The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1918-11-01
SEC'Y OF TREASURY
McADOO COMMENDS
CONG. FORDNEY


To my friends, voters of Shiawassee
county.
regret exceedingly that my COM
petitor has introduced so many ghost
ly issues, in his effort to befog the
voters, when we should both adjourn
politics, as once suggested by the
President, and trust the people to, do
the right thing. Our Nation is in so
critical position, that political sill
ence seems most fitting. Yet, feel
that brief reply is appropriate, and
it shall be final. =
Take for instance his assertion, be-
fore the Democratic Convention, that
my length of service "has bred con-
tempt for the voters" That reads
like an intended insult, and if the
man who uttered the words, had not
championed, through the press, the
candidacy of Champ Clark for the
Speakership and later Tor the Presi-
dency, one might think he was seri-
Gus, for Mr.. Clark has served his
State longer than have Michigan.
And it was this same Champ Clark,
who in opposing the Presidents draft
law said "there is little difference
between CONSCRIPT AND A CON-
VICT." And it was Henry F ID who
is reported to have publ slurred
the Stars and Stripes. ay {. Purcell
stands for both of these NN,n4 yet in an
advertisement, refers to himself as
"NATURAL BORN PATRIOT" Why
voters, it is almost crime to attempt
patriotic distinction, in a District
which has proven itself to be so Won
derfully unselfish and patriotic. In
large type, in another advertisement
it is said, eve want a man who has
been continuously and is now, not on.
ly the maintainer of a home, but an
actual bona fide resident of this COM
munity" and adds, in small type, "Mr.
Purcell has never lived anywhere
else" If being a Congressman, re-
moves ones residence, then Mr.. Pur-
cell has tried several times to move.
How cheap??? have lived for forty
odd years on Gratiot Ave., Saginaw;
raised large family and tried at all
times to make every caller welcome.
regardless of politics.
In another effort, he attempts to
fool the voters by saying Mr.. Ford
ney is not actively engaged in a sin
gle enterprise in the District" If
this were true, and it isn't, what has
Mr.. Purcell to offer? And right here
l might add; in these momentuous
times, my opponent should know that
Congressman's sole enterprise is in
what he can do to oring this war to
an end, and to that issue l am trying
to devote all my time and energy. He
makes many other assertions, amongst
which is the well worn statement that
have failed to support the Presi-
| dents war program. While / have
not been in entire sympathy with
the details of every measure, yet
upon all fundamental war bills have
voted AYE and advocated speed, upon
the theory that every bill, whether
entirely right or wrong, had at least
one outstanding feature in its favor
it was intended by the Democrats as
measure to help america win the
war. But Mr.. Purcell is far from
every front and it is easy to blindly
criticise.
The President, man much nearer
the entire front, said when he drew
! back that almost sacred suggestion
to adjourn politics. "There is no time
for divided council or divided leader
ship. Unity in command is as neces-
sary in civil action as upon the field
of BATTLE" Nobly said. But there
should be even less for the political
partisanship. On the battle fronts
politics is adjourned, with democrats
and republicans fighting side by side
in appearing unity. And thank God,
that amongst those, the bravest boys
in the world, there is no partisanship.
AS for unity on civil action, | sub
nit letter from one who, in spirit or
in person, is on the firing line of every
front, and who. is willing to sink poll
tics andG partisanship in perllous
times like these. This letter was
written by no less person than the
Director General of American rail-
roads:
Secretary of the Treasury,
Washington, Sept. 8, 1918.
Dear Mr.. Fordney:
{ / am sure you won't mind letting
me thank you for courtesy and fair
ness to me in your remarks in the
House in connection with the debate
on the emergency bond measure. 1t
was really generous Of you, and !
should like you to know how deeply
I appreciate such fine spirit, devoid
of all partisanship, as you have mani
tested in connection with the great
financial problems with which Con-
gress and the Secretary of the Treas.
ury are obliged to deal. No one, who
; has had the pleasure of knowing you
as I have, would expect anything else
, from you but high patriotism in 9
time like this, when not alone oui
, country, but the World itself, is il
danger of domination by military au