Gilpin observer., 1914-09-24
WASHINGTON news
BY Edward Keatang.

According to newspaper reports, the
standpat Republicans in the United
States senate are planning filibust-
er against President Wilson's emer-
gency war revenue bill. The gentle
men OF the minority make political
capital and they will undertake to
keep congress in session until after
the elections. Then, II the Demo-
Gratis win, the opposition will collapse
but, II the Republicans triumph, the
work OF harassing Wilson will contin-
uo indefinitely.
OF course, tile standpatters can
make their bluff good, If they see
fit. Under the rules of the senate,
few senators may block public bust
ness for an indefinite period
But what do the people think of
are willing to indulge in such petty
piece Of business at time when the
nation Is facing a most trying crisis?
l think President Wilson answered
that question when he addressed con-
gress on September 4 and urged the
passage OF tie emergency war bill.
The people of this country are
both intelligent and profoundly patri-
otic." said he. "They are ready to
meet the present conditions in the
right way and to support the govern
ment with generous self denial. They
know and understand, and will be in
tolerant only of those who dodge res
possibility or are not frank with
them.
The occasion is not of our own
making. We had no part in making
it. But it is here.
I'VE shall pay tie bill, though we
did not deliberately incur it."
The standpatter senators are evil
IDENTIFY proceeding on the theory that
the people are not intelligent and
that they may be easily bamboozled.
AS usual, it will be found that the
president is right. He has a keener
insight into the mental processes of
the American people than any other
man in public life.
Situation in the South.
The object of the emergency rev.
enue bill is not merely to provide
funds to meet governmental expendi-
lures. AS the president explained in
his message, the treasury was never
in better condition. The surplus
runs well over the one hundred mill
ion mark, but practically all that sum
is in the banks and through them has
been loaned to the farmers to har-
vest and move their crops. To call
it in would produce financial string
ency which in times like these might
prove disastrous.
The situation Is stu further COM
plicated by conditions in the south
ern states. The largest cotton and
tobacco crops in the nations history
are ready for the market. but there
are no buyers. Europe absorbs half
our cotton crop and Europe is fight
ing just now instead of spinning. Our
mills are running to capacity hut they
can't handle the crop.
Cotton has dropped from twelve to
six cents. This means a loss of $3.50,
100000 to the farmers OF the south.
But 1t won't stop there. There is
no assurance that there will be a mar
ket for next years crop.
The result of all this is that the
people of the south>are facing wide
spread bankruptcy. The situation is
comparable to that which confronted
the citizens of Colorado and other
western states in 1898 when the Sher
man silver-purchasing act was repeal
ed and our mines closed down.
Now, you cannot paralyze the chief
industry of one-third of the nation
without seriously affecting the other
two-thEds. In self-defense, II from
no loftier motive. the north and west
must stand by the south.
The distressed cotton grower must
be given chance to renew his notes
and possibly borrow little more.
The southern banker and business
man must be made to feel that they
may extend his credit with safety.
It's a delicate situation. The presi-
dent is handling II IN snperh fashion.
He Is not beating tom-toms. or CIV
ing out sensational interviews. That
is not his way. But he is quietly pro
ceeding to pull the country out Of a
nasty hole In such way as to in
flict the minimum of damage.
And he will succeed II those pesky
sthndpat senators do not mess things