Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1910-07-28


Continuing the editorial from which
the above clipping was taken, said:
1T is to be said of Mr. Burrows that
there has been nothing in his conduct
during his long public career disgrace
full to him or to the state. In fact there
was time when he brought distinction
TO Michigan. Gifted with the art OF
iorceful oratory he was much in de-
mand as campaign speaker. In con-
eress, though never constructive
statesman, he was at least respectable
figure. He was always to be relied on
by his party leaders and they often put
him forward as a champion OF their
measures.
But the question today is, not what
Mr.. Burrows was and has been, but
what he is. The people want as their
| representative not man who, though
abiding in the present, is living in the
past. The issues on which Mr.. Burrows
! thrilled his audiences twenty years ago
arc no longer vital, but he seems unable
to realize that such is the case. The
issues of today big with the welfare of
a hundred million people are to him
incomprehensible and unreal. He can
not grasp them and with his guide and
mentor Mr. Aldrich, gone he would
find himself in the senate like rudder-
less ship on stormy ocean.
The questions which confront the
nation today do not pale in comparison
with those of any period in our history.
Not even those which shook the founda-
tons of the Union in 1861 were more
important to the we'll being OF our peo-
pie. The square deal for the common
people-proper control Of the giant cor
porations, mighty instruments OF mod
ern industry, revolutionizing economic
conditions and introducing a new era
but full of danger-the control OF mo-
nopolies-fair regulation OF transporta-
ton cha rges-the curbing of trusts
the conservation TOR the benefit of the
whole peple of our rapidly disappear
ing natural resources-the emancipa-
ton of the people politically from the
rule of the bosses and the corruptionists
all these are OF vital moment not only
| to us OF the present generation, but to
the generations which are to come.
The mere enumeration of them shows
the seriousness of the situation. On the
one side united by the bonds of self
interest we see those fortified by special
privilege, intrenched behind laws of
their own making, with in too many in
stances the courts are their allies, with
grip on legislatures and even congress
itself. with the political machinery OF
the country largely in their control,
and with that command over men and
affairs witch power and privilege and
money always have had and will al
ways possess. On the other side
are the people armed only with the bal
lot. The contest is unequal. 1t will
not be settled by single brush at the
polls, nor by a single victory in the
courts, but will be long and hard.
1T seems as if nothing could be plain
er than the question presented to the
voters Of Michigan in this contest On
the one side is Mr.. Burrows whose
record and alliances in the senate show
him to be the friend and supporter of
privilege and the elements opposed to
the peoples interests. He is not cor
rupt man nor consciously an enemy OF
the people. He is one OF those whom
Mr.. Pinchot referred to as having been
trained in wrong school, who have
grown old in the belief that money has
the right to rule and cannot understand
the point of view of men who recognize
in the corrupt political activity of a
treason to government by the people.
His entire record shows the dominance
OF this idea. His votes on the tariff
schedules show it. His childlike faith
in Mr.. Aldrich shows it. 1t is shown in
his afiliation with the business and po-
litical elements which are backing him
in this campaign for reelection. 1t is
for these reasons that The Press feels
compelled to oppose him as matter OF
public duty.
"On the other side is Mr.. Townsend
whose record shows that in his attitude
toward these things he is the direct
opposite OF Mr.. Burrows. No other
man whom Michigan has sent to Wash
ington in years has doomed so large in
the public eye as constructive legisla-
tor. Few men have made so thorough
study of railroad problems. He was the
real author of the Hepburn law and was
the only member Of the house that Mr.:
Taft called into consultation in prepar-
ing the railroad measures submitted at
the recent session To him was en-
tructed the administration bill in the
house. In congress he has shown him
self leader and has been thoroughly
dependent He has stood for the PEG.
pie in legislative matters and refused
to be dominated by the bosses. He en-
Joys the confidence OF Mr.. Taft and Mr..
Roosevelt In his campaign for the
senatorship he places himself squrrely
on the side of the people.
will the voters choose for their SEN
ator champion of their own cause or
will they for sentimental reasons retain
one who is VIGOROUSLY opposed to their
interests? This is the real issue and
the main issue of the primary campaign"
PATTENGILL'S OPINION OF TOWN
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