The Goldfield news and weekly tribune. [volume] (Goldfield, Nev.) 1911-1947, 1917-03-24
Official statistics put out by Washington experts show an advance
of 70 per cent in retail prices of food in 1916. The average consumer
can boost the percentage several notches and not strain experience.
IS THIS FRUIT OF THE PRIMARY

The lack of leadership in congress is one OF the most omhnous
signs of the times, Where are the statesmen for whom the republic
has never lacked before when they we're needed Where are the men
of courage and ability, who in every other national crisis have been
our sure reliance in the nation. parliament?
Instead of Patrick Henrys, we have flibustering La Folettes. In
stead of Daniel Websters, we have eumshoed Bill Stones. Instead of
Charles Summers, we have Gronnas msrepresentng their constituents.
Instead of Henry Clays we have Moses Clapp and John D. Works.
And there were giants in the congresses of recent history-Blaine
and Reed, Conk1ing and Garfield, Edmunds and Allison, Randall and
Window, Ramsey and Davis, Chandler and Teller, and many others.
What ha= led to the degeneracy of the congresses of today What
has turned to water the blood that once ran in the veins of our public
men? What has palsied their arms and atrophied their minds? Is it
the insidious influence of the direct primary, which keeps them kneel-
ing with their ears to the ground, to catch the first far-of vibrations
of popular feeling?
Certain it is that congress is now death1y afraid of the cars" 1t
dares take no important action till the country has been heard from. 1t
evades the responsibilities confded to it as a representative body OF
picked men. Members of congress used to do things because they
thought those things right or desirable for the country. Now they are
chiefly concerned IS to whether what they do will be popular. They
have no courage of their convictions, if, indeed, they have any convic-
tons.
So confirmed has been the habit Of congress to wonder, before it
takes any stand, what the people will say, I" ~e method OF
efecting its action nowadays is to start a bombardment of postcards
letters and kilograms. Thus a false public opinion is often stimulated.
Those directly interested are easily prodded into helping such a cam
paign along. But the great silent majority expect congress to legislate
on its own motion and on its own judgment. Seldom does the real
public become vocal unless goaded into hot indignation IS 1t was by
the reasonable flibuster of the "wiful twelve Then there is an out
burst that sends the senate scurryng for cover behind a new coture
What America needs now most of all is real, constructive, courage
Gus leadership-in the presidency, in the cbanet, in congress.
If the Celestial empire actually breaks into the melee on the entente
side. the celebrated partnership of the central powers with the Deity
necessarily dissolves.
SO far the much prophesied spring drive shows the greatest exc
cution among warning cabinets.
War minister quits the cabinet Headline. No, unfortunately,
it is in France this time-not in the United States.
Come day perhaps the great, patient American public will grow
weary of being the goat in labor wars and swing a few efficient ham
mers.
Whatever appealing excuse may be offered for U-boat ruthless
ness. the scuttlng of Belgian relief ships is utterly indeensibe. Beside
such acts the deeds of Barbary pirates appear respectable.
Taking at face value the British review of U-boat activities, it is
painfully evident the vets IRE not making good the advance prophecies.
Britain, Germany and France are again scrapping at the bottom
of the financial can. AT the present stage of the war game, grub and
gold surpass gunpowdcr in speeding up the finish.
Confusion grows in the poSofice department. Every move la
beled economy" actually swats business with a mailed fist.