The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1916-09-01
OBSERVING DEMOCRATS

ES&uNhtNN S@bSStVlV
VIM. j. Bryan, I'm CommOnerl
Now that you have arrived
and are acquainted yourself with
the situation, can you let me
know what positions you have at
your disposal with which to re-
ward deserving democrats? /
do not know to what extent the
knowledge of the Spanish langu-
age is necessary for employees.
Let me know what is requisite,
together with the salary, and
when appointments are likely to
be made"
The above is the letter which
wrote to Mr.. Wick the receiver of Gus
toms at San Domingo Read it care
fully. Sean each sentence, examine
each word, each syllable. Mr.. Hughes
once governor of New York, after
wards justice of the Supreme Court
and now republican candidate for
President, thinks it important enough
to quote in his campaign speeches
He is so indignant. so mortified, that
he asks: Should not every American
hang his head in shame, that such a
thing should occur in our highest de-
partment of government?
l, alone, am responsible for that
letter, and l am not ashamed of it..
Attention is called to it, that l may
expose the desperation of the man
who has sought to use It as a means
of advancing himself politically. The
letter was written to an appointive
officer whose office WAS NOT UNDER
THE CIVIL SERVICE, and the in
quiry was made in regard to offices
which WE'RE NOT UNDER The CT
VII SERVICE. There was nothing
in the letter to indicate desire
or intention to select men who were
incompetent. On the contrary inquiry
is made as to what is requisite" BY
what logic does Mr.. Hughes reacn
the conclusion that "every American
should hang his head in shame" be-
cause a democratic secretary of state
expressed an interest in the appoint
ment of deserving democrats to posi-
tiOns NOT UNDER THE CIVIL SER
VICE, for which such democrats were
competent? Mr.. Hughes had appoint
ments to make when he was govern
or. Did he give those appointments
to deserving republicans or to unde-
serving republicans? If to deserv-
ing republicans, did his action cause
nifiUpT Of
his head in shame? Or, is he so
partisan that he regards it as entire
ly proper and patriotic to appoint de-
serving republicans and only shame
ful to appoint deserving democrats?
Mr.. Hughes recognizes political OBJ
legations and has shown himseu quite
prompt in discharging such obliga-
tions. When he was a candidate for
governor, he received the support OF
the railroads of N. Y. and he gen
erously paid the debt by vetoing the !
two-cent passenger rate bill He does
not describe that as shameful. When
candidate for governor, he received |
the support of the New York tax dod- |
gers, the owners of swollen for
aunes," and he paid his debt by send
ing a message to the legislature pro-
.esting against the income tax amend
ment to the federal constitution. He !,
1oes not describe that as shameful.
He is now being supported by the
'ailroads of the United States and he
expects to pay them back by aiding
hem to escape state legislation, and
ind a haven of security in exclusive
edral control" over the railroads.; he
S being supported by the shipping
rust and expects to pay them back
~ helping them to prevent govern
nent competition; he is supported by
he tariff barons and expects to pay
hem back by enabling them to collect
ribute from the consumers, through
ligh tariff rates; he is supported by
he trust magnates and expects to pay
hem back by shielding them from
for the extortion which
hey desire to practise; he is support
q by Wall Street and expects to pay
hem back by turning over to them
ur financial system; he is supported )
y those who are exploiting Mexico
nd he expects to pay them back by
pending American blood and squand-
ring money raised by taxation, in
rder to guarantee profits on specu-1
alive investments. And yet, with the
ecord which he has made in paying
is political obligations at the ex-
ense of the public and with the
ledges his speeches contain to those
-ho are now aiding his ambitions, he !
as the impudence to hold up for e
riticism legitimate effort 10 re- O
ard competent men for the service
hich they have rendered to the
luse of reform. a
For twenty years people have been k
ngaged in life and death struggle p
, save the nation from the big ex-
Ioiters, the big grafters" and the big Ii
pork" hunters-from the plunder n
1nd, to which Mr. Hughes is indebt- s.
l for all the political honors he has
ljoyed and which is now seeking to r,
ut him in position to safeguard b
utocracy from further attacks Mr.. Il
ughes is perfectly familiar with the
,ntest because he has been conspic- S,
1us among the champions of that v
underbund In the campaign or s.