The Jasper news. [volume] (Jasper, Missouri) 1898-1924, 1915-06-17
POLITICAL
AC|TATORS..
POLITICIANS WHO CAPITALIZE
: STRIFE A MENACE TO 4,
GOVERNMENT. <
Neglect of Agricultural and Industrial
( Opportunities National Crime.
BY Peter Radford.

TORY OIL InlS nallOn Nlleu we uSSuSul
statesmen more or agitators less than
at the present moment. The oppor-
tunities now afforded us on land and
sea demand the best there is in state
craft and the possibilities that are con-
fronting US call for national issues
that unite the people, build industry
and expand trade. The agricultural
and industrial development of this
nation has suffered severely at the
hands OF agitatoTs who have sent
tCrpedoes crashing into the port side
Of business and whose neglect OF the
interests OF the farmer makes them
little less than political criminals We
want 10 more of these evil spirits TO
predominant in government. Too long
their hysterical cry has sent o shiveE
down the spinal column OF industry.
Too long have the political agitators
capitalized strife, piliagcd progress,
and murdered opportunity. An indusI
trial corpse is not desirable thing,
crippled business an achievement CT
neglect an accomplishment about
which any representative of TIE gov
- ''-4--ttb A'''o ~ lI.-liS W LSt%Sl'
Issues that Freed EqlSatoro Should be
Eliminated.
The political agitator must be elm
mated from public life before thought
full consideration can be given to a
constructive program in government.
The liquor question is the most pro-
life breeding ground fer agitators and
whether pro or ami, the hatch is
equally as undesirable. This article
is in 10 sense discussion of the Ii
Quor question but deals solely and by
way of illustration with the political
| products of that issue. Other sub
| jects will be dealt with in the order
of their Importance.
In the history of our government
the liquor issue has never produced
o constructive statesman worth NEIL
tioning and it never will. 1t has sent
more freaks to Congress, Lilliputians
to the Senate and incompetents to
office than any other political issue
under the sun.
The recent experience of the Eng
| lish Parliament which dashed itself
into a fury over the liquor question
| has lesson that it is well for the
| farmers of this nation to observe; for
| the subject in some form or other is
constantly before the public for solu-
| ton and ofttimes to the exclusion Of
| more important problems to the Amer
lean plowmen.
Too Many Political prunkards.
Lloyd-George, the Prohibition leader
of Europe who led the prohibition fight
in England, has declared that he will
never again take a drink politically
and there are many American politi-
cians-pro and auti-who would render
their country q service by climbing
on the water wagon or signing a pledge
| of political temperance. Too often
| our legislative halls are turned into
political bar-roCms and many OF the
| members become intoxicated On liquor
discussions. We have too many polit-
ical drunkards-pro and anti-in our
public affairs. No one who is a slave
TO the political liquor habit is quite
so capable Of dealing with the bust
ness affairs Of government as the
sober and industrious. We have few
public men in this day who are strong
enough to resist the temptation of
strong drink politically and when the
demon Rum once becomes firmly en-
trenched in the mind OF politician,
he is less capable of meeting the de-
mands for constructive craftsmanship
now confronting this nation.
We have in this country too many
red-nosed politicians-both pro and
anti. A candidate with political deli
rum tremens, a preacher with politi~
cal snakes in his boots and an agitator
drunk ON the liquor question are the
saddest sights in civilization and they
should all be forced to take the polit-
ical Kelley Cure.
1t is far more important in govern
ment to make it easier for those who
toll to eat than to make it more diff
ficult for few topers to drink. There
is not one person in one hundred of
our rural population that ever touches
liquor but we all eat three times a
day. ~,