The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1916-06-23
THE ISSUES

The issues before the American
people in this campaign succinctly
stated are: Progressive, constructive
remedial legislation and policies
peace with national honor, and clear
ly defined future policy, versus re-
action, inefficacy, special privilege,
neglect of public interest, war blus-
ter and an indefinite and evasive pol
icy for the future.
In three years of Democratic con-
troll of the Government President
Wilson's administration and the Con-
gress have eXemplihed the party's
progressive spirit, its constructive
ability and craftsmanship, the rene
dial and wholesome character of the
legislation it has accomplished and
has in course of accomplishment, and
the wise and firm policy of the Pres
ident in meeting the gravest and
most delicate questions of foreign
diplomacy with which this govern
ment has ever been confronted. These
facts are of such recent date and so
fresh in the minds of the people that
it ought not to be necessary to men
ton them, but we are so apt to over
look causes that make for the general
good, that we have to be reminded of
them lest we forget. What are some
of the constructive and beneficent leg
islative acts that the Democratic ad-
ministration has given the country?
First, let us take the tariff, as pro-
tective tariff is the chief corner stone
Upon which the Republican party is
based; everything else in its articles
perhaps we should say arti,le-of
faith is subservient. True TO its con-
victions and promises, the Democrats
repealed the Payne-Aldrich tariff law,
the most obnoxious and discriminating
of all preceding tariff measures, and
gave the country tariff law based
upon revenue for the government in
stead of discriminating in favor OF
special interests. 1t was no easy task
to set aside mistaken policy that
had been in practice for half CEN
tury and TO enact a law along indis-
eliminate lines without disturbing
business conditions that had been built
up and fostered under false system
of political economy, but this the pres
ent administration accomplished in the
face Of the iercest opposition and
protests of the beneficiaries Of that
system. 1t may be that the Under
wood tariff law is little defective
here and there, as no human law is
perfect, but the Democratic party
stands pledged to remedy any appar-
ent defect through expert and non-par-
tisan investigation, instead of at the
instance and demand of organized in
terests seeking special privileges not
extended to business concerns in gen
eral.
One provision of the Underwood
Tariff law the Republican party did
not dare oppose in its platform-the
income tax feature-nor did it have
the courage or sincerity to commend
this Just and wholesome system which
places upon the unco wealthy and
prosperous tax somewhat in proper
ton to the protection which the gov
eminent affords them and their large
investments and holdings, and lifts
some of the burden of taxation from
the shoulders of the struggling masses
of our people. All previous legisla-
ton of the Republican party placed
the greater burden of the govern
ment's support upon the lahorers, con-
structural and agricultural, of the
country; and although that party was
in power for nearly fifty years it new
err attempted to place tax on pluto
cratic wealth-for the men of big in
comes directed and controlled its pol
icies.
Then followed that great piece of
financial legislation, the
Reserve banking law. The
DID National Bank system, the pride
and pet of the Republican party,
if not from its very in
,eption encouraged the big banking
Institutions of New York to centralize
he control of the money circulation