The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1916-09-26
BROKEN PLEDGES


In the final analysis parties, like
individuals, must stand or fall on
their record and reputation for hon.
esty, steadfastness, and sincerity. To
warrant or retain confidence and sup
port their acts must square with their
promises and professions. Judged by
that standard, which is the unchang
ing and immutable law, the Demo
cratic party as now constituted, or
ganized, and Differed must fall.
The very candidacy OF their leader
is an indictment OF good faith Pres
ident Wilson was nominated in 1912
on a solemn pledge given on his be-
half by his party and accepted by
him of a single term for the Presl'
dency. On that pledge he and his
party sought the support of the Am
erican people and in the reputation
of that pledge in President Wilson's
denomination all who are a party to
1t stand condemned out of their own
mouths and on their solemn declara-
tons OF reputation and insincerity
in matter of the highest moment.
The Democratic party pledged and
promised a free canal at Panama for
American shipping. They repudiated
that pledge at the behest of the Pres
ident under circumstances that gave
grounds for strong suspicion that
the reputation was pant and parcel
OF a secret understand fling which bar
tered American rights in Panama for
a free hand in an indefensible pro-
gram in Mexico.
The Democratic party and admins
tration pledged the country faithful
administration of the civil service
law. They have flagrantly and out
rageously ignored and violated that
pledge in taking hundreds of lucra-
tive positions from civil service and
in the exemption from civil service
OF thousands of new places which
have been created.
The Democratic party and admin
istration solemnly pledged the Amer
lean people that in the filling OF pub.
lie Offices merit and ability should be
the standards rather than service
rendered to political party. They
have spurned and repudiated, ignored
and trampled upon that declaration
by the most unconscionable trafiick-
ing in public Offices as political re-
wards known to our history. The
highest officials of the administration
have been the worst offenders in
this prostitution OF public office to
political ends. The late Secretary
OF State proffered an embassadorial
appointment to pay political debt
with notice that no serious or i'm
portant service need be performed.
He stands convicted under his own
signature as seeker of public jobs
to reward deserving Democrats, in
Guiding several members OF his own
family.
That the Democratic claim of fol.
lowing the rules OF civil service in
the appointment of fourth class post
masters is a piece Of shameless hy-
pocrisy is notorious in communities
in which there have been contests
for such offices between Republicans
and Democrats. do not criticize the
appointment of Democrats as fourth
class postmasters. do denounce the
hypocrisy which attempts to mas
querade a purely political system OF
appointments as civil service sys-
TEN.
The Democratic party and the ad
ministration while accusing Repub.
licans of criminal extravaganza, made
no earnest effort at retrenchment,
but increased the public expenditures
in the first Congress under their
administration by more than S1l2,.
100000 above those OF the Congress
which preceded 1t The present con.
gress has boosted expenditures, ex-
elusive of those properly chargeable
to preparedness. s2O0,000,0O0 more or
$312, 100000 exclusive of preparedness
more than the Congress they charg.
ed with criminal extravaganza.