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

! can ind nothing In the platform ut
terances OF the Democratic Party that
ir any way commits Democratic sena-
tors to Its support or even countc-
nances this proposed measure, but, on
the contrary, as | read the merchant
marine plank OF the Democratic plat
form OF 1912, 1t clearly condemns such
procedure as is here contemplated.
That plank reads:
I'VE believe In fostering. by constL
tutional regulation OF commerce, the
growth OF q merchant marine, which
shall develop and strengthen the com.
mercial ties which bind US to our sis
ter Republics Of the South, but with
out imposing additional burdens upon
the people and without bounties or
subsidies from the Public Treasury"
AS I understand the purposes Of this
bill, 1t does not attempt to be in har.
mony with this platform declaration to
regulate or to "foster by constitutional
regulation Of commerce the growth of
a merchant Marine" but, on the con-
trary, 1t proposes for the Government
to jump full-nedged into the business
itself and simultaneously create and
conduct merchant marine, and does
II In open and fragrant violation OF the
platform declaration, because in do
ing so 1t Is not regulation but opera
ton; and, besides, it is manifestly
imposing additional burdens upon
the people by using forty mil
lions of the peoples money in a
hazardous venture, and that, too,
at a time of great public stress,
when the Treasury needs every
dollar to avoid further taxation Of the
people. This is no time for doubtful
business ventures or experiments. In
dividuals, guided by experience, are
cautious; why should the Governm mt
be otherwise? Are we true to our con-
stituents' interests or to our oaths Of
office II we commit the Government to
business venture so fundamentally
unsound and unwise, In which we as
individuals would not embark, con
vinced, in advance, as every business
man must be, that it will necessarily
be a losing investment? No coun.
try has tried Government owner
ship for a fundamental rea-
son. They realize that it places
the conduct of its foreign bust
ness In the realms of international af
fairs and complications. There is
nothing in the experience of those
| countries which have tried, or are try
ing, government ownership Of railroads
or other public utilities that would re-
commend 1t to us as a success. The
| wasteful and unbusinesslike manner
in which the Government conducts its
affairs, State and Nation, is Of itself
sufficient to discourage and to con
denim such an experiment, especially
at a time when our revenues have de
creased to such an extent, owing to
the foreign war and the shrinkage in
imports. If could, under ordinary or
FORMAL conditions of our country's
existence, give my consent to try this
most basic change of party principle
and policy. would certainly feel 1t
reckless tempting OF fate II I agreed
to an experiment in the world crisis
that Is in the balance now.
Peace sentiment-Its Popular Hold on
the People and Danger Of World
Complications.
Probably the one sentiment more
than any other act Of this administra
ton that has gained the confidence
and affection Of the American people
for the Democratic Party Is the feel
ing that 1t has kept this country al
peace.
Disregarding for the moment these
serious objections of Government own
ership. 1t looks to me like madness to
jeopardize the peace and happiness
If this Nation for an assumed and
uubtful commercial advantages.
eel that II this Government engages
low in the ocean carrying trade it il
A certain Invitation to disaster. TIC
my mind we will inevitably be entan
yled in the world conflict now raging
During our Civil War we exercised the
right Of search of vessels of friendly
Nations consigned from one neutral
port to another; but we confined that
search only to merchant vessels Of
other nations and not to naval vessels
Would ships owned and operated by
The United States Government II
lines of congested trade. but so de
ilgned in ordinary conditions to be
used as auxiliaries in the Navy-woult
those be naval ships or not? Wha
would be the status Of a merchant
marine owned and operated by the
United States Government? AS i
stands now, according to internationa
law merchant ships under convoy o.
neutral warship are exempted from
visit and search. Will the American
people think It advantageous for oul
Government to go into trade at this
time and forfeit the advantages now
enjoyed by It's naval'vessels?
At present beligerents claim th'
right to search all vessels carrying
the United States flag II. contrabant
Is suspected. The American people