Gilpin observer., 1919-04-17
LEST WE FORGET
BY Homer S. Cummings.

POWCi vi IAC ALL udy VI MdTCHs
1918. It's achievements in the
way of domestic reform consti-
tute a miracle of legislative prog
ress. Provision was made for an
income tax, thereby relieving the
revenue law of the reproach of
being unjustly burdensome to the
poor, the extravaganccs and iniq-
uities of the tariff system were
removed and a non-partisan tar
iff commission was established.
Pan-Americanism was encourag-
ed, a corrupt lobby was driven
from the national capital, work
mans compensation act was ad-
opted, child labor legislation en-
acted, the Smith-Lever bill for
the Improvement of farm condi-
tions was passed, the parcel post
and the rural free delivery were
developed, corrupt practice act
was adopted and the Federal re-
serve system was established.
"This last law not only reform
ed our currency system, but plac-
ed our financial affairs upon such
a sound basis that we SUCCESSFULLY
met the vast expenditures made
necessary by war, and without
strain or panic were able to sup
ply the needs of our allies.
when war came, we supplied
the necessary legislation. A war
finance corporation was created.
the Office of alien property custo-
dian was established, war risk in
surance was provided, while the
shipping laws re-established Am
erica's supremacy upon the seas.
Vocational education was pro-
vided, industry was successfully
mobilized, the navy was expanded
until it became the second in size
in all the world and the first in
efficiency. An army of 100000
men was organized, and more than
100000, fully equipped, we'll Of
fcered and indomitable in spirit
was safely transported across
5000 miles of seas, where it turn
ed the tide of battle and triumph
ed in the greatest war that the
world has ever known.
People Are Satisfied
"Petty criticism of minor de-
fects and individual officials may
for time attract superficial at
tention, but the significant things
the great outstanding facts of
the last six years plead eloquent
ly for the Democratic cause. To
re-adjust the process of peace so
as to serve the activities of war
has been an undertaking requir-
ing leadership of unexampled
skill. So striking has been. the
response of the people, so free
have our public affairs been from
any sort of scandal or improper
influence it scarcely lies in the
mouth of those who conducted the
Spanish-American war to indulge
in the luxury of criticism.
mot only were these results
accomplished under Democratic
authority, but the very terms up
on which hostilities came to an
end were formulated by a Demo-
cratic president. Our leader has
become the world leader; his
words carry into every quarter of
the globe and the statesmen of
the allied governments have ac-
cepted his leadership. Only in
America have there been raised
voices of protest. 1t is not diff
ficult for the discerning to real
ize that these protests have their
source in narrow and vindic-
tive partisanship.
"The Republican organization
has fallen into the control of the
reactionary and selfish forces of
this country. These are the for
ces which are seeking to thwart
the president and to bring his pol
icies to naught. These are the
same forces which are responsible
for the movement to place Sena-
tor Penrose in charge of the great
Senate Committee of finance, and
which have already selected
Congressman Mondell of Wyoming
to be floor leader of the majority
in the incoming House."
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