American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1914-05-14
LET THE PEOPLE DETERMINE
Senator Borah Would Give the People
Chance TO Vote on Canal Tolls

Bearing the caption of Senator
Borah is wise; let the people deter
mine" recently appeared the following
editorial in the Washington Post:
Senator Borah on May 2 offered the
following resolution which is so emil
nently in accord with the spirit of our
institutions that it is exceptionally diff
ficult to perceive how any senator can
vote against it.
whereas the three political parties
now represented in the executive and
Legislative departments of the govern
ment and which alone will have to do
with pending legislation. went before
the voters in the last national cam
pafgn solemnly committed to the pol
icy and the justice of exemption of
tolls from American vessels engaged
in coastwise trade; and
Whereas the three candidates for
the presidency individually declared
in favor of the justice and the wisdom
of such policy; and
Whereas it is now deemed by some
the part of wisdom, Notwithstanding
such pledges and platforms, to impose
tolls upon American vessels engaged
in coastwise trade; and
Whereas national honor and the
fundamental principles of representa-
tive government require that we deal
in the utmost good faith with the cleo
torate, and that all public servants
carry out the pledges solemnly made
to the people and upon and by reason
of which pledges they are delegated
to act for the people; and
Whereas at the approaching Novem-
Der election the entire house of repre-
sentatives and 80 members of the Sen
ate are to be elected, all of whom must
be elected by popular vote; and
Whereas in this way a referendum
for all practical purposes may be had
upon this important question hereto
fore submitted to the people; and
Whereas no injury of any moment
can possibly arise or be incurred by
reason of delaying the passage Of this
bill sof the next few months: There
: fore,
BE it resolved, that a vote upon H
r. 1885, providing for the repeal o
that portion of the act of August "a
1912, providing for the exemption o
1 tolls upon vessels engaged in coast
wise trade shall be postponed unit
after the convening of Congress, De
l. cember Z, 1914, to the end that thii
matter may again be submitted to thu
= voters of the United States whose righ
and privilege it is to finally determine
this question
:. Senator Borah favors consulting
the people.
Senator Borah knows well the con
2 dition the Republican party found it
o self in during the campaign of 191.
{ was brought on by it's failure to carr
e out the platform pledges given in 1870
+ in the manner and spirit the peopl
! understood they would be carried out
e Every Democratic member of tn
e United States Senate is well aware O
S that followed as the result of its fail
o ure to carry out it's platform pledges
e 1T is not possible for the Democrat
o ic party to escape the political disaste
e that it will merit if it repudiates tb
e platform pledge and the candidate
promise as to the tolls exemption o
T. American coastwise vessels passin
N through the canal
L Let them indulge in no illusory Wis
H. ions as to that fact.
q 1.-The great majority of the America
D. people is against repeal.
r. "The vast majority of the rank AN
CT file of the Democratic party is strongl
r patriotic and favors a policy of Annel
D. canism.
10 "The vast majority of the rank an
d. file believes implicitly in every plan
I'd of the platform and is opposed to tn
I'd proposed repeal.
er If some of the Democratic senator
IN doubt it, why not then consult the PEI
he pie once more and let them again pa:
nd upon the question in accordance wit
n Senator Borah's resolution? Let Il
senators of the United States tai
n counsel with the voters. They NAL
nd senators and presidents now"
in AILSHIE SATURDAY NIGHT