The Climax-Madisonian. (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1914-1917, 1915-02-17

people generally when fully under
stood, when we have other measures
OF real merit awaiting consideration,
and in which the masses of the people
are so vitality interested. The appro-
priation bills essential to the proper
running of the Government must be
passed. There is the rural-credits bill
which might be discussed and passed
at this session, and which affects the
real interests of thousands of farmers
and merchants of this country. 1 can
not see wherein this bill is in the in
'terest of the farmer or the producer,
as is contended by some; his grain
and cotton and other products have
practically all been sold and are now
in the hands of the exporter who pur-
chased them, and if this bill would
benefit anyone at this time it would
be the exporter. These enormous
freight rates will not be paid by the
farmer, but by the purchaser across
the ocean.
/ am a farmer, and have recently
sold my cattle and wheat at better
prices than l have sold them fer in
years. The war is the immediate
cause of these high prices-the high
price of wheat as well as the high
price of shipping. Wheat is to-day
quoted at $1.65 per bushel. Would this
fact justify the Government in invest
ing the public funds in vast acreage
in the West and raise wheat in COM
! petition with the farmer in order to
!. reduce the present enhanced price?
| While this may be far-fetched, what
! concerns us most is to determine
! where Government ownership and
| competition with the individual is to
stop. Where is the line to be drawn
if we once embark upon the project?
l am opposed to establishing any such
precedent.
Mr.. President. have endeavored to
make plain my objections 20 tails bill,
and in manner in keeping with the
dignity of this body. l have not i'm
pugned the motives of anyone, realiz.
ing that it is a measure regarding the
merits of which Senators may differ
and are entitled 10 express their
honest convictions. No Senator has a
monopoly of wisdom and virtue that
authorizes him to criticize and con-
denim another who differs with him as
to what is for the best interests of
the people of this country nor to read
him out of the party because he will
not violate his clear convictions" at
the behest of a conference. subse-
quently called a caucus, in which he
did not participate. ul-advised and
ill-tempered remarks never won a
cause, and deprecate their use in this
Chamber.
It is rather inconsistent for those
who profess to be leaders here and to
speak for the administration to criti
cize Democratic Senators for con
ferring> with Republican Senators or
this measure when President Wilson
Immediately calls into conference
three Senators from that side of the
Chamber.
1t is highly inconsistent for the
same leaders to criticize me because
will not violate my clear convictions
and support a measure which I deem
undemocratic and socialistic, and upoI
which the people have not passed
when the President vetoes a measur,
which passed the Senate by a vote o
SO to Z because it is opposed to hii
clear convictions" / honor and ad
mire him for his courage; but is i
possible that a Senator is not entities
to the same privilege? Must he sur
render his "clear convictions" on
measure vastly more important, NOR,
revolutionary, and upon which tn,
people have not rendered their vel
dict?
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