Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1914-04-24
TOLLS EXEMPTION QUESTION

ton 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 act and sound that
they will appeal to the readers IF
the independent and they are &C.
cordiogly reproduced, as follow S:
Although IN ground Of decenay
and dignity there was much TO lie
plorc 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 ard incident
ally with no little amazement.5
The country has a right to cx-
pect Of its representatives that
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 End that the dis
cussion shall be free from the least
faint of mere party politics and
all the insircerity, by-play, and sub
terfuge which the political game"
implies. Above MI, a debate Of this
kind should nevsr be yulgarized bv
the interjection Of personalities.
Say what he will, the most hitter
opponent of repeal mast admit that
this country is IN 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, t.lling congress in
simple words of unmistakable
meaning, that the honor of the
country VAS at take.
Surely, anyone with the most
elementary sens of ethics, or even
of the common proDrictIes, 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 spcecl IS were delivered
in that spicit.
But, although many of the repre-
]sentatives spoke and voted against
repeal under a mistaken bu, sin
cere misappr2hCrsion Of the treaty,
some of the opposition were mani
testify swaycd b; other motives than
a desire TO get al the truth. Among
these were sub-jiy seekers pure
and simple; tho. who do not hest
tate to stir up racial animosity:
and not a few VIC did rot disdain
to descend to personal abuse OF the
president himself.
As regards tn last named, it is
sufficient TO say nat envy has ever
been the parent of malice. Prrsi-
dent Wilson is tco firmly establish.
ed in the confdCIce and respect Of
the country to be shaken by the
angry chattering Of a few disap-
Gointed politicians.
There is no dulbt that the prin-
cipal opposition - the bill comes
from the coastwi lie shipping inter-
csts and from IT, politicians. Such
opposition as las been developed
among the publ Mt large is the
result Of ar a tive campaign, in
when the arguments have been to
the most specir S character and
have consisted Ia scly in an appeal
10 racial prejudi .. We had hoped
that this sort If tatics belonged
to an earlier and raider day. No
one seriously believes that the pres
ident has taken IS firm stand in
favor of fulfllil! treaty obliga-
tiOns on any 9th ground thsn that
Of national hone. To suggest that
he is acting VI .Ir pressure from
any foreign pn or, and that he
has made n "dc l." in which our
own treaty right have been used
to buy Off forciga interference in
Mexico or clscwL. 70, is TO do vio-
lcncc to tho vC-y qualities which
have won for pur president so
strong q bold uluI the confidence
and hign regard "t the country.
The Tolls bill tGe zone to the senate