West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1916-09-21
No Party IN the History of om
Government Has Ever Before
Completed Sueh a Program of
Domestic Reform-The Demo
Gratis Have Justified Confidence

tBy w. J. Bryan In The Commonerl
The old world has seven wonders
la the United States the political
World has eleven wonders. The rec.
ord made by the present administra-
tion az the matter OF domestic reform
Is without parallel I'm the history OF
our government. Democratic Pres
ident. supported by Democratic
senate and a Democratic House has
given the country eleven splendid re-
medal measures:
First--The tarif law now upon the
statute books is the best enacted with
IN n half century. IL Ia written
upon the theory that tariff law
should be so framed as to raise reve-
nue. and not upon the theory OF Civ
ing protection for projections sake.
IL has lessened the power OF the tariff
baron to exact tribute from the pub
lie
Second-The income tax provision.
while part OF the general revenue
law, deserves to be considered upon
Its own merits. IL was made posi-.
bic by the adoption OF the income tax
amendment TO the federal constitution.
secured after a fight OF more than If
teen years. made under Democratic
leadership. The income tax I'm the
law OF 1913 transferred nearly one
hundred millions from consumption
to incomes. thus relieving the masses
from the injustice that Republican
tariff laws had put upon them. an in
justice which would still continue II
the Republicans had remained in pow
or:
Third-~The currency law is the
greatest piece Of constructive Iegisla-
ton the generation has seen. II
brings u the commercial world re-
lief sorely needed. II breaks Wall
street's despotic hold upon the busi-
ness OF the nation and the political
tyranny exercised by the masters OF
high finance
Fourth The rural credits law is
fitting companion OF the currency law
sft gives 70 the agricultural world the
same sort Of relief that the currency
law brings te the commercial world
II gives conclusive proof OF the
breadth and compresensivenes OF
Democratic plans-justIce to all In
every walk OF life.
FifthThe antitrust la~. written
upon the theory that a private monop l..
oily is indefensible and intoierable. T.
the first step towards the release OF
the country from the great combina.
tions of capital that had assumed To
control production and fix prices. II
not only gives a measure OF relief from
trust extortion. but IL includes a pro-
vision which protects the working
men from government by injunc-
ton
6lsih The act creating trade
commission, exercising over big indus
trlals corporations powers similar to
those exercised over the railroads by
the Interstate Commerce Commission.
puts the federal government in a po-
sition, first. to secure information.
and second. to use that information
for the protection of legitimate bust
ness against the encroachments OF
corporations attempting a monopoly
Seventh--The shipping bill Is an
other step in advance, and a long
step It's purpose is TO protect inter-
national trade along existing trade
routes and to lay out new lines of
travel for the extension OF American
commerce. II took a two-years' fight
TO overcome the influence Of the ship
ping trust, but the fight has at last
been won, and the government is now
I'm n position to use a merchant ma
rlne Of its own to safeguard the
interests OF the American shipper.
Eighth-The child labor law has
come In response to the growing de-
mand for social betterment The fact
that such a law was necessary is a
SD commentary upon the heartless,
mass of man-that he should become
80 money-mad as TO be willing to in
crease his profits by the stunting OF
the bodies and the dwarhng OF the
minds OF minors. The Democratic
party deserves great credit for add
ing this law to its extraordinary rec
ord Of great accomplishments.
Ninth The Presidents prompt ac-
iion has Riven to the employees en-
gagged IN interstate commerce an g.
hour day. Again the President has
taken the side Of the common man and
won. The railroads overstate the cost
Of complying with the s-hour law.
They delay freight trains at divisions
in order TO get bigger loads and long
or trains. This Is an expense TO the
shippers as well a. an injustice to
The trainmen. They can, when Il be-
comes necessary. get the trains In on
time. aud thus give the employees time
Tor rest and recuperation-time TO en-
fnv home and prepare for the respon-
ibntlcs 0f citizenship. The Pfesi-
dent has acted courageously. and the
rouutry wili approve
Tenth The Philippine bill, while
fsling Wifh an international matter,
q doraesiio In that II not only an
sauacea national policy. but also
PROMISES 20 safeguard domestic poIl-
trn from the disturbing influence Of
ealonial questions. Eighteen years
sso When imperialism FIRST raised lts
bead. Ire Democrats IN the Senate
vere qalck 70 strike a. u with ths