tn,
. people of this State will, at thi
time fhr0u1h fha;r Ioo;slo%,~o e..