The Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 191?-19??, 1919-11-13
/ PARTY OF
OBSTRUCTION

either carry out their announced
legislative program or enact needfu'
1 legislation except when spurred and
prodded by President Wilson, was
the subject of two Democratic adj
dresses in Congress. Senator Jo-
seph T. Robinson pointed out that
but two important measures had
come before the Senate in the six
months of the special session-the
Treaty of Peaceuand the railroad bill
-and that no action has been taken
upon either. Representative James
| B. Aswell cited official figures to
prove that "the expense to the peo-
pie of Republican inaction is a min
mum of $4,000 a day, or $1,000
600 already expended in the current
expenses of this special session"
Representative Aswell spoke of
the objectionable fillibuster" by the
Republicans in the last Congress,
which prevented passage of many i'm
portant pieces of appropriation and
other legislation.
i Republican leaders, still eager to
.harass the President, during two
months hOwled necessarily for spe-
cial session of Congress" continued
Mr.. Aswell. They got it. They have
had it for six months; they have
done nothing and now they cry quit.
Is it any wonder the President fore
saw this situation and appealed to
the country for a Democratic Con-
gress to support him in prosecuting
the war, and to hoil the confidence
of the country by enacting straight
forward, efficient legislation during
the reconstruction period through
which we are now passing?
"The country is now in ominous
turmoil, lawlessness seeks excuses,
business is paralyzed and afraid and
internal agitators would ike co
threaten organized government Yet
the Republican majority, in full con-
troll of the organization of this Con-
/ gress sits supinely by without pur-
4 poseful leadership. Until the last
of October, when forced by public
sentiment led by Democrats, they re-
fused to stand up and be counted on
grave questions vital to the whole
people. Attacking the administra-
ton and criticizing the government
have become the habits which give
hope, comfort and encouragement to
anarchy and bolshevism.
afraid to move forward, the Il
publicans leaders fiddle away the
time by investigating everything
that might give promise of campaign
material for 1920, this being intend
cd TO divert public attention from
their own shortcomings. Let the
Congress find out now how much
time and money are being squander-
Il upon these ponderous and noisy
Investigations to find campaign thun-
der for 1920 when up to this hour
they have not revealed single I'M
portant fact not already known.
"The country wants legislation on
the railroads, the merchant marine,
the control and development of our
national resources, our military and
naval policies, the regulation of i'm.
migration, the stamping out of an
archy and bolshevism, the high cost
of living, the extension of motor
truck mail service, highway construc
ton and soldier relief measures.
The Democrats in Congress are eag-
er fer action, yet the Republican ma
.ccity refuses to act or permit action,
/ fritters away the time with irrelevant
political matters to the discourage
ment and disgust of the country.
Nothing has been done for the re-
turned soldiers except what has been
worked out and accomplished by the
Departments of the Government I'm
der a Democratic administration, for
which the Republicans can in no way
claim credit
Three billion dollars worth of pub
lie business is tied up indefinitely by
these war Investigations. The coun-
try demands the disposal of motor
trucks, automobiles and other army
materials needed in civil life, yet the
investigating committees are taking
up the entire time of 40 per cent of
the forces OF he War Department in
answering questions and preparing
data for the investigating commit
tees. No Democrat or department OF
the government opposes the most
searching investigation in quest of
facts for the good of the Govern
ment, but we demand that the coun-
try's present and future business al
so receive the serious attention of