The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1913-11-27
THE BOGEY MAN BURIED

1t is now thirty-three years since
/ began to take part in presidential
campaigns; the beginning being
made in 1880. Including that cam
paign, ! have been participant in
nine presidential campaigns and in
eighteen congressional elections. In
every one of these the protected in
terests have brought out their DOGGY
man to scare the people into retain
ing in power those who wanted pro-
lection for projections sake. A panic
has been threatened by those who
thought themselves able to bring it.,
and they have succeeded in convinc-
ing a great many people, not only OF
their ability to bring panic but OF
their willingness to do so. The in
fuence which this threat has exert
ed has manifested itself in many
ways. Banks controlled by the inter-
ests refused to extend loans except
for those politically friendly; condi-
tiOnal orders were placed for large
amounts Of material and the public
was fully informed as to the contln-
gent character Of the orders En-
ployees were warned not to return to
work the day after election unless
every possible device was employed
to compel voters to substitute fear
for intelligence in the casting of
their votes.
These tactics have generally been
successful, but they failed in the
campaign of last fall A united
democracy, aided by a division in the
republican party, succeeded IN o.
tanning control of the White House
and of both branches of congress.
The time was opportune for reduc-
ton of the tariff. The discussion that
preceded the enactment of the Payne
Aldrich bill had revealed more clear
~ than ever before the true inward
ness of a protective tariff measure.
Progressive republicans, led by such
men as LaFollette and Dolliver Wed
with the democrats in showing up
the manner in which the beneficiar-
les of protection conspired together
to collect their tribute through laws
written by themselves. While both
branches of the republican party ad-
vocated protection, each preferred
the success of the democratic party
to a victory for the other branch of
the republican party.
President Wilson found the public
mind open and the nation ready for
tariff reform. He proceeded with his
work Immediately, and with the CO.
operation of congress succeeded in
enacting a law which materially le-
duceS import duties and puts part
of the burden of government upon
incomes. ,-,ans. -,-s-' a..
And how that law has opened the
eyes of a multitude of honest, patri-
otto men who were really led to be-
lieve that disaster would follow in
the wake of tariff reduction. They
must have been surprised when tie
sun rose as usual the morning after
the bill was signed. Since then the
world has wagged on in it's usual
way; the timidity has gone; the ner-
vous prostration is over, and the
country is freed from a terrorism
which has lasted for a generation
Were these prophets of evil delud-
ed themselves, or were they trying 20
delude others? If they were deluded,
selves to find their apprehensiOns un-
founded. If they were trying to de-
lude others, how relieved the public
must feel, now that it can no longer
be duped 1t is evident that good
many republicans have taken tie
first occasion-November 4th--to
give expression to their gratitude for
the emancipation that has come to
them. 1t will be a long time before
the republican party can again re-
sort successfully to the intimidation
that it has practiced for more than
three decades
W. J. BRYAN.