The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1916-02-10
BY ARTHUR w. DUNN.


BY ARTHUR w. DUNN.
Washington, Feb. .. - Especial. ] -
Democrats pride themselves generally
upon their straight records. Many
prominent members of the party have
had more or less difficulty in keeping
their records straight on account of
the changing conditions, but they try
mighty hard to be consistent" which
is something of a political cant term.
Most Democrats want to trace q
straight course from Thomas Jefferson
to the present time and to show that
they have kept the faith without a
curve.
That is one reason why they DO not
like President Wilson'S sudden changes
on the matter of war preparation and
the tariff board. The president frank
ly states that he has changed his mind,
but the old line Democrats ask, "IIow
could he?" There are quite a number
of things which give the Democrats
concern, but none more than the
changes which the president has made
since be came into office.
Repeating His Message.
Those Democrats who are bitterly op-
posed to preparedness are constantly
reading the presidents message Of IA
year ago. Senator Variaman recently
read Ii and laid emphasis on the de-
mand for greater war preparation of
that time when Mr.. Wilson said: but
l turn away from the subject. 1t Is
not new. There is no need TO discuss
1t. We shall not alter our attitude be
cause some among us are nervous and
excited"
A year ago the Democrats used 10
say to Republicans who We're talking
of greater military preparation, You
are nervous and excited"
Mann's Exact Words.
In time to come a great deal of sig
nificance is going TO be attached to the
words of Minority Leader Mann when
he urged large expenditures for pre-
p~aredness. This is true because Presi-
dent Wilson In his New York speech
commended Mann. Here Is what
Mann said that was so significant:
I'VE should provide a navy which
will be able to defend us on the sea.
| have much more fear in the end of
wal with England than l have of war
with Germany"
Frank Lowden's Opinion.
Frank Lowden of Illinois. who was
anita "a lnnp tipan "A mnmhaF of tho
house, was In Washington "A short
time ago and met IA number OF his
old friends. One of them was John
w. Dwight of New York. also "A former
member, but now a business man. op-
Grating largely I'm southern states.
Lowden was asked about his prospects
for the governorship OF Illinois, and
Dwight asked him why he didn't stay
out Of politics.
you are a blamed fool. John" was
Lowden's reply. Here you are stack
ing up money in business, and the
Democrats are going to come along
and take 1t away from you with an
income AK"
1t was just after the announcement
that the war preparedness would be
paid for out OF increased taxes on in
comes.
The Universal inquiry.
HAS the presidents speechmaking
tour done him any goodT'
That question is asked by Democrats
and Republicans, particularly by Dem
o%crats, who are wondering what the
effect of these speeches will have po-
litically. Somehow the Democrats be
lieve that the tour will either make or
break the president In the coming
campaign. That naturally makes them
anxious TO know the effect of the
speeches upon the country. 1t may
take several days to learn the result,
not only as to the preparedness cam
paign, but politically.
Two Nice Old Gentlemen.
Senator Cummins was bitterly assail-
Ing the munition manufacturers and
talked about "blood money" and other
unpleasant subjects. Finally observ-
ers in the gallery noticed that two nice
old gentlemen left the chamber. They
were Henry A.. du Pont of Delaware
md lie Baron b. Colt of Rhode Island
Then there ensued talk about one great
powder concern and its immense profits,
md persons also remembered that Coli
was a name associated with a gun OF
deadly effectiveness.
Sees No Difference.
THE wisdom of this congress may
not be as great as the wisdom Of for
mer congresses" Minority Leader
Mann told the house one day, land ye
| do not see that the congress twent,
years ago was any wiser than the con
gress now" Then he had to have /,
dig at Congressman William l.. La Fol
lette, a semi Progressive of Washing
ton state. Nor do / see that congress
before my friend La Toilette came
knew anv more than IL knows since be