The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1918-09-28

ton, through It's president, Hon. Joha-
than Bourne, Jr.. gave out the follow
ing statement at its Washington
headquarters:
Whatever amount OF money may
have been spent by candidates for Re
publican senatorial nominations in
Michigan, II Is readily apparent that
in behalf OF none OF them was there
exerted as baneful, as dangerous and
as corrupting an influence as was ex-
erted In behalf OF the democratic nom
inee, who, according TO press reports,
says that he spent no money at all.
THE President OF the IT, s. sent
out the word that be wanted Henry
Ford nominated for U. S. senator. The
civilian employees OF the government
thereby received notice that 1t would
be pleasing TO the administration II
they exerted themselves in behalf OF
Ford. There Is no available informa-
ton as TO the exact number OF Federal
employees in Michigan. but If the total
| number or such employees be in pro-
portion TO the population. the number
is more than 10000, with an aggre-
gate annual compensation OF more
than si2.oOo.ooo.
I'm view OF the active interest the
heads OF most OF the departments have
taken IN politics. and in view of the
efforts the administration has made
in the past five years to fill up all the
Offices with deserving democrats no
one will doubt that the word from the
White House yitalized the $4,000, 900
Federal organization with the person
mel OF 10000. Thus Mr. Ford had the
aid OF an organization already in ex-
istence, possessing the prestige of
official power and naturally afraid to
! go counter TO the wishes OF the execu-
tive. While there were probably no
direct orders and no threats, there
was in effect a species OF intimidation
and improper interference with the
free exercise OF politicl judgment. No
president OF the United States can
sever his personal and his official
ideuties No president can speak as
President Wilson spoke without his
words being in effect an order to the
employees who depend upon his par
tisn cabinet their positions and pro
motions. Coercion strikes at the foun-
dation OF popular government, what
ever form that coercion may take.
The total expenditure in behalf Of
the man who secured the Republican
nomination was $4,000. all but
about $4,000 OF which was spent for
newspaper advertising. Assuming
that this advertising space was used
to state facts regarding the personal
qualifications and political principles
OF the aspirant. there was no coer-
cion, no bribery, no proper influence
in that expenditure. There is nothing
injurious 10 popular government in
'pitiless publicity. In state with
100000 voters. and with rent, travel
ing expenses, music, lights, kilograms,
etc, 10 pay for, the remaining 500
600 could not have been ued cor
ruptly.
NO one will dispute the assertion
that Sl76.O00 is too large an amount TO
be spent in any ordinary campaign.
On the other hand no fair-minded man
will dispute the assertion that the
only way TO stand ghost OF a
chance to defeat a man with a s12,-
0000 machine and a $4,000 person
mel is TO spend a sufficient sum to
let the people have the facts. The
sum OF $4,000, 10000 IS too much
money TO spend in one year in war
I but the only way to beat the Hun is
to spend IL. The peopel OF Michigan
were confronted with the task OF beat
ing attempted dictatorship and II
they accomplished nothing else by the
expenditure OF $4,000, they con
tributed to worthy patriotic cause
and should be accorded the plaudits
OF all who desire the perpetuation OF
free institutions Any man who
won't spend his money to portect free
government from it's enemies is un-
worthy OF citizenship Any man who
tries to exercise dictatorship over
elections certainly becomes thereby an
enemy OF free government.
III the Republican form fgovern.
ment in the United States Is yielding
place 10 dictatorship. then the people
should be informed OF the transition
and aroused to the necessity for
prompt exercise OF that eternal vigi.
lance and courageous self-assertior