Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-01-09

since II has been in power, given the
commercial classes a splendid cur
rency law; it has given the farmers
farm loan law; it has given labor
an eight hour day and greater secur-
Ity IN its rights, and has given to ali
the people relief from the high tariff
burdens that had been placed upon
consumers. Democracy contemplates:
tSerWeen all element and the promo
ton OF the welfare of society in gen.
erall
1t would prevent strikes not by
prohihitory laws but by the creation
OF machinery which will investigate
disputes and thus secure a peaceful
settlement of differences before the
controversy reaches the stage Of
strike Or lockout.
The Democratic party will distin-
gulsh between evolution and revolu-
tlon, guaranteeing freedom Of speech
anc press to every one who advocates
governmental changes by constitu-
r1onai methods, and. at the same
time, prevent the use OF either free
dom or speech Of the press for the
over throw of constitutional govern
ment
The Democratic party has for 20
years denounced private monopoly as
mdefensible and intolerable. 1t can
not surrender its position on this
SUBJECT now when the beneficiaries
OF all the private monopolies are mo-
olilzing under the banner of the Re-
puphcan party, for q united attack
upon the right Of the people to own
ana operate all necessary monopoIies
IN The interest of the public.
The Democratic party will con-
llnue its fight against the profiteer-
ing against the government that re
strains the individual from the use of
force III the protection of his rights
assumes the solemn obligation to pro
iect the disarmed citizens from every
arm upiltted for his injury. We neea
machinery in every state and in
each community that will give to the
consumer a tribunal before which a
dealer accused Of profiteerine can he
drought for examination. The feder-
a. trade commission trade is stem
IN The right direction. But the sub
Ject is too big to be handled bv tho
J nation alone or by a national com
MISSION The remedy must be COM
pete as he cannot complete unless
states and communities as well as the
FEDERAL government are PREPARED IN
zeal with this subject.
i assume that the party will ac-
cept prohibition as the permanent
pohcy of the country. Three-fourths
OF the Democrats in the Senate and
t"o-thlrds of the Democrats in the
T, Souse voted for atIfication-and ev.
cry republican state except three.
Il IS ihconceIvable, therefore that our
party should antagonize the moral
sense OF the nation. John Barleycorn
is dead. The Democratic parrv ran
not Tie itself to a corpse or become
Inc champion of an outlawed traffic.
assume that the party will ac-
cept woman suffrage also as an ac-
comphshed fact. The women saved
our party from defeat in the last con-
gregation and we need the aid TO
hasten the triumph of every right
eous cause.
i venture to suggest three new
propositions for which ask consid.r-
alton.
OLA national peace way run
Arns into every state. wide enough
10 accommodate both passengers and
ifeight, and permanent SO that il will
be q lasting tie binding together the
10 commemorative. 1t will be memo
rial to the soldiers and to all 9TH
ers who took part in the war. and q
monument In commemoration of
peace restored. 1t will not only be an
expression of patriotism, but it will
be educational as We'll as useful. It
Will bring the word peace into the
thought and converse ton Of all our
people for centuries.
"(2,-We need above all other
things just now a national bulletin
not newspaper but a bulletin-un-
Ger bipartisan control furnished to
+ all who desire it.-A bulletin which
will present to the people the issues
upon which they must act. with edi-
torials presenting the arguments for
AND against the action proposed. so
thaJ every citizen may intelligently
exercise the duties of citizenship and
give 10 his government the benefit
OF MS Judgment and his conscience
The avenues of information are at
present in private hands and the ed
ltors, being human. have a bias which
makes it impossible for them to pre-
sent both sides fairly: and to make
the situation worse, the greater pre-
datory interests are in position to in
fuence many newspapers in addi-
ton to those which they absolutely
control. If there is anything for which
government like ours can afford to
spend money. il Is to inform those up
on whose will the government rests
'(3)-The initiative and the refer
endum are not new. For a quarter
of a century the idea has been grow
endum has been put into operation
in states like Ohio, Illinois, Missouri
and Massachusetts, it has ceased to
be a thing to be ridiculed. Instead
II now eXcites the determined oppo-
sition of those who are not willing
that the people should be masters of
their own destiny through a govern
ment entirely within their control
The progress that democracy is max
ing throughout the world ought to
encourage our party to make the
adoption of the principle Of the in
itiative and referendum its next
great reform. a reform entirely in
harmony with the election Of sena-
tors by the people and the primary
The people are the source of au-