The Brunswick news. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 1906-2016, 1917-10-14
REPUBLICANS.

An intimation is given the public
through a statement by Representa-.
tive Madden, of Illinois, veteran on
politics, that, beginning with the next
session of congress, the republicans
propose to lay the foundations for
their congressional campaign of 1918
and their presidential campaign of
1920. Mr. Madden says:
I'VE propose to insist upon greater
efficiency, not only in legislation, but
also in the fiscal policy, in the con-
duct of departments, in the letting of
contracts, in fact, in all the wide
range of activities entering into the
enormous problems involved in the
administration of the affairs of the
country"
While Mr.. Madden does not speak
in any official capacity for his party,
| it may be assumed that he voices the
ideas Of other republicans and prob
| ably those of his colleague, Mr. Mann,
the republican floor leader of the
house. Not merely from what he says
but from rumors emanating from 9TH
err sources, it is learned that the re-
publicans believe their interests lie
in itlrr bn ict1 e fI,D
administration, criticising apparent
eXtravagances and emphasizing the
weak spots in the government. They
are to keep up a running fire of crit
iciSm throughout the session, but all
the time being careful to vote with
the administration, so that they can
not be accused Of obstructing the gov
erpments war plans.
If this is the best :, Q republicans
have to offer the people as reason
for returning them to power, they
might as well save their efforts. They
can not run a successful national
campaign upon platform of scold-
ing and fault-finding. The efficiency
of this administration will be tested
by the outcome of the war, and that
Will be the acid test
If the war is won before the next
presidential election and our armies
and fleet come home victorious from
the accomplishment of a great and
lasting benefit to humanity, Mr. Will
sons critics may howl themselves
hoarse with criticism, to no purpose
The American people are id the fight
to win, and they want the job done
we'll and as quickly as possible. Be-
cause some cog in the great war ma
chine slips or some weak shaft breaks
they will not condemn the machine or
the man who runs it. They want re,
suits, and the will not cavil about
little things.
It would be more in keeping with
the history and traditions of the re
publican party to look to the future:
TO appreciate conditions that WIZ
come with the ending of the war ~
The reconstruction period that viii
follow the advent of peace the coun
try will require consummate states,
manship to assist in the adjustment
of conditions in the United States.
With the return to civil life of the
millions of men who have taken up
arms and with the restoration to nor
NAL levels of prices that have scared
beyond all reason, the policy of pro-
lection, so dear to the republican
heart, will doubtless be needed more
than it ever has been during the past
fifty years. If. ever there was ex-
cuse for the reservation of the home
market for domestic enterprise, it will
be then. Tax laws will have to be re-
constructed, fiscal policies adopted
and our entire economic fabric
changed to meet the new conditions.
Would it not be wiser for the repub-
leans to offer their services in this
work on a constructive platform than
to go before the country as critics and
fault-inders'!