The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1914-08-24
Sectional Legislation.

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The state platform adopted by the
Republicans Of New York a few
days ago not only arraigns the Will.
son administration for inetdciency
but also charges II with the guilt Of
sectionalism, an o6epse against de-
cent government in free country
not to be readily overlooked, one not
to be tolerated at all,
II is agreed that the legislative
policy Of the administration has
been deliberately sectional and hos
tile to the industrial communities Of
the country. This hostility was
shown in the passage OF the tariff
law, when utter disregard was shown
those who sought to advise Congress
and whose knowledge and sugges-
lions would have been helpful,
It's tariffs legislation has been framed
in utter disregard Of reasonable and
fair protection to American labor and
American industries. and In reckless
trefusal to avail Of the benefit Of ex-
pert information gathered by the
tariff hoard. which was created by
ished by the Democratic Congress.
~
ployes have been thrown out Of
work and immense Losses have been
caused to American industries, SO
that domestic markets have been
turned over to the products OF for
eign countries. The pledge Of the
Democratic party to reduce the high
cost of living has lamentably failed
OF fulfillment."
Accusation Is made that the cur
rency and banking act, passed eight
months ago but not yet operative. is
sectional in intent and provisions
and represents an ill-concealed pur-
pose to injure some states and drive
capital to others 1t puts In the
hands OF the national government an
unprecedented power over the flnan-
cial operations of the country, and
opens facilities for imitation of the
currency which unwisely or reckless
" employed would lead to vide
spread disaster. /
The same hostile and sectional in
tent dictated the creation Of the
graduated income tax, with its ex-
emptions SO arranged as to relieve
four-f1fths Of the property owners Of
the country from their fair and Just
burden Of national taxation in order
to cast discriminative tax upon q
few prosperous and industrious
states.
"The Democratic administration is
now engaged In an effort to force
through Congress legislation giving
to the federal government a vast, un-
defined and inquisitorial power over
all the business activities Of the
country destructive Of the funda-
mental principles Of freedom Of la
Dor and opportunity and that protec-
ton of property to secure which gov
ernments are estab lished.
The mere threat OF the passage Of
these measures has alarmed il not
paralyzed industry, and enterprise is
pausing irresolute and apprehensive
of ruin from the dominance Of a
party actuated as whole by sec
tional Jealousy and envy OF business
success. New undertakings which
would furnish employment to labor
and a market for American products
have been abandoned because our
capitalists and manufacturers dis.
trust and fear government interfer-
ence in private business which now
menaces all classes, and irresponsi-
bic public officials with arbitrary In.
Quisitorial powers are prying into
the private affairs Of business men.
If this attitude Of hostility to
business and interference with pri-
,yate affairs Is to continue NO enter.
prise will be able to live In ttiis coun-
try unless It curries the favor of nol.