Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-07-28

adhered 70 them with determination,
/ TeSOlutely and without compromise.
/ The Wilson administration is clean.
! Its record for honesty and fidelity is
absolutely beyond attack and above re
proach. 1t compares favorably in this
/ important respect with any previous
administration which our government
has ever had.
/ 1T has faithfully responded to the
Hottest requirements of American
honor. 1t has stood high above the
SOrdid considerations of mere dollar
! turning and dollar making CONNER
Cialism and materialism and actualiZed,
at all times. the precepts of true pa
4 triOtism and genuine American loyal
/ ~ TO the constitution, the laws Of the
/ land, the laws of humanity and the
flag of the nation.
This will be the undiSputed and the
unchallenged verdict of history on the
moral purpose, conduct and effect of
/ the Wilson administration.
In actual national performance it
/ has been constructive in its scope and
character and policy. 1t gave to the
nation the federal reserve act, the new
I currency systematic Wilson system
I the scheme of regulating and running
the finances Of the country, keeping
the bankers out of the governing and
the government out of the banking
/ business and yet giving the nation a
+ flexible currency adequate TO meet all
of the demands of business and en-
abling it to avert the disastrous recur-
renee Of periodical financial panics.
This one act alone saved this cOun-
try from ruin and devastation in the
recent critical period of sensitive and
over-excited nerve in the financial
world.
1T is the greatest piece of cOnStruc-
tive financial Legislation which history
! records in the western hemisphere. Its
benefits are of incalculable worth. The
federal reserve act alone has made
the Wilson administration a good in
vestment for the American people from
/ a mere financial as well as from higher
points of view. But this is only a sin
gle one of the many good things that
has been achieved.
The Wilson administration adopted
an equitable, scientific and an eco
nomicaIy correct system of raising
revenue necessary for the support of
the government, based on ability to pay
and on privileges enjoyed instead of
! being based on consumption of the
necessities of life and levying a tariff
TO benefit certain favored individuals
Its latest stroke of achievement is
to take the perpleXing tariff question
out of politics forever, by creating a
tariff commission, which will be
charged with the duty of doing sys-
tematic and efficient research work in
tariff regulation.
Its recommendations to congress
. will be based on the necessities and
requirements of business rather than
on political expediency, or corrupt
bargaining and bartering.
Its work will make breeding
tariffs a thing of the past and the tar
if baron a bogy OF history. Notwith-
. standing the disturbed economic con-
ditiOns brought on by the war, the Will
son policies have been indicated. They
have stood the test of severe trial and
bitter experience and commend them
! selves to the judgment of all disinter-
ested men for their sanity, their wis
dom. their fearIessness and their pro-
/ gressfve and constructive democracy.
The income tax is one of these bene-
fiCient and progressive measures. Call
the roster of those who criticiSe Will
sons Mexican policy, or his other for
eign policies, or the tariff, or the presi-
/ dents failure to declare war on some
| body's or procure more battleships or
! a larger army and in nine cases out OF
ten you will find a malcOntent, mil
( lionaire, a miser, or a feaster of preda-
tory wealth and precious privilege who
is hit pretty hard by the democratic
income tax.
The income tax is the most equi-
table system of taxation ever devised
by the brain of man, because it de-
mands most from those who have most
and enjoy most of inherited wealth
and unearned increment. 1t has been
| adopted by all the great civilized ma
I tons of the earth.
The democratic administration at
/ Washington has not only dealt in fair
ness, uprightness and progressive in
sight and foresight with the business
/ interest of the country, but it ha given
a square deal to the workngmen.
1T has given them representation
/ in the cabinet and it has respected
their wishes on matters of important
! legislation.
/ The government has stood ready to
move along progressive lines at all
| times, as exempIified in the creation
| of the federal trade commission. the
building of the Alaskan railway by gov
ornamental action, the encouragement
/ of trade and shipping and the reestab-
/ lishment of our merchant marine
! through direct gOveTnm entail inter
vention, investment and action.
| THE agricultural credit bill just
signed by President Wilson is another
piece of progressive legislation that
must endear the present administra-
/ ton to the farmers of the nation. I'm
der this beneficient act the farmer is
released from the exactiOns of the
| loan shark and will be enabled on good
! security to borrow at four per cent the
money needed for work capital.
The Wilson administration will go
down to posterity as one of the most
conscientious and progressive in Amer
! lean history.
Il believe sincerely he will be re-
| elected president Of the United States
on the seventh day of November next,
by a decisive majority of the SURFACES
OF the American people. can not be
Iinvn that the people are inapprecia-