The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1916-09-28
THE DEMOCRATIC RECORD

With the adjournment of Congress
the Democratic record upon which
Woodrow Wilson will make his bid
for reelection is virtually complete
says the Pittsburgh Gazette Times.
editoriglly, in its issue of last Satur-
day. 1t is. in fact, the personal record
of Mr.. Wilson as administrator of the
government of the nation. Properly
it will be the subject of close scrutiny
between now and November 7. In it
will be found whatever of justification
there may be for retaining Mr.. Wilson
in office ami the Democratic party in
power. The party must uphold it and
defend it. Assuredly that is some Job
Passing by foreign relations for the
time being, IN all charity, how have
Mr.. Wilson and his party served the
nation in domestic administration and
legislation? They came into power on
a pledge to conduct the government
| economically. The first Democratic
Congress increased the expenses OF
government $l7T 900, 900 above the
amount which the last Republican Con
gress Z had found sufficient for the
country's needs. The Congress lust
closed, which was absolutely domi-
| mated by the President, was even more
eXtrayagant, its appropriations mount
ing to nearly two billions. Excluding
the extraordinary appropriations for
preparedness for defense, the expenses
of government were increased $l40,-
| 000 600 over the stupendous amount APP
propriated by the preceding Congress.
In thrusting on the country impractical
and socialistic schemes of governmental
| activities in competition with private
| enterprise, the Democrats have added
prodigiously to the payroll and have
taken over 500, 10000 from the treas
ury for class benefit with the sole OBJ
ject of winning votes from the bene-
| ticiares of their Encouragement.
How has the country Jared in the
provisions made for paying these IN
necessarily swollen bills? In peace the
Democrats have resorted to direct taxes
that should be reserved for times of
emergency. Nor have they been practi-
cal or fair in their levies. Income taxes
have been increased. but the imposts
have not been distributed over a larger
number of people able to pay. In
| heritance, a proper subject of taxation
by the states, have been levied on by
the national government Munitions of
war, which can yield anything only 50
long as the European war lasts and
| therefore are not dependable for re-
plenishing the treasury, have been tax
ed. There are new corporation taxes.
which are unjust since they are unneces-
| sary burdens upon industry and enter
prise. The means of providing all the
money required. for the ordinary ex
| penses of government economically ad-
| ministered are to be found in tariff on
imports. But this the Democrats re-
| jected. 1t is common knowledge that
the Underwood law was failure as a
revenue raiser and that under its opera
tons the country was facing industrial
ruin when the war interviewed to give
US an artificial prosperity that must end
with the coming of peace in Europe.
The Democrats, to save the treasury
from bankruptcy, had to repeal their
free sugar provision. And they have,
for politicallpurposes only, assented to
measure of protection for some
! American industries. But they have