Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1914-04-20
TOLLS EXEMPTION QUESTION

Lie CuIISLlI lSouC VI luC OClelllHS
American, a journal strictly non-
partisan, discusses the tolls ques-
tion in an impartial and dispassion-
ate manner, bringing out the real
point at issue without any attempt
to manufacture political capital. Its
views are SO ant and sound that
they will appeal to the readers Of
the Independent and they are &C.
cordingly reproduced, as follows:
Although on ground Of decency
and dignity there was much to de-
plore in the debate which preceded
the passage of the Tolls Repeal
bill in the house, it is perhaps as
we'll that its opponents should have
given loose rein to the prejudices
and animosities which characterized
their speeches. These gentlemen
have spoken and the country has
listened with close attention, with
much enlightenment and incident
ally with no little amazement.j
The country has a right to ex-
pect of its representatives tina,
whenever a subject Of grave inter-
national Importance, such as this
question of tolls comes up for de-
bate, it shall be considered strictly
upon its merits and that the dis
cussion shall be free from the least
faint of mere party politics and
all the insipcerity, by-play, and SUBJ
terfuge which the political game"
implies. Above all, a debate of this
kind should never be vulgarized bv
the interjection of personalities.
Say what he will, the, most hitter
opponent of repeal must admit that
this country is on trial before the
whole world in the matter of its
good faith and the sanctity of its
treaty obligations. There is no get
ting away from this fact; for the
president himself, in a joint session
Of the two houses, has so stated
the situation, telling congress in
simple words Of unmistakable
meaning, that the honor of the
country was at stake.
Surely, anyone with the most
elementary sense Of ethics, or even
of the common proprieties, must
have felt that this was an occasion
for cautious and dignifed debate;
and to the credit Of many of the
opponents of the bill, it can be said
that their speeches were delivered
in that spirit.
But, although many Of the repre-
sentatives spoke and voted against
repeal under a mistaken but sim
cere misapprehension of the treaty,
some Of the opposition we're msni-
testify swayed by other motives than
a desire TO get at the truth. Among
these we're subsidy seekers pure
and simple; those who do not hest
tate to stir up racial animosity;
and not a few who did not disdain.
to descend to per sonal abuse of the
president himself
AS regards the last named, it is
sufficient to say that envy has ever
been the parent Of malice. Presi-
dent Wilson is too firmly establish.
ed in the confidence and respect of
the country to be shaken by the
angry chattering of a few disap-
pointed politicians.
There is no doubt that the prin-
cipal oppt sition to the bill comes
from the coastwise shipping inter-
ests and from the politicians. Such
opposition as has been developed
among the public at large is the
result of an active campaign, in
which the arguments have been to
the most specious character and
have consisted largely in an appeal
to racial prejudice. We ~hadlhoped
hat this sort of tatics balanced