The Climax-Madisonian. (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1914-1917, 1915-02-10
The DANGER SIGNAL.

We lake no part in the quarrel be-
tween Senators James and Camden other
thaA TO deplore its occurrence. Person
atty should never have been injected
into a question fraught with so much
interest to the Democratic party. The
subject matter should receive the most
dispassionate, kindly aud dignified dis
cussion. Nothing is gained by the bonn
bastic, explosive speeches made by SEN
ators Stone and James. The Democratic,
party is on trial and its deliberations
should be signally calm. We do not be-
lieve that he is, but if Senator Camden
is actuated by Interior motives, the peo-
pie will find it out in due season. 1t
does not belong to his fellow-senator to
administer chastiSement. The so called
eXcoriatiouS of Senator James will re-
bound against him. All the wisdom is
not lodged in his Uranium.
The question of purchasing ships by
the government is not democratic doc
trine. 1t Is expressly contrary TO the
fundamental party law as expressed in
all the Democratic platforms for the last
twenty five years. The Democratic par
tY at large has had no opportunity to go
on record and express either their ap-
prevail or disapproval of the same. They
have, for time out of memory, positively
declared against ship subsidy. The ship
purchase bill is not only ship subsidy
in its rakest sense, but far exceeds it,
and to our mind is one of the most dan
gerous declarations yet put forward by
any President. In short, it is nothing
more than the ownership of public utili-
ties and centralized government, di-
rected from Warrington. The Demo
cratic party has fought the idea of GEN.
tralization from the very infancy of the
party to the present time. Yet, despite
all of the history of the Democratic
party, the President, who stands as its
leader, foists upon Congress this danger
Gus bill and demands its passage. He
has thrown the whole power of his ad
ministration behind it and his admins
Iration takes the chance of scuttling the
Democratic ship of state on the rock of
ship purchase
Personally. we are violently opposed
to it and we believe that every democrat
who loves the party principles and who
takes pleasure in the party history, will
likewise disapprove the measure.
1t is urged that it is absolutely neces-
sary to own and control ships in order
TO correct exorbitant ocean freight rates,
The argument is without the vestige of
truth. There is not a ship that can
touch the shores of the United States
except by the consent of the United
States. Before any ship loads its cargo
and departs from our shores, it can be
required to execute a contract that is
both reasonable and just To ship owner
and to shippers. Congress has the ex-
elusive right to determine what rates
are right and proper and to exclude
from the ocean carrying trade all ships
that refuse to accept its DEGREES. They
are nothing but common carriers, sub
ject to the regulation of Congress, like
the railroads and other common carriers
of Ihe interior.
The cry of excessive freight rates, >
and I'VE are against the ship building
trust" are but bogies brought into exis
tence to give seeming foundation for the
passage of the ship purchase bill.
1t remains TO be seen whether the
President and the Democrtic Senator:
and Congressman who blindly follow hi:
lead, will see the danger signal erected
by the eight boiling Democrats in the