The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1912-10-26


The control to which tariff legisla-
ton has led, both in the field of poll
tics and in the field of business, is
what has produced the most odious
feature of our present political situa-
ton, namely, the absolute domination
of powerful bosses. Bosses cannot ex-
list without business alliances. With
them politics is hardly distinguishable
from business. Bosses maintain their
control because they are allied with
men who wish their assistance in or
der to get contracts, in order to OBJ
tain special legislative advantages, in
order to prevent reform which will
interfere with monopoly or with their
enjoyment of special exemptions.
Merely as political leaders, not backed
by money, not supported by securely
| intrenched special interests, bosses
would be entirely manageable and
comparatively powerless. By freeing
the government, therefore, we at the
SehhiO tihhO blVdh Iut pOWtI Ol lHt
boss. He trades, he does not govern
He arranges, he does not lead He
sets the stage for what the people are
to do; he does not act as their agent
or servant, but as their director For
him the real business Of politics is
done under cover.
The same means that will set
the government free from the influ-
ences which now constantly control
it would set industry free. The en-
terprlse and initiative Of all Ameri-
cans would be substituted for the en-
terprise and initiative of a small group
of them. Economic democracy would
take the place of monopoly and sell
fish management. American industry
would have new buoyance of hope,
new energy, a new variety. With
the restoration of freedom would come
the restoration of opportunity.
Moreover, an administration would
at last be set up in Washinton, and a
legislative regime, under which real
programs Of social betterment could !
be undertaken as they cannot now. |
The government might be serviceable |
for many things. It might assist in |
a hundred ways to safeguard the lives !
and the health and promote the COM |
fort and the happiness of the people;
but it can do these things only if /
its actions be DISTINGUISHED, only if |
they respond to public opinion, only /
if those who lead government see the |
country as a whole, feel a deep thrill |
of intimate sympathy with every class
and every interest in it, know how
to hold an even hand and listen to
men of every sort and quality and
origin, in taking counsel what is to be
done. Interest must not fight agains-
interest. There must be a common
understanding and a free action all
together
The reason feel justified in appeal
ng to the voters of this country to
support the Democratic party at this
critical iuncture IN its affairs is that
he leaders of neither of the other
parties propose to attack the prob
EN- of a free government with regard
o tariff duties. 1t is with both of
hem in respect to the tariff merely
| question of more or less, merely a
question of looping off a little here
md amending a little there; while
With the Democrats it is a question of
principle Their object is to cut
very special favor out, and cut it
nut just as fast as it can be cut out
Without upsetting the business pro
'esses of the country. Neither does
'ither of the other parties propose
to disturb the supremacy of
he trusts Their only remedy is to
lccept the trusts and regulate them, .
Notwithstanding the fact that most of
he trusts are so constructed as to
insure high prices, because they are
lot based upon efficiency but upon
Their success lies in CON
rol. The competition of more eff
,ient competitors, not loaded down by
he debts created when the combina-
lions are made, would embarrass and
conquer them. The Trusts want the
protection of the government, and are
likely to get it if either the Republi-
cans or so-called Progressive" party
prevails.
Surely this is cause. Surely the
questions of the pending election,
locked at from this point of view, rise
unto cause They are not merely
the debates of casual party contest.
They are the issues of life and death
to nation which must be free in
order to be strong. What will patrio-
tic men do? Woodrow Wilson.
When you have a bad cold you want
bo host ~, al fcfpa obtofpa JNlo So ~ IN