Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1914-06-25
Address Of Col John Martini Of Missouri Sergeantat
Arms Of the Democratic National Committee.

States Treasury and special interests.
In this connection it is interesting to
recall that seventeen years ago the Re-
publican party was put in control OF the
Government on a fight made on the f.
nanciaI question, but it remained for a
Democratic President to initiate and
urge modern currency system that
meets the business needs of the nation.
The elimination of lobby from the
halls of Congress and the seat Of Gov
eminent. as aresult of the exposures
made by President Wilson, who during
the consideration of the tariff measure,
became convinced that it was his duty
to emphasize to the people Of the ma
tion the fact that outside interests were
attempting to exert baneful influence
in the construction of real tariff mea-
sure and other laws in the public inter-
est. The President at once called pub
lie attention to the fact that great
lobby was vainly endeavoring to shape
the course of tariff legislation, and as
soon as he did so, special committees
were appointed by both branches of
Congress to investigate this lobby The
committees examined hundreds of wit
nesses and the evidence was overwhelm-
ing as to the existence Of lobby. The
result is that legislation is about to be
introduced to correct this abuse that
has prevailed for so long time in
Washington. BY his stand on the lob
by, enlightened public opinion has
again been put in the saddle at the
Capitol
The action of the Pustmaster-G ene--
al in making the postal service self
sustaining for The first time in the his
tory of the Government. As a sresul;
of the business like management oil
this great public service department, a
deficiency of $1,785, 5z3, 10 has been
converted into surplus of $4. sic. $50 81
The development and cx' tension OF
the ParcelPos System to high state
of perfection, which has re, ulted in a
reduction of rates and an extention OF
the limit of the size of packages, So
that home life for the city man as well
as for the farmer has been m d easier
and cheaper Another result has been
fhof fhn ovpracs ox ~, ,xoy,;oe, I, -.
duced rates all along the line, and have
been forced to meet competition All
at this has created new mark cts for
farm and factory products, as well as
merchandise Of all kinds
Former United States Senator. II. J
Hopkins, Republican of illinois has
praised President Wilson'S active poll
cy. "Business" said Senator Hopkins
"has SHOWN a decided improvement.
since January 1st / have observed
this on all sides. = In a large measure
attribute the Improvement to the pas
sage Of the Currency Bill, which, when
ana'yzed, is not a Democratic measure.
The present Congress improved upon
the Aldrich bill in taking the Fsderalfe
serve board out If the control Of the
bankers. As / view it, the new board
created by the Currency law should be.
come, ard doubtless will become; as in
dependent q governmental body az the
Interstate Commerce Commission or
the United States Supreme Court "
Sir Felix Schuster, Governor of the
Union of London and Smiths Bank. in
his general review of the fin ncal and
trade outlook, read at the annual meet
ing in London, January 2lst. stated
that the United States tariff act ard
the currency bill nassed bs the Ame i
can Congress W re the most important
events Of the year 1918. in the cemmer-
cial world. He also said These two
measures mu have far reaching con.
sequences for they have made the U,i
ted States more fo; midable compete
tor than ever before, not only az re.
CARDS international commerce, but as
threatening Lord3n's posi- ion IS the
center of international banking If, as
appears proi able the differences be-
tween the Uni.ed States government
and the large trading corporations
which have weighed SO heavily on en-
=tefprise for some years past can BE-
adjusted IN an equitable manner. new
era Of progress and development 5. ems
to be in store for the United States.
This is matter whit cannot fail to be
of vast Importance to British trade and
to the money markets o. Europe "
In conclusion, my fellow countrymen,
gladly would | review with you today
other important achievements of our
Democratic National Administration at
Washington, but your time will not
permit because you are now ready to
nominate the next Democratic Con-
gresham from this old Second West
Virginia District who no doubt will
again prove competent, worthy and
faithful, always the champion of the
peoples interest regardless of party af-
fiiation. Gap lause.)
Colonel Martin closed his address b.
paying a beautiful tribute to the Star
SpaDgled Banner and the Stars and
Bars which decorated the Opera House,
eloquently proclaimed hat in this cleo
trio progressive age. an era ia which
the forces Of ciYilazat on are being
brought into alignment. when people
understandseach other better and the
true historyqof the Cival War is truth
fully told by press and speakers. when
the chief officials of the Grand Army of
the Republic and the United Confede-
rate Veterans join hands and hearts
dedlcating Confederate monuments and
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