Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-12-15

to the present time. 1t set the black
man free; now, it aims to keep the
white workingman free and in contln-
I'd enjoyment of that prosperity which
the Republican party, through wise
legislation, made possible to the Amer
lean people.
To revert to history, however, the
growth of the country after 1856 IN
time developed demand for change IN
the Republican organization, and at
several conventions various changes
were suggested, but for one reason or
another failed of contamination. by
some students of politics these failures
are attributed in measure to the rival
lies Of factions devoted to asp1rants
for presidential honors, by others TO
failure of the leaders to reallze that
the party had outgrown its swaddling
clothes and had come to mans estate
Modsrnized Methods Imperative.
Leading thinkers of the party in all
parts of the land are now united In pe-
lief that the time for modernlzlnS
methods of organization is at hand,
and the opportunity must be grasped.
All elements are anxious to join in the
task and their various suggestions are
by no means so divergent as to pre-
clude easy and amicable settlement on
the common ground of the nations and
the partys welfare.
one Of the issues in the organization
Is reapportionment for national con-
ventions, a delicate and difficult pro-
position because absolute justice to all
to each State, to each district, to
each community and to each Voter-is
the foundation on which the new ap-
nortionment must be effected. To de-
prive one section of any representa-
t!ves whatever in conventions would
seem unfair. Yet, to overbalance the
scales arbitrarily in favor of that Sec
ton Is equally unjust to others. An
other issue is the method of selecting
ard seating delegates to national con-
yentions The National Republican
Congressional Committee has applied
itself in all conscientiousness to the
study of these questions: though it does
not intend to assume the prerogatives
of any other committee or the national
convention.
Synonymous with Prosperity.
The Republican party is showing it
self responsive to the will Of the peo-
pie. 1t realizes that the present method
of organization is the occasion of we'll
founded dissatisfaction, and with wise
determination it proposes to apply 81
remedy. The great mass of the Repub-
ican voters are independent thinkers,
ready to administer rebuke at the ex-
pense of victory. and not afraid to en-
bai I'd a n pnSf
Tie Republican party is not faultless.
No human agency can be. The fact is,
however, that it is synonymous with
national prosperity. Under the benefi-
cent touch, home industry presses for
ward by leaps and bounds and foreign
trade reaches fabulous figures. Wages
increase, idleness diminishes, commerce
fionrishes. When the Republican party
is returned to power, as it certainly will
be after a period of anxiety and stag
nation. it's representatives will enact
tariff legislation on business lines, pre-
venting the pendulum of protection
from swinging too far in the direction
of inordinate profits, but exercising
equal care in avoiding injury to legiti
mate industry. l hope we shall never
again see the spectacle, recently pre-
scented to us. of importers at the door
Of Congress seeking to food this coun-
try with the product of cheap foreign
labor, while American manufacturers
were fighting for their very existence.
IN expert tariff commission will gather
the data of world production and COM
petition, and then Congress will enact
a law which will insure American pro-
ducers a reasonable profit, give Ameri-
ca workingmen profitable employment,
and place within the reach of the
American people the lowest possible
prices consistent with the universal
welfare.
Comparison of Positions.
h