West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1916-08-24
Splendid Record OF the Administra-
tion Upheld by Speaker Champ
Clark-Says the Republican Can
didate for President is Having
Rough Shedding


accomplishments OF the adminlstra
tion and Congress under the leader.
ship OF President Wilson. He alsc
criticised the speeches OF Charles 10
Hughes.
Mr.. Clark said In part: MIR
Hughes has made enough speeches I'm
this campaign to enable Intelligent
persons TO form something approxi-
mating correct Judgment as to his
opinions on current issues. lie has
shot his bolt but has failed to hit the
bulls eye.
1t was universally conceded by
both friend and foe that his speech at
Youngstown, o., I'm 1908 was far and
away the greatest Republican speech
made that year. Comparing his
speeches since he was nominated for
President with his strong Youngstown
speech. one is forced inevitably TO one
OF two conclusions: First, that his pon
and tongue have lost their cunning
measurably; or second. that he has
nothing worth while TO urge against
Democratic accomplishments or TO
propose as Republican policies. should
the Republicans. by some miracle, win
the House. the Senate and the Presi-
dency.
His speeches may be not unfairly
summed us as 'querulous carpings' at
the splendid record OF Democratic
Congress and Democratic admins
tration. Here and there out OF a vast
multitude OF things he finds a few of
minor character which he deems un-
satisfactory to him--whlch even II
wrong-have no more to do with the
tremendous problems with which n
mighty people are wrestling than have
the potato vines OF Aroostook county,
Me-. TO do with the majestic flow of the
Mississippi river
1T Is not within the power of MIR
Hughes or am other complaining ora
tor to make national Issue for in
| stance OF the removal of Dana Du-
rant as head OF the census bureau any
more than he can make national is
sue of who fred the EphesIan Dome,
or who struck Billy Patterson, or who
was the man In the iron mask.
He says that he is In favor OF 'un-
diluted Amerlcanism.' SO are we all.
God be pralsedl He is not peculiar I'm
that respect. The vast mass of tho
American people-men and women
are too busy working at what the
Germans denominate the bread and
butter sciences to make elaborate
speeches vaunting their 'undiluted
Americanism,' but the average Ameri-
can citizen-and after all the average
American citizen constitutes the
strength and glory of the republic
Is as patriotic as Charles Evans
Hughes, Woodrow Wilson or any other
bigwig I'm the land. There is not one
American citizen. native born or nat
uralized, In one hundred who would
fail the country should the supreme
test come.
Perhaps President Wilson has
made some mistakes Perhaps the
Democratic Congress has made some.
II is safe to say that there never was
President or Congress that did not
make mistakes and there never will
be-simply because we are all human.
Any astronomer with an adequate
telescope can find spots on the sun;
but nevertheless and Notwithstanding
the sun continues to shine and warm
and fructify the earth
"Mr. Hughes with his telescope is
hunting for spots on the Democratic
administration and the Democratic
Congress. but the people realize that
we have the most unbounded prosper
ity that has blessed the land since
Christopher Columbus discovered
America and that. Notwithstanding
the ancient and chronic sneer OF the
Republicans that we possess no power
Of constructive statesmanshlp. we
have in three and half years placed
upon the statute books more con
structive, remedial legislation than
the Republicans did in twenty years
laws which should have been pass
ed four decades ago. They are like
ly 20 conclude 10 let we'll enough
alone and to continue the Democrats
in power"
Speaker Clark here enumerated
Some Of the things we have done"
with the remark that factions speak
louder than words" His list included
the tarin bill with its new income tax
feature, national reserve bank act.
antitrust law, trades commission.
rural credits and good roads bills and
the constitutional amendment author
izing election OF United states sena-
tors by popular vote.
What has been done for the defense
Of the country and for the Iaboring
man were also referred TO, and in
closing the Speaker said. 'gThe
chances are the voters OF America
Will act on the sage dictum of Abra-
ham Lincoln. that qt is unwIse TO
swap horses while crossing the
stream
The people seem to have absolute
confidence IN the pilot OF the ship Of