Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1915-02-18

II l11 " 90 ~ otAAAG0 0AhA AAA4LtCCQ III "a
q poganda to Discredit the President h
81 And put the Payne-Aldrich Bill n
I4 Back on the Statute Books. y
90 S99999999 $500
Washington. D. c. Feb. Is With
the complete capture of the G. o. p.
by the Penroses. Barnes, Cannon,
Smoot. Mann, Illinois Mckinley. Rod
enberg, and the other Aldrich lieuten-
ants. who absolutely dominate the or
ganization of the party in Congress and
out, there Is well-directed well-fi-
nanced movement on the part of the
old protective tariff system, which has
for its object the control and possession
Of the Federal government. There are
evidences at every fan,t that the fayi
orites of the protective system, who
preyed and fattened on the public at
will during the operation of the Payne
Aldrich bill, are Smelling out, and that
they are generously backing a nation
wide propaganda to again get control
of our government.
The Aldrich crowd that wrecked the
Republical party end has again gained
control of it, the Republican and reac-
tionary press, and the various agencies
of the old reactionary on fit are busy
just now throwing mud at the presi-
dent, who has stood steadfastly at his
post of duty, wisely directed the gov
eminent in the most turbulent aud
distressing period in the history of the
world, and who, above and before all
things. has kept US awav from
war and at peace with the earth. Di
credit the great man in the White
House, and we may have chance
That is the game of the tariff plumber
ers and the crowd which have manned
and recently taken possession of the
Republican party and its organization.
Money-wel', that is no object, as
there will be full treasury, and even
at this early date there is not wanting
evidence of financial ability and abun-
nSC~NO POt Ao1 WcLu LIE pTopdS atlGd
necessary to bring about restoration
of the Payne Aldrich law. Tie Pitts
burgh Post has had something to say
of the movement. Editorialiy this
paper said in its issue Of January IL:
When Senator Jacobb H. Gallinger
few days ago introduced resolution
ton in the upper branch of Congress
providing for substitution, exactly as
it was written, of the Payne Aldrich
tariff for the Underwood law, the>gen-
eral impression was that the New
Hampshire statesman was indulging
merely in fippancy However. it turns
-t.ttt ~ hay.4. hqar7 tha ntire, act eff .
studied program Of the standpat elem
ent of the Repub lean party for the 1916
Presidential campaign-a high tariff
propaganda which is to be pushed per
sistently until the day of the Republi-
can nominating convention. A large
fund, it is understood, has been rails, d
to defray the expenses of this prelimi
nary campaign to stir. up discomfort
with conditions, and if possible, to
create public sentiment favorable to
a return to the days of high protec-
tive tariff. The struggle is to be mo-
nentous, since those promoting the
campaign must foresee that, unless
victory can be won both in the nomi-
mating convention and later at the polls
in 1916, the high protective system, as
it existed in the days when Serene
Payne and Nelson ". Aldrlch were
dominant in the legislative councils of
of the country, will be gone forever.
1.-THE standpat leaders apparently
have closed their eyes to the fact that,
in demanding the restoration of the
Payne. Aldrich tariff. they are slapping
directly at the element responsible for
the insurgent movement of but few
years ago. which element marked the
first big line of Cleavage within the Re-
publican party. They are doing this,
it is said, because of belief that they
can at this time club into line those
who disagree with them. The organi-
cation of the propaganda is understood
TO have been under way since shortly
after the last election. Some of the
old-time methods are to be employed.
Already members of Congress who
voted for the Underwood tariff law,
particularly those from debatabie states
are receiving written requests to get
in line and assist in the re- enactment
of protective tariff laws. Printed
cards are also coming in signed by con-
stituents in the home districts.