The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1916-05-11


to What DO the People Want?" as
it pertains to better business meth
DDS, better commercial conditions,
more scientific knowledge anu a
place where we may so to lodge our
complaint or present our inquiry.
Again, the people got what they
wanted, and President Wilson was re-
sponsible. Every voter should know
of the efficient work being done by
this commission and the wonderful
possibilities before it. Every demo-
crat should know of it, and tell other
debt they owe this administration
than, because of lack of informa-
ton on the subject, vote against the
administration and thereby seem to
disapprove Of such measures.
Election OF Senators.
The people wanted the election of
senators by direct vote that they
might have real voice in the cleo
ton of these representatives of the
people rather than leave their selec-
ton to the old method of log rolling,
bribery and deals. Notwithstanding
years of agitation and repeated de-
mands they did not get their wish
under republican administration, but
President Wilson gave it to them at
once. Another case of giving the peo-
pie what they want and lodging the
power of self government in the
hands of the people.
The people wanted a parcel post
law that the enormous profits and eX-
tOrtionS OF the express companies
might be done away with. 1t seemed
impossible to get this from republic
can congress, but it did not take long
to get it from democratic congress
because a democratic congress was
anxious to give the people what they
wanted.
Many more laws could be review
ed, but surely these are sufficient to
prove the devotion of President Will
son to the policy of giving the peo-
pie what they want. He has proven
himself, and no voter who has care
fully reviewed what has been accom-
plished and who fully understands
how these reforms affect him in his
every day life, can have anything but
commentator for President Wilson
and his administration.
Other Laws Wantaed
The people have not as yet, how
ever, secured all they want. Many
more reforms and progressive meas
ures are desired, and we must deter
mine now whether past performance
counts for or against man in our
political life as in our personal bust
ness matters. No farmer needing the
services of hired man would dis
charge one who had performed ev-
eery duty we'll, who had shown devo-
ton to his employers every interest,
who had given the farmer just the
service he had asked for, and hire
over again a workman he had once
had in his employ and discharged be-
cause he had not made good. He
would stick to the man whom he had
tried and found true.
No manufacturer would discharge
competent salesman, one who had
given excellent service, performed
every duty called for in their contract
and more, and hire another man be-
cause he was loud talker ana claim
ed to cover lot of territory. No, not
voter do this if he knew the facts,
vote tickets, they vote for parties,
they vote preJudices, they do not scan
carefully the performances of public
men. 1t is a big task to be informed
on these matters. Most of us are
busy with our every day affairs and
while these governmental matters af-
feet us very directly every day, they
some way seem for off from us. Our
country is large, the problems are in
volved, but it is your duty and mine,
first as American citizens with the
love OF country, in our hearts and
second as democrats to see that the
people do know. We do not need to
talk socalled politics, just every day
common sense. Determine whether,
under this party or under that party
we are getting laws along the lines
Of our desires and our needs.
The people are demanding yet
more advance along the line of bene-
fetal legislation. Each one should
stop and ask, What Do the People
Want?"
Tariff Commission
The people want non-partisan
tariff commission. A really non-par-
tisan commission. They want the
tariff taken out of politics. Too long
have they been confused and mislead
over the tariff as party issue and
they are tired. Already there has
been introduced by this administra-
ton a non-partisan tariff commission
bill, contemplating commission of
six members-not more than three
from any one party. Note that it is
not four from the side of the party
in power but both sides evenly repre-
sented. Does that not show good
faith. We cannot forecast what
republican administration might do.
Likely nothing, judging from past
performance. But if they passed
tariff commission bill, would your
guess not be that there would be sew
en- members, four from the republi-
can side and three from the demo-
cratic side? That might be a repub-
lican view of a non-partisan commits
sion but all will agree that commits
sion made up one-half from each side
is more fair and shows the good faith
of the democrats.
Rural Credits
The need Of some properly work