The St. Joseph observer., 1916-08-19

today against the return Of Woodrow
Wilson and the Democrats to power.
They did it again in the banking
and currency act, which took from the
money trust control of the banking re-
serves of the nation, and with such
control the power to make exorbitant
profits at the expense of productive
industry. and the money trust is
against the return Of Woodrow Wilson
and the Democrats to power.
They did it again in the bill ap-
propriating $1O,OOO,OOO for a govern
ment armor plate factory. and another
bill for a government plant to manu-
facture high explosives in time of war
and fertilizer in time of peace, and the
armor plate trust and the powder trust
are against the return OF Woodrow
Wilson and the Democratic party to
power.
They did it again in the creation
of an American merchant marine, now
under way. and again in the bill for
bidding interstate commerce in goods
produced by child labor. and the ship
subsidists and those who collect divi-
dends out Of the sweat Of childhood
are against the return Of Woodrow
Wilson and the Democratic party to
power.
They did it again when they shifted
from the shoulders of the poor to the
shoulders of the rich part of the bur-
den of cost of government and put on
inheritances exceeding s50,000 a tax to
pay for preparedness, and as a result
all those who resent the breaking up
Of great fortunes are against the re-
turn OF Woodrow Wilson and the
Democrats to power"
Now while Hughes is denouncing
the president with such savagery, why
does he not criticize those things that
Wilson and the Democratic congress
have done?
Why does he fear to discuss the is
sues that are bringing him such earn
est support from the powerful inter
ests that are offended by this Demo-
cratic record?
1t is because he knows these things
are popular with the great masses of
the people, who threw the Republican
party from power because of its part
nership with privilege, and who,
thanks to Democratic administration,
are now enjoying government respon-
sive to their wishes and devoted to
their interests.
1t is because, as the Register says,
"the moment Mr.. Hughes should begin
to talk about domestic matters, that
moment the Progressives whom he
hopes to catch would be reminded that
back Of Hughes is the whole. galaxy Of
standpatters-the Roots, Cranes, Pen
roses, Gailingers, Smoots and cannons
who wrecked the Republican party
once by prostitutins it to privilege and
who, should they be returned to power,
would dominate or wreck the Hughes
administration"
For similar reasons Mr.. Hughes re-
fuses to discuss his own platform; to
consider, face to face with the people.
the program his own party is pledged
to should it be returned to power.
In his platform and in the keynote
speeches made in his convention are
to be found euIosy Of the ship subsidy,
opposition to the income tax, demands
for high tariffs, opposition to the ship
ping bill, opposition to government ar
NOR and nitrate factories, and pledge
to take away from the states the right
to regulate railroads within their own
borders.
Here, and in the Democratic legisla-
tive record. are to be found the real
issues of the campaign; the issues
that go home to the people and that
vitally concern them.
AS to all of them Mr.. Hughes is
silent, or he sings soft and low. He
depends on abusing Wilson for his
hope of election.
In doing so he pays poor tribute to
the intelligence of the American vot-
ers, and shows how little he under
stands not alone their enlightened
selfishness but their sense of justice
and gratitude