The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1914-06-24
Idle Words.

In the idle twaddle with which
resolutions are being prefaced in
Democratic conventions there is a
large share of verbosity in regard to
clean politics, the elimination OF
bosses, the destruction of party ma
chimes and so forth. 1t may be well
for the voter to take notice Of the fact,
although he doubtless has, that such
wordiness is fraudulent affection, de-
fusion and snare, SO far as Demo-
cratic action is concerned. The Demo-
Gratis have built up one of the most
powerful and most Ubiquitous politi-
cal machines in Washington the coun-
try has ever witnessed. The Con-
nellsville, Pa, Courier, tells about 1t
as follows:
1.-The cohesive power of plumber"
was the subject of considerable public
discussion at time when a very
prominent Democratic organization
was in control Of New York City's
government. 1t was generally admit
ted that the cohesive power of plum
der was as great as it was inimical to
the welfare of the frst city of the
country.
Political patronage is legitimate
political plumber, and its cohesive
power in Democratic circles at Wash
ington seems to be quite as great as
the other king ever was in Manhattan.
The bossism Of Tammany Hall under
Richard Croker was never more alb
solute than that of the White House
under Woodrow Wilson.
When the Democratic party came
into power through political acct
dent some of the experienced leaders
doubted the wisdom of imposing upon
the country too hastily or too heavily
Democratic policies which evidently
did not have the approval of ma
jority OF the people; but the Apostle
of New Freedom was imbued with the
thought that the Democratic platform
was an inspiration, instead of a clev-
er string of words prepared by one
William Jennings Bryan without the
aid or consent of any ether Demo-
crat, and that its immediate aud
thorough application was & sacred
duty.
The tariff was revised with the
consent and appreciation of the House
leaders, but in that revision the Sen
ate cast moderation and discretion to
the winds and established the princi-
pie of free trade regardless of its
effect upon American industry.
The banking law was revised, with
rather reluctant approval, and the re-
suit is about to be tried upon the
country. The law will probably &C.
compllsh its aims political and other
wise.
The clause in the Panama act per
hitting American coastwise vessels to
pass through the canal free was re-
pealed on the demand of President
Wilson and in defiance of the declara-
ton Of the Baltimore platform in its
favor. In this matter, the President
was bigger than his party from every
standpoint.
The Congress is still in session with
certain so-called antitrust bills pend
ing. These bills are drastic in char
acter. They are designed to put the
regulation of all manner OF private
business in the hands of the govern
ment. In all the history of legislation
there has been no longer step toward
Socialism.
In the meantime, the country has
felt the blighting effect of the Demo-
cratic tariff policy, and the people are
dissatisfied with present conditions
and present rule. They are in a mood
to return to the party and the policies
which made for prosperity and pro-
gress. They have had enough of
academic experiments in statesman
ship.
Democratic leaders like Underwood
and Palmer have pleaded with the
President to heed the storm Of pro-
test against further meddling with
business and consent to the adjourn
ment of Congress, permitting the an
ti-trust bills to lie over until fall. Bur