The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1914-10-23
ADDISON I. SMITH
WRITES CONSTITUENCY
House of Representatives U. $.
Washington, d. {.

October I, 1914.
Hon George A. Day, Chairman,
Republican State Central Com,
Boise, Idaho.
Dear Mr.. Chairman:
1t has been my expectation to reach
Idaho by the time and take an active
part in the campaign in behalf of our
ticket, but the prolonged session of
Congress has upset NY plans. Leaves
of absence can now only be obtained
in the House on account of sickness,
but in any event | feel that can best
serve the interests of the people of
Idaho by remaining here until The
adjournment OF Congress, which we
now hope will occur between the 18th
and 10th of the month, when | will
Immediately return to the state, and
meet such engagements as the COM
mite may make for me.
regret the long continued session
of Congress, especially because of the
general business distraction through
out the central and eastern states,
which is the inevitable result of much
of the legislation which is being plac-
ed upon the statute books.
The Democratic party took full con-
troll in March, 1918. One month
thereafter this Congress began its
sittings. 1t continued without ces-
sation and is still in session. The
Democrats have the House by l46
majority, the Senate by safe major
ity, and an Executive elected by
inority vote.
When congress opened the country
was closing a sixteen year period Of
Republican rule, the greatest era of
| prosperity ever recorded in this coun-
try. The business situation, which al
ways serves as the barometer of the
welfare of the people, had never been
better. Every man who had anything
to sell could find a market at a good
price. If it was the farmers product
he found a ready sale. If it was the
miners the lumberman's, or the man
ufacturer's commodity, purchasers
were at hand. 1t it was the toiler, he
could find demand for his labor at
steady employment, and at good
wages. If it was the capitalist he
could find a market for his investment.
The condition OF prosperity had never
been so favorable for all classes.
After some eighteen months of
Democratic control a new policy, cal
led The New Freedom, has left its
tracks in the wake of business dis
tracing legislation. Enterprise has
been quoted, capital is hesitant, labor
is disheartened to a large extent, and
the country's prosperity has given
place to business stagnation i'll many
localities.
This situation was started by the
mean free trade Underwood bill. 1t
was built upon the theory of foreign
production rather than the, home mar
ket for our own products. 1t was
rightly interrupted by one Of its OPP
ponents, when he said "our future lies
beyond the seas"
Under the bill which went into eff
feet October 3, 1913, business enter
prise was discouraged, and home pro-
duction curtailcd. During the hrst 3
months we purchased abroad $l22,-
100000 worth more than during like
period the year before, and we sold
for export $l2600O,0OO less.
In six months the loss to us was
$250,000000, which would have en-
ployed nearly half million laborers
for the six months at $500 pen day.
During the same period the falling
off of the customs duties upon which
we must depend for our revenue to
run the government, was about $Io,-
100000. This was before the war;
(which clearly proves that the present
deficiency in our revenues was not
caused by the war, except war on our
industries. The deficit was unavoid-
able as a result of the reduction OF
duties, and its remedy was either to
re-write the tariff laws, issue bonds,
or levy a direct tax The latter is the
| Il. hoe aHnnfR6
under the guise of war tax. 1t does
not seem crediable with these facts so
patent, that the people will allow
themselves to be deceived.
The one thing that every voter
should do when he enters the booth
is to compare conditions of 1912 UNI
der Republican rule, with those o.
1914 under Democratic rule, and ther
before he marks his ballot ask him
self the question why the differ
ence"
Perfection is Republican doctrine
the Democrats, true to their historic
policy of negative action, repudlate Il
see the results.
| have too much confidence in thu
intelligence of the American people t
= believe that a majority Of them vii
vote to continue present conditions
in order to blindly attempt to carr.
out theory which has been demon
\ strated time and time again to be IL
: logical and an economic failure, or t
stubbornly follow the policies OF
partv whose every attempt in the las
sixty wears to successfully manag
the affairs of this great country, ha
) been repudiated at the polls at tn
first opportunity.
Therefore believe that the priu
ciples of the Republican party wi
Y be triumphant at the ,approachln
| election, not only in Idaho, but i
n those states which heretofore hav
been in the Republican column.
y Sincerely yours,
AnnICON IT SMITH