The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1919-07-03
CAPT. KING Sw0PE FOR
CONGRESS

Republican candidate 10 fill the I'M
expired term in Congress, from The
9Th congressional district Of Ken
lucky. addressed an audience in the
Vocational Chapel, Bcrea This
election becomes necessary because
of the death Of Hon. Harvey Helm,
and is TO be held on August 2, the
same day as the general primary.
The meeting Saturday night was
presided over by Prof. l.. " Dodge.
The principal speaker, Capt. King
Swope, is a comparatively young
man, Of good appearance, pleasant
address, and forcible speaker. His
uncle. Col A. NJ. SwOpe, was counted
one of the ablest political leaders
in Kentucky. Captain Swope had
spoken in Berea before, having been
candidate for Presidential Elector
in the campaign of 1916. After re-
ferring TO his previous visit, and
disavowing any feeling OF animosity
toward political opponents, he de-
voted himself closely to the discus
sion OF live questions, state and ma
| tiOnal. Eaving been in the military
service Of the country for nineteen
months. he naturally dwell at length
upon the extravaganza and inef-
| nciency which has been shown in
The conduct of the war. Especially
did he argue in favor Of special leg
islation to right the injustice done
/ 10 the soldiers. who took their lives
in their hands in their country's
defense.
The speaker emphasized the fact
that the United States debt of about
one billion dollars at the beginning
OF the war has increased 10 twenty
four billions. Half this vast ex-
pense has been wasted. The yearly
interest is greater than the entire
national debt was two and half
years ago. The dollar year" men,
while protesting TO be giving their
time. have entaled heavy expense
on the nation. Thousands OF merely
nominal employees Of the govern
ment ought 10 be at once discharg-
ed Those soldiers who do not want
10 stay in the regular army ought
20 be discharged at once. The war
. time bureaus should be promptly
abolished Mr.. SwOpe, II elected,
expects to introduce a resolution
calling upon each department for a
statement of the least number OF
employees needed 10 conduct the
business. On all sides there is ur-
gent need of economy.
One efficient means Of reducing
the present extravagant cost Of liv-
ing is TO have protective tariff.
This would bring three hundred
millions Of dollars a year into our
Treasury, thus reducing taxes,
besides protecting American labor
ers. Where is the man who used to
lament the alleged fact that Ameri-
can goods were sold cheaper in
Europe than in this country, and
blamed il on tariff? Now, without a
protective tariff, the cost of all
things which We buy is almost fab
, ulously increased We pay 40 per
= cent more for bacon, 1870 per cent
, more for eggs, 400 per cent more for
butter If one takes a railroad trip
: he pays so per cent more for his
ticket and 10 per cent more for his
Pullman fare. If, being discouraged
he decided To end his life he finds
p that poison has gone up 327 pei
= cent, pistols 62 per cent, and rope
!. S5 per cent. But if he goes home
{ and reads the Democratic platform
Z of 1912, promising to reduce the
0 high cost of living by abolshing the
tariff, he at once, without cost
laughs himself TO death.
Captain Swope vigorously and eff
iectively stated his views upon vari-
Gus practical topics. Among othe'
I things he demands a prompt re-
Q duction of army and navy to a peac,
e basis. He calls for the repeal o
n the "semi-luxury tax on shoes, etc
% He would reduce and simplify In,
n income tax. He opposes the ex-
$ tension of government ownership
! or control. He showed that The
. loudest talk about loyalty TO thu
: President" comes from those wh'
= have done little for their countr,
,. in this great crisis Of its history
!. Coming TO a detailed discussion o
4 soldiers rights and claims, of which
i Captain Swope is an earnest cham
Il pion, he referred to the anomaly o
{ our keeping soldiers in Russii
n with which we are not at war. |
we have no right to be there oul
a iponnc ehauld ia hponQhi homa "A