Gilpin observer., 1916-09-14
WASHINGTON news
BY Edward Keating

| Ion Was never DeeleT cAclhPAhiSu
than by the actions of certain Re-
PUBLICAN congres smen in Illinois and
other central western states who are
seeking reelection on the ground
principal measures enacted during
the last fcur years.
Congressman Ira C. Copley, CT the
Aurora, Illinois, district Is conspicu-
Gus example of these Republicans
who are seeking popular favor on a
Democratic platform.
In page advertisement in his
home paper Mr.. Copley says he is
completing his third term in the
House. During all that time, the
Democrats have had an overwhelming
majority in that body. Mr.. Copley, a
Republican, speaking of the work Of
these Democratic congresses, says:
During this time more legislation
of a constructive character has been
considered and enacted into law
than in any Like reriod in the his
|
Mr.. Cop,ey boosts that he support
ed this constructive Legislation" and
he proceeds to furnish detailed list
OF the good things given to the coun-
try by the Democratic administration,
as follows:
Democratic Achieve ments.
THE Clayton antitrust act"
"The bill to create the Department
of Labor
"The rural credits act which is cal
culated to place the farmer upon the
same footing as other business men
in respect to credits"
Right here, we might pause to poin'
out that the rural credits act, men,
toned by Mr.. Copley. is the same
bill which the Republican party de-
nounced in its national platform as
ineffective" 1t is also significant
that when this "ireffective" Demo
cratic rural credits act was before
the House only ten Republicans could
be found to vote against it.
Put to resume Mr.. Copley's state.
ment of Democratic achievements:
"A nonpartisan tariff commission
which will enable congress to APP
proach tariff legislation from a fair
and scientific standpoint.
TIE sixteenth amendment to the
Constitution of the United States
which provides for the election OF
United States senator's by direct vote
of the people.
: "The Inheritance tax, which ex
poses tax upon the larger inherit
ances. which is estimated will yield
$50. .OOO, 900 annually.
THE income tax law in its pres
ent form. which exempts moderate in
comes and imposes a graduated taa
upon the larger incomes, whereby, &C
cording to conservative estimates
$3.50 900 900 annually will be raised.
THE federal reserve act, otherwise
known as the currency law. The i'm
pcrtance of this act is hardly ye
fully analyzed. 1t makes it impossi
bic for half dozen Wall street bank
ers to create for their purposes 9
money panic, such as we experienc
ed in 1907 and on numerous Other
occasions.
"The trade commission which give
the government regulation and con
troll of the large industrial corpora
tions whose businessl approaches tht
proportions of monopoly. The bus
iness of this country cannct be con
Quoted without these great corpora
items, which in the past have beer
cropping in the dark as to their lega
rights. as result of which they hav
tco often violated the law wher
tlero was no intention to do so
This act, in addition, gives these cor
guidance in their operations whicl
makes a violation of the anti-trust
laws inexcusable."
Others Adopt copley'e Tactics.
l understand tLat Congressmei
Foss and Mckenzie of Illinois, botl
Republicans, are among those who
have adopted Congressman Copley'
tactics and are endeavoring to ride
into office on Democratic planks.
1t Is an ordinary spectacle and has
probably never been duplicated in the
political history of this country. II
may be taken as proof positive that
In the opinion of astute Republicans
son and are preparing to return him
to the White House.
In this connect on an interesting
story comes frcm Chicago in connec
tion with a poll" which was recent
L 4 .Axa.l 4. :.