Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1916-09-29
WILL THE WORKING
MAN DE DnT


who was it that stood ON the
floor of the house, and also in the
senate, and fought for hours to de-
feat the passage of this bill for the
the protection of little children? Was
it the republican members? No; it
was the great leaders of the demo-
cratic party from the South, who
were listening to the wolfish cries
of the southern cotton and silk mill
operators, who tried to prevent the
passage of this law. On the final pas
sage OF the bill in the house, on Feb
ruary Q, 1916. a total of 179 repub-
licans voted for the measure and
only one republican voted against il.
On the democratic side 1856 voted for
the bill and forty-five against it,
This record speaks for itself; and
yet, in the face OF the fact that It
was republican members of congress
who advocated the passage OF this
bill on the floor and later backed IN
their words by their votes, the demo-
cratic publicity bureau and party
leaders are trying to take ali the
credit Tor the passage of the child
labor law.
II the democratic party is SO in
terested in protecting children as it
now claims to be, why does II not
pass law prohibiting the importa-
ton of foreign child-made products
into our country? During the consid-
Grafton of the revenue measure one
OF the republican members offered
an amendment prohibiting the impor-
tation OF European child-made pro-
ducts into this country. Where did
democratic members OF this houae
these champions of the little child
rem, stand on this amendment? Every
member Of the democratic side voted
against this amendment, Now thew
are pleading for the votes of organ
lied labor on the ground that thew
are opposed to child labor.
Where did the democratic cham
pions OF the working classes stand
on the Borland rider to the legisla-
tive, executive and judicial appropri-
alton bill, which would have increas.
ed the daily working hours of gov
eminent employees and reduced their
salaries ten per cent? Did these
champions OF labor support the work
ing people during the consideration
OF the Borland rider? No; sixty-seyen
members OF Mr.. Wilson's party who
are now trying to appeal to the work
ing classes to support the democratic
party next November voted to in
crease the working hours of govern
ment employees and reduce their nav
The record also shows that only one
republican voted in the house for
the Borland rider. Yet In the face
OF these facts the democratic party
is proclaiming with a loud voice thai
It Is the champion of the laboring
people.
Let me predict that you cannot
fool the workingman voter. They
know your record. and they will not
be misled by few so-cailed labor
leaders who are trying to hold posi-
lions given them by the administra-
tion
The republican party has ALWAYS
advocated and supported good lahor
legislation. The republican party or
fginated the shorter wOrkday bv an
acting into law the bill limiting the
hours OF labor to eight hours q day
Tor all mechanics and laborers in the
navy yards and other workshops NJ
the government. It was under -.
publican administration that the
eight-hour law was amended to in
clude all employees of contractors IN
public work for the government ~
John 9. Cooper. Congressman from