The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1916-06-15
DEMOCRATIC VOTERS
WANT FACTS

THE washed SOW has returned to
her wallow," says a prominent Demo-
cratic newspaper in discussing an
election in Pennsylvania.
While that is o as elegant an ex-
preston as the leader of the Demo-
cratic party would probably use, yet
il is not far removed from President
wilson's recent description of his APP
pointees who do not grow but swell
until he would like to prick them but
for the noxious gases which would
make it advisable to stand from un-
der. However, laying aside any con-
troversy as to the elegance of the die
ton, it is typical logic for the Demo-
cratic leaders. but not at all the kind
of logic desired by the rank and file
of the Democratic party. 1t is not
the sort of language or logic most
Democrats will approve. In Pennsyl-
yania, as elsewhere, Democrats and
Republicans live side by side. They
maintain relations of true neighbor-
illness. They were educated in the
same schools, they attend the same
churches and lodges, they willingly
help each other in case of adversely,
and, when life's course has been run,
they manifest they personal regard
by participating in the last sad rites
in the country churchyard.
They differ in political beliefs, it is
true, just as they differ in religious
beliefs. But when the election has
gone Republican, the Democratic
members of the community do not re-
turn to their firesides with the cheer
less news that "the washed SOW has
returned to her wallow." They neither
say it mol think it. Such language
and such thoughts are the peculiar
possession of the party leaders who
now misrepresent and usually have
misrepresented the real thought and
opinion of the men and women who
make up the party strength. 1t is not
surprising, therefore, that highmind-
ed men so frequently refuse to follow
the party leadership and prefer to
vote some other ticket. For that rea-
son, largely, the Democratic party has
been placed in power only three times
in flfty-six years, and has never been
given the endorsement of a re-elec-
ton.
There are certain facts concerning
which the thinking lei in the Demo
cratic party would like some deinite
information from their reputed lead
ers. 1t is information TO which they.
as American citizens as well as Dem
ocrats, are entitled. 1t is information
which they must have if they are 20
form sound conclusions upon the vi
tai issues IN American government.
The leaders will have plenty to oc:I-
Ply their attention if they will give ali
their time to the presentation of facts.
For instance, the Democratic lead
ers have never yet offered to tGe
members of their party any explana-
ton, satisfactory or otherwise, for the
industrial depression that followed
the enactment Of the tariff law watch
threw III markets open to the pro-
ducts of cheap labor in Europe ana
Asia. 1t is true that Senator New
lands of Nevada, Democrat, has prao
tically Admired that the depression
was caused by Democratic legislation.
but he car scarcely be classed as a
leader" in the sense of power over
party affairs.
For other illustrations of matters
upon which the voters of the Dem
cratic party would like informatil
may be mentioned the e%xtravagant
appropriations which have been con-
demned by such Democrats as Fitz-
gerald of New York and Tillman of
South Carolina. Decentralization of the
postal service, overthrow of the merit
system, violation of campaign pledges,
vacillation and weakness in foreign
affairs, refusal to maintain the rights
of American citizens in Mexico-these
and numerous other subjects are oc-
cupying the thoughts of the rank and
file of the Democratic party and in
formation upon them is desired
rather than repulsive remarks about
washed sow returning to their wal
lows Or appointees swelling with nox-
ious gases.