The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1910-10-28
SENATOR BORAH ON ISSUES OF
NATIONAL IMPORTANCE AT
TWIN FALLS.

Senator Borah's speech:
Mr.. Chairman, Ladies and Gentle
men: The beginning OF all good gov
eminent under our system is the in
tercst and activity Of the common cit
tzen in matters of public concern.
Neither the beneficence of genius nor |
the wisdom of statesmen can supply
the absence Of this force for clean and
efficient government. The streams of
national power should have their
source among the real builders of its
wealth. The miner the mechanic, the |
merchant, the laborer and the farmer
manifestlng an earnest and sustained !
interest IN political organizations con- |
stitutH the best guarantee we can have |
that we are not to be disappointed in |
the solution Of the problems with |
which it is ours to deal.
No one would underestimate the !
value Of the cultured or the learned !
or unnecessarily disparage the tend
ency of today to seek the knowledge
of the expert in the science of govern
ment.
But nothing under our system can
take the place Of the wholesome and
uplifting influence which comes from
the aroused and sustained interest of
the millions of men and women who
crowd the field of industry. Govern
ment deals not with speculative phi
losophy nor with theories but deals
essentially with the passions and appe
contentious and ambitions of m en-. 1t
is for this reason that the man who
mingles his thought with his labor is
indispensable at the council board
where policies are adopted and stat
utes are framed.
Political parties are therefore not
only a convenience but Indispensable
agencies in the successful administra-
ton of government. Not only do they
fix responsibility but they are the only
rir ,f1k, +I,n IL
give practical effect to their demands.
By no other process, it seems can the
immediate operating forces of govern
ment under a representative form of
government be made amenable to the
Judgment of the people. How indis-
pensable, therefore, are these agencies.
How vital it is that they be kept clean
and wholly responsive to the rank and
file. How important it is that all men
identify themselves with some politi-
cal organization. If it is not what
you would have it to be, seek the CO.
operation of others and make it so.
The pharisee is as contemplate in
politics as he is in religion. The man
who stands aloof from all political
organizations knowing as he does that
in the correct and righteous determi-
nation of these political problems is
involved the happiness of countless
thousands is moral coward. I count
it the highest evidence of good citt-
Zenship that men take an interest in
politics. that they give their influence
to make their party faithful and eff.
cient in dealing with these matters anC
Vigilant and loyal in guarding the vel
fare of those upon whom rest mos
heavily the burdens of our industrial
life.
Progressive But Not Radical.
A political party if it is to be ser
viceable and constructive must neces
sarfly be a progressive party. Their
may be a place in the political aren;
for party of criticism, there may b.
a sphere in political life where mel
can afford to be content with thing
as they are, but a political party whicl
takes upon itself the vast responsible
ity of governm lent, of dealing with tn
forces of industrial and moral groWt
must be a progressive party. Its ira
ditions and past achievements are val
liable only as a guide to the footstep
of the political pioneer and as an In
spiration to men to put forth the
best efforts. The human race has Nc
ceased its march. Mankind is ne
content to sit down like a. profligat
heir and waste the estate-the pre-!
ent has its obligations, the future i
calls.
1 would not want to see our par
an irresponsible or radical force, dea
ing in unwise and fanciful exper
ments of government. But want
see it at all times faithful to the ru
of the greatest good to the create
number; not the foe of business
the enemy of Industrial growth; n
the tool of factions or the slave of al
man or class of mems ambitions; b
a great, powerful, progressive organ
zation, sensitive to the demands
humanity and the necessities of o,
industrial life, meeting in a Dol
hopeful, tolerant, progressive way Il
problems of the hour. l want par
which believes with an unchangil
faith in the self governing capacity
4 the American people-whtch reco
nizes that the American nationality
u made up of all men. rich and poo
great and small, seeking in dive
ways their industrial betterment al
& all alike entitled to the shelter of jU
& and equal laws: a party which hol
m its first great duty to be the enaC
s.rlent of good laws, and secondly
earlessly enforce them.
Applied to New Conditions.
Nowheres is the value of the pl
gressive spirit more essential in pc
ties than in dealing with old and
tablished principles and applying thu
to new conditions. The Republic
party believes in a protective tar
1t has no less faith in the worth
thai policy now than it has had in
past. 1t will put forth its efforts
retain it at all times. But that
nay retain and secure its full BEN
TO American industries ana AIneFlS
labor it is important that we neitl
permit its abuse nor shut our eyes
changed conditions. The time '
when it was not very material as
the amount of the duties levied or
posed, so long as it was a protect
duty. When competition was I'm
strained the American market pl
was sufficiently safeguarded by t
great law. 1t was safe to assume t
however high the duty, compeut
at home would bring prices to
proper basis. In many fields of
dustry monopoly has repealed the
of competition. The force VIII
once protected the consumer has b
eliminated by great combinations
many places and many ways. Rec
nizing these conditions, the tariff
should be written in the light of
new facts. There should be an n
est and continued effort to fix du
according to the safe and sane r
20 wit: The difference between