The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1916-10-29
WHY WOODROW WILSON SHOULD
RE REELECTED.

If Hughes and Wilson were both untrled
men. both running for the presidency Tor
the first time the voters of the United
States might be in some doubt IN making
their choice With party lines nearly
obiterated, both platforms supporting
policies practically identical in all essen
tials, and Wilson giving the broadest in
depreciation to the tariff question in the
history of the democratic party, there is
certainly not much difference between the
basic principles at stake. Coming to the
leaders themselves, Hughes and Wilson
have an equally clear record; they are
equally capable; they are almost of an age;
they are both Christian gentlemen and
profound students.
Hughes, as governor of New York, has
the same executive experience behind him
that Wilson had as governor OF New Jer-
sew four years ago; but here the analogy
ends, for Hughes did not lead the legisla-
lture at Albany as Wilson did in Trenton,
where he defed and beat the Systene as
he later dehed and beat it in Washington.
when he drove the Lobby from under
cover and destroyed it.
Courageous, honorable, and capable as
he is, Hughes has never given evidence OF
Wilson'S ability to take an unorganlzed,
ieaderless party, as when Congress con-
vened in 1913, and accomplish such imme-
date reforms as the Tariff and the Federal
Reserve. under conditions that seemed to
render success impossible.
Of the Federal Reserve, which corrected
temporary war measure inherited from
the previous generation, and renders panics
well-nigh impossible, the Republicans in
deed claim the credit, saying the bill was
practically identical with the Aldrich pro-
,posal of 1911 which, granting it to be
true, simply proves Wilson's ability to
recognize what is good in the opposition
philosophy and accomplish results where
they failed
Other great reforms that stand out like
mountain peaks are the Rural Credits, Civ
ing the farmer the same financial assist
ance as the business man, and enabling the
development of millions of acres of land
the act equalizing the income tax; the
Federal Trade Commission Act, protect
ing both business men and public; and the
Clayton Bill, defining the antitrust legis
1ation, preventing inter1ocking directorates
and declaring that the labor of human
being is not commodity" Then there
are the seamen and shipping laws, BY
which our merchant marine will be buil
up; the Good Roads law, to develop high
ways by Federal assistance and increase
the value of farm lands; the Smith, evei
Agricultural Extension Act, sending ex
perts throughout the country to teacl
progressive farming; lastly, the Child La
Dor law, emancipating three-quarters of
million children; and the Defense legisla
ton, providing for more efficient prepared
ness than was ever before urged by an,
one party.
Truly a record that would be remarka
BILE for normal times; but considering tina
the United States has been going through
one of the stormest periods in the world
history, has been threatened by commer
cial collapse, and more than once has bee
brought face to face with war, it falls lit
tie short OF the miraculous.
The country has moreover prospered a
never before. 1t may be, as the Republican
say, that our balance of trade, represent
ed bv two billion dollar increase. of eS
ports during the past two years, will b
diminished after the war, when we are abl
to import certain commodities, but til
fact remains that our national wealth, III