The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1916-10-05
Child Labor Law.

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
sad commentary upon the heartless-
ness of man-that he should become
SO money-mad as to be willing to in
crease his profits by the stunning Of
bodies and the dwarfing of minds of
minors. The democratic party de-
serves great credit for adding this
law to its extraordinary record of
great accomplishments.
Justice to Railroad Men.
Ninth: The eight hour day for
railroad employees engaged in inter-
state commerce. This law, enacted
just when congress was about to ad-
jOurn was an act of justice to the
men Immediately benefited and will,
as an example, be of great service to
all wage earners.
Tenth: The Philippine bill, while
dealing with an international matter,
is domestic in that it not only an
nounces national policy, but also
promises to safeguard domestic poll
tics from the disturbing influence of
colonial questions. Eighteen years
ago when Imperialism first raised It's
head, the democrats in the senate
were quick to strike at it with the
Bacon resolution, which declared
against colonial policy and gave the
FilipinOs promise of ultimate indie
pendence. Every platform written by
the democratic party of the nation
since that time has repeated this
pledge and now, to the honor of the
nation, and to the credit of the dem
ocratic party, the platform pledge has
been fulfilled, and the promise of III
innate independence given. Our ma
ton has thus shown itself able to re-
sist the temptation before which
monarchies have fallen, namely the
temptation to exercise powers in vio-
latiOn of, the principles of self-gOv-
eminent.
Reference to Peace Treaties.
Eleventh: The list of the admins
tration's accomplishments can not
be fairly concluded without reference
to the thirty peace treaties. negotiat-
ed during the first two years of the
administration, with nations exercis-
ing authority over 1,3OO,O00,O00 of
people, or three-fourths of the world.
In addition to the thirty nations
which have signed treaties, three 9TH.
ers with combined population of
more than 100,00O,000 have endors-
ed the principles embodied in the
treaty plan, so that today there are
less than five nations with any con-
siderable population which have de-
clined to approve of this plan and
three of these have been prevented
by controversies still unsettled.
"These thirty treaties contain
three provisions new to treaty max
ing. First-They cover all questions
of every kind and character and pro-
vide that such disputes, when they
defy diplomatic settlement, shall be
submitted to an international tribun-
al for Investigation and report. Sec
Ond-A years time shall be allow
ed for investigation and report, dur
ing which there shall. be no resort to
force. Third-The parties reserve
the right to independent action at the
conclusion of the investigation. 1t is
believed that these provisions will,
by insuring time for an anger to, SUBJ
side, provide opportunity for ques-
tons of fact to be separated from
questions of honor, and chance for
the peace forces of the world to OPP
crate, make war between the con-
tracing parties remote possibility.
These treaties not only give that ma
peace, but they insure peace at |
to work out its domestic problems
and set an example worthy of emula-
ton by the rest of the world.
1.0 - -.
short time, present and complete
SO remarkable program for the adj
vancementt of nations welfare. Is
it possible that a party which has
thus justified public confidence can
be rebuked by the people to whose
interests it has dedicated itself?
Mexican Question.
"The president inherited the Mexi-
can situation from the Taft admins
tration Huerta seized the govern
ment of Mexico in February, 1913,
before President Wilson took the
oath of Office. BY an act of high trea-
son which would have cost him his |
life in any civilized country, he made
a prisoner of President Madero under
whom he served and either caused or
allowed him to be put to death while |
a prisoner. The president did right
in refusing to recognize Huerta and
an overwhelming majority of the
American people supported him in his |
refusal The president has also re-
fused to intervene in Mexico. The
big American property holders want
in order to increase the |
value Of their property, but why
should the people who are content
to invest their money in the United
States furnish the blood and money |
with which to guarantee profits to
capitalists who go abroad to make |
money merely because they are not
content with the dividends which
they can securesin this county? In