The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-04-12

CIAttV 1T u time lihG TINS WHICH AhG
situation is undergoing constant
change. who could have foreseen
IN 1912 the problems with which the
Administrations has had to deal? And
who could have predicted a year ago
the changes which have taken place
In the opinions of men within the
last twelve months? The qualifying
phrase, other things being equal" ar
fords some protection, as other things
are never equal forecasts are always
subject 20 discount. II the campaign
of 1915 could be fought upon the
psrtys remarkable record of achieve
ment a Democratic victory ought to
be reasonably sure; but even then, it
would be necessary to remember that
we won I'm 1912 not because our arty
secured a majority of the votes cast.
but because the opposition was divided
into two almost equal factions.
There are three factors which must
be taken into consideration in our cal
Culations respecting the outcome OF
the presidential election OF 1915:
first, the impression made by the do
mestic policies of the administration;
second. the impression made by the
foreign policies of the administration,
and, third, the unity or lack of unity
in the Republican party,
The Democratic party can with con-
fdencc submit it's claims upon a num-
Der of important reforms.
A Number of Important Reforms.
First: The popular election of SEN
ators This il a reform of the first
magnitude; a reform In the methods
of government which could not nave
been achieved a few centuries ago
without vast bloodshed. The Demo
cratic party began the fgLt for this
reform In Congress In 1892; 1t en-
bodied q demand for II in it's plat
form in 1900, 1904 and In 1908. and
In 1912 endorsed the amendment
which was then before the states for
| ratification The Republican party
never endorsed this reform in amy
| platform prior to its submission, and
as late as 1908 overwhelmingly de-
! feated a resolution approving H. The
| people ought to give the Democratic
party credit for thus opening the way
| to other reforms.
Second. The Democratic party re-
| formed the rules of Congress and gave
! to the House OF Representatives real
representative government. The peo-
| pie ought TO give to the party credit
for this reform also.
Third. The Democratic party re-
duced the tariff and put upon the
statute books the best revenue law
which the country has had IN hfty
years. The tariff law included all In
come tax and the Democratic party
! can claim credit not only for the In
come tax law. but also for the fact
that the constitution has been so
amended as to authorize an income
tax In 1904 democratic congress
enacted an income tax law, but the
law was declared unconstitutional by
a divided court one judge changing
his mind between two hearings OF the
case The Democratic party then pro-
ceeded to agitate for an amendment
to the constitution, specifically au-
thortEinK an iHcome tax, and, while
the necessary amendment was sub
mitted under a Republican admins
tration, ii came as a result of Demo-
cratic lahors and was really sub
mitted for the purpose of preventing
an income tax. The Republican
leaders who assisted In securing the
submission OF the amendment did II
to defeat bill providing for an in
come tax and did not expect the
amendment TO be ratified; they were
caught In their own trap.
\ Democratic Achievement.
Fourth: The Democratic party Is
entitled to credit for the new currency
law. The Republicans had talked cur
rency reforms for twenty years, but
did nothing; the Democrats went to
work and brought about n change
which gives us the best currency law
we have ever had. 1t vindtcates the
right of the government 10 issue
paper money; it destroys the mon
<opoly which the na3anai hanks have
held of favor from the federal gov
eminent: 1t takes from Wall street it's
controlling influence as money cen
MI -. RTn ri y
centers In different parts OF the coun-
try. all linked together at Washington
and controlled by responsible govern
ment officials The Democratic party
has right to expect gratitude from
the business world. which has been
released from the grip Of the money
trust, and from the political world,
which has been set free from the
tyranny OF few money magnates.
Fifth: The Democratic party de-
serves credit for having entered upon
n program which eontemplates the
complete overthrow of the princi-
pie of private monopoly; 1t has
already made start and is
building upon the only sure
foundation, namely, that private
monopoly Is indefensihle and intoi-
cradle Its services ought to be ap-
preciated by the smaller corporations
which find an added sense of security
in the antitrust laws already passed.
Sixth The Democratic party de
serves credit for the enactment Of
the long promised measure giving to
the Philippines the promise of indie
pendence, thus answering the charges
that have been made against our ma
tional purpose and restoring to us
freedom to proclaim 70 the world the
doctrine that governments derive the'r
Just powers from the consent of the
governed and not from superior force
Seventh: These are some of the sub
stantial results of harmonious CO.
operation between a Democrats
President, a Democratic Senate and
a Democratic House. During the &C
complishment OF these domestic re
forms the administration has been
dealing with diplomatic problems ~
great delicacy. 1t deserves credit for
having registered the demands of
those who tried to force the govern
ment into intervention in Mexico. The
policy Of ''watchful waiting" has
saved US untold loss In life and
money, and IL is not improbable that
by refusing to intervene this nation
escaped the awful responsibility OF
starting the European war.
Has Kept the Peace M: