The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1916-08-08
81 WRITER'S sign LETTER
Remind Candidate He Has Not
Uttered Single State
ment in Plain
English

well-known editors and writer's have
Joined in letter to Charles e. Hughes.
asking the Republican candidate a
number of questions as to what he
would have done had he been in Presi-
dent Wilson's place in the last three
years. They say:
'Mr. Wilson's beliefs have been ex-
pressed in law and in declared policies.
He has made an open record by which
he may be judged. Wise choice is not
possible unless you yourself make
equally specific statement of purposes
and convictions.
Without intent to offend, we feel
justified in charging that in no single
public utterances have you filed a
bona fide bill of particulars nor have
you offered a single constructive sug-
gestion.
"What Would You Have Done?"
Personalities are without value.
Blanket criticism is worthless. What
we desire to know, what it is fair that
the electorate should know, are the
exact details of your disagreement
with President Wilson. What has he
done that you would not have done,
and what has he failed to do what you
would have done or will do? Honesty
and patriotism demand that you put
yourself upon record in such manner
as to permit people to Judge you as
they are now able to Judge President
Wilson. For example:
Would you have filed instant pro-
test against the invasion of Belgium
and backed up that protest with the
United States navy?
at Is arrant nonsense to talk about
action that would have prevented the
Lusitania tragedy. The vague adver-
tisement did not appear until shortly
before the hour of sailing. The occur
renee was one of those things that civ
ilization has made the world regard as
incredible. Would you have made the
disaster the subject of diplomatic ne
gotiations or would you have broken
relations with Germany at once?
Attitude on Munitions
"Would you have urged upon con-
gress an embargo upon the shipment
of munitions to the allies?
"Would you urge universal compul-
sorry military service?
"You are frank in stating that Huer-
ta's morals were of no concern to
America. Does this mean that you
would have recognized Huerta?
"As matters stand today, would you
be in favor Of intervening in Mexico? !?
Does your attack upon the Wilson
shipping bill mean that you are in
favor of ship subsidies?
"You speak enthusiastically of the
fights of the worker. Does this imply
that you indorse the Clayton antitrust
law and the seamens bill? Or will
you urge their repeal?
what are your specific complaints
against the federal reserve law?
"As governor of New York you op-
, posed the income tax amendment. Does
this antagonism persist? Do you or do
you not believe in paying for prepared
| ness out of tax on incomes, inheri-
: tances and munitions?
No Time For Generaiities
( "We agree with you that il it is a
? critical period by far too critical, in
5 deed, for candidates to talk in terms
= of otticeseekmg rather than in the
. simple, earnest language of definite
Y Americansim.'
S The letter is signed by Samuel Hop
p kins Adams, Ray Stannard Baker, El
n lis Parker Butler, l.. Ames Brown
y Dante Barton. Irwin S. Cobb, Wads
g worth Camp, j. OHara Cosgrave
+ Stoughton Cooley, William l.. Chenery
George Creel, James Forbes, Freder
8 ick c, Howe, Gibson Gardner, Freder
g ick Stuart Green, Oliver Herford, Pro
L fessor Lewis Johnson, Richard Lloyd
Jones, Peter b. Kyne, Percy Mackaye
A. j. McKelway, Bacil Nenley, Mere
dith Nicholson, Albert Jay Noch, Har
8 yey j, OHiggins, Charles Johnson Poe
g Eugene Manloye Rhodes, William Nc
l. Leod Rame Boardman Robinson, John
e Reed, Opie Reed, Edgar Selwyn, Viii
= liam Leayitt Stoddard, Lincoln Stef
n fms Augustus Thomas, Frank Vroo
man and George West.