The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1916-11-02
SENATOR HANSBROUGH
SPEAKS FOR WILSON


AAoh. AieHIy clay f1auSDrOuSN, VINO
Tor eighteen years served North Dako-
tn in the United States senate is
touring North Dakota as a Wilson Re-
publican appealing to men everywhere
to break the shackles of the party
label and think only of America first.
Senator Hansbrough is president of
the Wilson Independent league which
Is an organization of earnest, progress
sive thinking men who want to sup
port the president regardless of party.
Il regard the reelection of Presi-
dent Wilson" said Senator Hans
brough in his speech at Casselton
which opened the state tour ''as the
most important work in which any
citizen could engage.
III all voters could know the real
reason for the opposition to him there
would be no doubt about the result
In this age Of supreme selfishness.
when not to be a chaser of the goddess
dollar is taken to be an evidence of
insanity. it is difficult for the clear
sighted man with no strings on him
to make himself understood. One has
to spend many years in an atmosphere
OF politics to know what politics real
~ means Having had that opportuni-
ty, have no hesitation in saving that
the presidential contest Of 1916 is one
between democracy on the one hand
and autocracy on the other. When I
speak of democracy, do not mean the
Democratic party exclusively: have
IN mind that broader, more extensive.
democracy which is the life germ Of
real Republicanism such as Lincoln
relied upon to save the union. That
other democracy having African
slavery for its foundation has passed
Tharo
democratic about it. In truth it was
the autocracy of it's time. And with
equal truth its mantle has fallen upon
the shoulders Of those now controlling
the Republican party. for they are the
autocrats of today. Instead of negro
slavery. they would have white
slavery.
1T is with the deepest regret that
I feel myself obliged to make this
statement. And yet it is completely
borne out by the facts in the case.
Point me to one monopoly, to any
large railway corporation, to a single
financial concern that is not hopeful
Of the election Of Mr.. Hughes. Name
trade or occupation who in his heart
would not prefer the success of Mr..
Wilson,
Thus 1t is that the country is
divided in this campaign. Never be-
tore was the line so completely drawn
Or the classes so readily distinguish
able. 1t is the common people as Mr..
Lincoln knew them versus the caste
OF wealth as we know it. True, there
are individual exceptions. Not all the
men engaged in legitimate trades and
occupations will vote for Mr.. Wilson.
They ought to vote for him. for as I
have said their hearts are with him;
their true interests lie in paths parallel
with his policies
III l did not feel 1t q public duty to
give expression to what is in my mind,
I would not be here.
BY sore experience every
farmer in the country is familiar with
the conduct of the monopoly in farm
machinery. Hundreds Of farmers
wrote me in 1905 that the price of
grain binders had been advanced TO
an extortionate figure. 1t is a matter
OF common knowledge that the cost Of
making binder is less than $50. And
yet Mr.. Perkins trust organized in
1902 under Roosevelt has charged
nearly three times this sum for a single
machine.
After passing a resolution of
INVESTIGATION. I went to Roosevelt with
the matter and he assured me the
Harvester trust would be vigorously
prosecuted. But it was not prosecuted
while Roosevelt was president.
Imagine my surprise when in 1912,
three wears after the trust had helped
to put ME out Of the senate. I discov-
cred the existence Of confidential
letter written by President Roosevelt
to his attorney general. Mr. Bonaparte,
forbidding the beginning Of proceed
ings against the trust He promptly
denied that he had given such an
order. but the letter being brought
from its hiding place in the depart
ment Of justice {injustice would be the