Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1914-05-07
A SIGN OF THE TIMES.


A SIGN OF THE TIMES.
Republicans throughout the nation
who deserted the ranks to follow the
Bull Moose standard through a ma
tional campaign are returning to the
Grand Old Party, the party of recon
struction days; the party of Lincoln
and-yes the party of LaFollette and
the so-called insurgent wing.
Tightening of the lines is manifest
on all sides, and leaders--not agita.
tors; statesmen-not politicians-are
realizing that the reformation of the
greatest party in the political history
of this nation must come from with.
in.
The national Republican Commit
tee several weeks ago took a lone
step in the right direction when it
submitted to the different states a
plan to change the system of repre-
sentation in the next national con.
vention. 1t is only right that the re-
presentation of the South should be
cut down, and it is only right that the
presidential primary laws, where they
are provided by statutes should he
recognized. ~
Whether we believe in the primary
as now constituted or not, if it is the
law Of the state as such it should be
recognized, and upheld by party
leaders gathered in conventions to
nominate candidates.
The return Of William A. Prender-
CAST. comptroller of the City of New
York, the man who nominated
Roosevelt at the Chicago Bull Moose
convention. to the Republican folu,
shows which way the political straws
are pointing.
His address before a recent Indi.
ana Republican State convention gives
the following summary of the Demo.
cratic regime which is interesting
and conclusive: l.
The Democratic party has now been
In power a little over one year, Tn.
der ordinary circumstances we might
forbear in u criticisms if it were
not for the fact that those in power
have boosted so Justify of their per-
1ormances, and made such extraya.
CANT claims for themselves and their
record, that We are justified in close.
~ examining that record and deter
mining to- what extent it squares
with the pretensions made in it's be.
hall. There is this further and more
important reason why we are called
upon to critically consider the nature
OF that record. Not. in 20 years has
the country been confronted with 50
serious a relaxation in trade and in.
dustry. In announcing the results of
the first six months operations of the
acknowledgement Tariff law, a lead.
ing daily said, on April 6, "the first
nalt years record of the new Tariff
Ia" presents a spectacle of falling
revenues, increased deficits, reduced
industrial activity, and smaller expor.
tation of manufactures" This, then,
IS the result of Democratic policies.
rms is the disheartening sequel to
the Tariff legislation which was 20.
ing to free industry, to upbuild Our
manufactures, instil efficiency into
our capitalists and artisans, and most
louoiy trumpeted claim of all. was
going to reduce the cost of living,
T. y
1t Is an insult to the integrity Of
our business interests to even insinu.
ate that when they are permitted n
express their views, present their
grievances to Congress, when It !,
preparing a Tariff bill, these men are
all going to be guilty of lobbying O.
using improper or undue Influence
with Congress. To take this view Is n
indict the reputation for honesty Of
purpose of the entire business com.
munity of America, and because Soma
interests have resorted to imnrono,
methods in the past, that is no iusti
1lcation for having practically closed
the door to our merchants and mann.
%facturers when they sought to exn1ain
their views to the committees Of Con.
gress which were preparing tho Tar
if bill.
The bill was rushed tbroupb .no
House of Representatives, I shou,d
say steam rollered, if that were M,