The Point Pleasant register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, W. Va.) 1909-1939, 1909-09-29
DEMOCRATIC REHABILITATION.
Il was Washington's belief that the

without party government, and he
made an unsuccessful attempt to de-
monstrate the truth of his theory.
Looked at as an original proposition
It seems reasonable, and possibly it
may come about little ahead of the
millennium, but representative gov
enments for the present will con-
tinue to be administered through
parties. Such being the case, it is
essential that there be at least two
political organizations, both of which
contain sufficient brains, integrity
and patriotism to carry on the Gov
eminent and to command the con-
.idence of the country when in con-
troll. And it is desirable under the
system that power pass at not too
long intervals from one party to the
other, so that both may be kept up
TO the highest standard of conduct
and efficiency. A party too long in
power grows arrogant, careless in adj
ministration and too (sten corrupt.
while the opposition loses capacity to
do anything but criticise and oppose.
Should Mr.. Taft be reelected, in
period covering nearly IS years the
Democratic party will have held the
reins for only eight of them. Such
a condition of things naturally raises
the question whether, in order to get
a useful and effective opposition, it
win not be necessary to organize a
new party. 1t certainly indicates
loss of confidence on the part of the
country in the party SO long refused
power. The conference at Saratoga
was an attempt which every American
should welcome to regain that con-
fdence to degree which will secure
party rehabilitation at the polls. A
large number of excellent men Of
standing and character were gathered
ready to sink minor differences, but
the real difficulty seemed to be, as it
long has been, to determine just what
4 Democrat is. Tariff for revenue
only was advocated, but it is safe to
say that very large proportion of
the party are opposed to that under
existing circumstances. Besides,
there is growing conviction that the
tariff is business question purely,
which should and can be taken out of
politics by having an expert commits
sion and making in schedules from
time to time without having an issue
at the polls or the disturbance to
business of a tariff bill debate and
contest. Another point much in
sisted on was the extravaganza ofthe
party in power and the need of a
change to correct it. There is great
force in this. Doubtless it was some
what misleading to compare the ex-
penditures of Mr.. Cleveland's Ad-
ministration with those of Mr.. Roose-
yelt without, at the same time, stat
ing the growth of the country in
population and business; but there
is no question that long retention of
power breeds wastefulness or that
new administration ought to look
into the management and expenditure
of the departments. This, however,
is not in itself political question.
II IS simply question of adminiStra-
ton. Both parties, as a matter of
principle, are in favor of economy
and honesty in Office.
The only real dividing line between
the parties today on question of i'm
portance that can be called polit;cal
IS Capitalization. Every one realizes
the current so strong as to seem ire
sistible which is setting toward it.
The corporation tax in the tariff bill
is a long step in the direction of
universal Federal control of state
agencies and resources. Letthe men
who have taken the rehabilitation of
She Democratic party in hand plant
themselves on the single issue of re-
sistance to the growing and danger
Gus encroachment of the Federal