Barton County democrat., 1914-01-09

big stick. The big stick was public
opinion and no one can claim it as a
heritage. -
The recent disclosures in. the af-
fairs o, the management Of the New
Haven & Frisco railway emphasize
the necessity that our federal govern
ment must assume greater powers Of
supervision over the great corpora
tions engaged IN interstate commerce.
Such transactions could not take place
under the Kansas utilities law, and
the watchful eye Of our present com
Iission. We regulate their capitali-
zatiou issuance Of stocks and bonds
and the federal government must ef.
Ifectively do the same thing. The men
who control the funds Of industrial
enterprises, the giant reserves of life
insurance companies, the accumula-
tions of the railroads and direct
where such funds shall be kept, are
the men who are able to use these
funds for ventures, i'm which they are
personally interested. They direct
the investment of these moneys in-
to channels that bring to them un-
told gain, counter to the welfare and
good Of the general public.
Our party has begun a system of
constructive legislation. In our state
we point with pride to the most pro-
gressive Legislature that has ever
served the state. The one great dis
appointment was the failure of the
initiative and referendum resolution.
This failed of passage for the reason
that the ProgreSsives and Republi-
cans bound themselves by caucus
agreement to vote against the meas
ure and parrot-like every man with
one exception, Offered exactly the
same explanation when he cast his
vote, betraying the confidence of his
constituents and repudiating his plat.
form pledge.
6ristoW and Murdoch
What happened in the Kansas legis.
latbre also happened in congress.
Two prominent Kansans-Mr. Bristow
and Mr.. Murdock-who popularized
themselves by fighting and voting
against the Payne-Ahrich tariff bill
bill which Senator LaFolette said
was only little short Of a crime
discredited themselves at the special
session by voting against the Wilson
tariff bill; an act which was eQuiva.
lent to voting to continue the PAYNE
Aldrich tariff in force. These same
Two men, claiming to be progressive
and who were at least elected on a
platform proclaiming to be progres.
sive, voted against the best and fair.
est tariff bill ever presented for the
men who were supposed to be Pro
gressiveS in 1909, voted like standpat-
ters in 1913, with Penrose and Smoot,
and by so voting sought to perpetu-
ate the special privileges granted to
the few at the expense of the many.
The achievements Of this congress
under the guidance Of our great pres
ident are unparalleled in the history
Of this nation.
The new Democracy has proven it.
self constructive Democracy and in
the short space Of ten months has
given America the two most vital
Legislative enactments Of the age. We
must pause long enough, as someone
has said, to give the Republican par
ty a tear.
For years the question Of a change
in our currency system was prom
inent one in its deliberations. For
years they have talked, but only
talked. 1t remained for a militant,
patriotic Democracy to both sow and
reap in the first year Of their renew
ed life by putting these United States
abreast of the other enlightened ma;
tions, who believe IN and have pro-
vtded instruments for a safe and sane
elastic currency. The n ations ap.
plaud the Wilson policy In Mexico,
as wisely humane. Commercial star
walton Is most effective method
and 1t remained for a great Demo
cratic statesman to find this wonder
full solution, instead Of rushing into
needless war. HIS perstStency, fl
deity, poise. his wonderful self-con-
trol and the bending Of every energy
to the accomplishment Of his purpose,
has endeared President Wilson to
every American whether he believes
as he believes or not.
Judging by the most unanimous
expressions Of approval, a great ma
IiOrity Of Kansas people. irresnectiHe