The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1916-02-18

the Second Rhode Island Congressional
District, in letter addressed to a Re
publican registration meeting, and reau
on February 7th, at the Crown Hote.
in Providence, discussed some phases
of the situation in Washington, as
follows:
Il know that you and your guests
realize that we are passing through d
crisis in our own, as well as i'll the
worlds history, and that public Officials
who are charged with the responsibii
ity of meeting and solving the grea,
problems that confront our Nation
nave task that requires and demands
the most serious deliberation, high anu
patriotic motives, and the wisest pos
sible action.
LAS member Of the minority OF the
House feel the weight OF this respon
sibility as greatly as though l were oi
the majority party. For 1t is apparent
that il our country is to be put in a
state Of proper preparedness against
invasion or aggression, or for the pur-
pose even OF enforcing our rights in
accordance with international law, the
support of Republicans In Congress Is
indispensable to such plan. And when
it comes to a question Of national hon
or, OF upholding the principles upon
which this Government was founded
and which are necessary for its per
petuity, and of defending the nation,
Republicans now, as ever, know no
party lines.
,hn uit 10
unique. Opposition to the Presidents S
policies within his own party is pro
nounced and irrecOncilable-nota alone
on the question of preparedness, but Oh
the tariff commission bill and other
matters. The Democrats in the House
are pulling, not together, but many diff
terent ways, to the point OF demoraliza
ton. They are like sheep without a
shepherd. At this time, when great re-
sponsibility is resting upon them, this
Is deplorable from the standpoint OF
patriotism.
I'm marked contrast is the unity of
purpose of Republicans. Indeed, one
unfamiliar with the true conditions
might suppose that We and our able
leader were in control We know where
we stand and we have the confidence
and hope that are born of high purpose
and resolve.
1.-The corrallary to preparedness is
the question OF raising revenue. The
stamp tax law, which the Democrats
extended for another year, would be
unnecessary II We had protective
tariff that would at once and the same
time encourage and build domestic in
dustries and raise revenue. Such law
while insufficient alone for ordinary ex
penses (now $100,000.000 I'M excess OF
receipts), would render unnecessary di
rect and brudensome taxation of the
people and would make easier of SO
luton the problem of paying for pre-
paredness. The stamp tax revenue, fol
which the failure of the Underwood
! Tariff Law, and not the European War
| is responsible has proven insufficient
even for the current expenses of run
ming the Government. The war has
made little or no differ ence in import.
from abroad. This last December the!
were $57,000,000 greater than a yea
ago, and only $12,000,000 less than IL
December. 1913, when they reached tn,
highest mark in our history. Yet tn
customs revenues fell off and are fall
ing. No, the war is not the answer
The answer is that 70 per cent. of al
imports are on the free list, and tn
duties levied on the other % per cen
duties which the Underwood Law GU
to tAa bone--are not enough by man
millions 10 help the Treasury out
Hence. a deficit Of 800 900 600, plus d
rect taxes. Hence, also, the dilemm
Of our Democratic friends in dealin
with the preparedness program. o
course, the Southern Democrats, mos
Of whom are opposing any plan OF pre-
paredness, favor increased income taa
alton because they pay very little o
II as compared with Rhode Island o
other New England States or New
York, whence comes the bulk of tn
revenue from incomes.
And they are afraid of bond issue
Panama Canal bonds or any other kind
But. IL We are to prepare against inva
sion, IL we are to have first clas
Navy, serviceable and efficient FORTH
cations, and an Army of respectabl,
proportions, we and our posterity hav,
got to pay for such proper protection
apd II seems to me that the suggestion