The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1915-02-17


Washington. d. c. Especially -Sena,
Tor J. N. Camden of Kentucky made a
speech in the Senate upon the Ship
Purchase Bill that has attracted an
unusual amount Of attention. Senator
Camden is opposed to taxing the peo-
pie Of Kentucky $4o.OO0,OOo until they
have been heard. and defined his posi-
ton on this important legislation in
his speech before the United States
Senate. February 4. 1915. as follows:
Mr.. Camden. Mr. President, would
Ike to state my reasons for voting to
recommit this bill consider 1t undi-
gested, half baked, and full Of fallacies,
and thoroughly undemocratic in prin-
slple and theory.
Object to Government Ownership.
To my mind there are several seri-
Gus objections to the enactment into
NV Of this bill, almost any one Of
which would be sufficient In itself to
compel me to cast my vote against it.
Viewed from the standpoint of time
honored Democratic doctrine and prin-
eiple. 1t Is most alarming, objectiona-
bic, and dangerous. l feel that / do
rot exaggerate when l say that the
policy OF true Democracy will be fun
tamentally changed by the passage
Of this bill. II 1t becomes q law, the
Democratic Party will be irrevocably
committed to the theory Of paternal
form OF government, which, freely
translated. means state socialism.
This Is the entering wedge for Gov
eminent control of other forms OF
trades and industries. Personally l
am far from convinced that the Demo
cratic Party of this Nation is prepared
for this great leap into the dark. And
do not feel that this country should
be committed to this new and radical
policy without having it thoroughly
discussed before and digested by the
rank and file of the party and the peo-
pie and have their seal of approval or,
at least. their Endorsement of the un-
dertaking before they are irrevocably
committed to this doubtful govern
mental ownership and operation of a
merchant marine.
President Wilron, in his message to
Congress on January 20 vetoing the
immigration bill, recently passed by
both Houses, and which passed the
Senate by a vote Of so to and the
House by vote Of 2S4 to IA. said:
"If the people of this country have
made up their minds to limit the num-
Der Of immigrants by arbitrary tests,
and SO reverse the policy Of all the
generations of Americans that have
gone before them, II Is their right to
do so. l am their servant. and have
NO license to stand in their way. But
I do not believe that they have. l
respectfully submit that no one can
quote their mandate to that effect.
Has any political party ever avowed
q policy Of restriction in this funda-
mental matter, gone to the country on
1t, and been commissioned to control
It's legislation? Does this bill rest
upon the conscious and universal as
sent and desire Of the American peo-
pie? doubt 1t. 1t Is because l doubt
II that make bold to dissent from 1t.
am willing to abide by the verdict,
but not until It has been rendered.
Let the platforms Of parties speak out
upon this policy and the people pro-
nounce their wish. The matter is too
fundamental to be settled otherwise. !"
This terse and facile language Of the
President expresses my views OF the
shipping bill SO much clearer and
more emphatic than could that take
pleasure in adopting and applying 1t
to this bill. II II be true that the liter
acy test OF the immigration bill would
$50 reverse the policy Of all the gen.
erations of Americans that have gone
BEFORE" what reversal OF policy do we
md in this shipping bill. which com.
nits the people unheard, consequently
without an opportunity to make up
their minds or render their verdict on
an undertaking so revolutionary that
the business world must stand aghast
"Has any political party ever avowed
q policy on this fundamental matter,
gone to the country on 1t and been
commissioned to control its legisla-
tion? Does this bill rest upon the con-
scious and universal assent and desire
of the American people? ! doubt It,
II is because ! doubt 1t that ! make
bold to dissent from 1t. am willing
to abide by the verdict. but not until
it has been rendered. Let the plat
forms of parties speak out upon this
policy and the people pronounce their
wish. The matter is too fundamental
to be settled offhand or In any other
way" Mr.. President, am willing to
be guided by the wish of the people
when expressed on this great funda-
mental question and even surrender
10 the will OF the majority my clear
conviction" but am not willing to
surrender that conviction and my
sense of duty until the people have
spoken. For these reasons partici-
pated in none OF the so-called confer