Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-05-20

An American Merchant Marine.
The world war has demonstrated
beyond question that an adequate
meet OF merchant vessels should DO
available in time OF
war or national emergency for mill
tary as well as commercial pur-
poses and rs an auxiliary OF our
navy for the national defense.
This nation with 'itk vast re-
sources and wealth should not be
dependent upon any other nation
for transportation facilities either
IN time OF war or peace.
1t should no the policy OF the
Democratic party TO build up and
maintain great and efficient mer-
chant marine under the American
nag adequate at all times TO meet
the requirements of our ocean-borne
tary and naval auxiliary in times
OF war or national emergency; and
that such merchant marine should
bee privately owned and operated.
TO that end we favor the sales as
soon as practicable TO citizens of
the United States all the merchant
vessels heretofore built or now be-
Ing built. for and owned by the
United States. at such prices and on
such terms and conditions as will
best carry out the aforesaid policy
and will reasonably assure the sue
cess.ul operation of such merchant
vessels under the American flag in
competition with the merchant
fleets of other nations in the world
trade.
Good UoadS
The Democratic party in Congress
first created standing committee
on Good Roads of the House and
enacted legislation for federal aid.
in conjunction with the States. TO the
construction of public highways.
Under the stimulus of this legisla-
ton thousands OF miles of good
roads have already been built and
many thousands more are in course
of construction. We commend the
party's record on this important
problem and very earnestly approve
the action of the General Assembly
of this State in the recent steps
taken further to develop the high
way system Of Virginia. We urge
upon our Senators and Representa-
tives in Congress the necessity of
creating by legislative enactment
structed and maintained by the Fed
eral government. with which ma
tional system may effectively be CO.
ordinated the state and local sys-
TENS. under their respective con-
stitutional jurisdtictions; likewise
we earnestly favir the continuation
of the existing system Of joint fed
eral and state aid, as inauEurated
by the Democratic party in Congress.
Public Education
We commend as worthy of the ap-
probation of the people of Virginia
Inc passed BY
more constructive and forward-loois-
ing body OF laws has been put upon
the statute books since the State
stand as an Index TO the thoughtful
pa triotism of the Democratic lead
crs In the Assembly. and as n signal
TO the people. of the wise and pro-
SresSlve development of an inStitu-
ton which reaches every home in
the Commonwealth.
We particularly commend the in
increase by thirty-three and one
third per cent. of the State funds for
salaries of public school teachers
and the measure which ENCOURAGES
the establishment of a nine months
school term in rural as well as urban
Virginia. The three amendments t.
the state Constitution were rendered
necessary. by the growth and en-
OF the public school sys-
TEN. We invite the most careful
Of these amendments,
Wnlch nave already passed two ses-
SONS OF the Assembly of Virginia,
ana we urge favorable vote upon
them by the people next November.
Woman Suffrage
with equal suffrage for women by
y. .SioH OF tne Federal Constitution
we commend the timely action of IN.
General Assembly in arranging. bv
statute. for the prompt Qualification
OF inc women of Virginia TO partici-
"a IN the elections; and we urge
.he Democratic women OF the Staie
10 register at the earliest opportuni-
the franchise "a
mn In This his connection it may be noted
non at Roanoke. with characteris-
nc disregard of the truth. e.
as an asset of the Rcpublican marry
~ shtrahchlsemcn OF the women
o. america. The incontcsiuhi. TO-,
IS mat never in the history of ibe
tountry. except under the admins
trationS OF Grover Cleveland in ~.
i III instance. and Woodrow Wilson
r n sne second place. has any Con-
woman sufTra~e
amendment to the Fedora, C nrS;
tuition. Nothing OF the Kind was
of Re atrSeimiplgd Iii, in forsy-tive years
publican Presidents. "'"' i'e-
To the persistence q, pros,,.
iison. with his urgent ncrsonni
Ssppeais TO individual Democrniic
: sSnis and Representatives.
s : inm a., chiefly be ascribed the adon,
m ission. oom mIie: OF the act of sub
scheming for party advanr u",.ea n
Soiely due the failure OF t,onSross
" act IN time to assure the p:,rticI-
Ia ION or women generally in the
preSiuential and congressional clnc-
tons of 1920. e'ee
PRESIDENT Wilson is tho first oc-
cupant OF the White House to recor-
niZe the htness of women for Office
SSo Sa,b them to highly re-
sponslbie administrative positions
under The Federal government.
ADDeni Tho p.o,to
so unprecedented has been the
aecoTd or the present Democratic
ADMINISTRATION. and so proiitic of
truItiui results. that the recital in
detail might be extended indeiinite-
~. IN all its major activities IL has
aoundantly confirmed the profess
sions OF the Democratic creed as a
party of popular sylnpathics. with
n ferVent concern for the common
good. having as the very corner
stone OF its structure the broad HUI
man doctrine of equal rights TO
every man; special privileges to
none The Democratic party Is a
party of constitutional government,
clinging firmly to the faith of its
immutablc in it's belief
that the best governments of tho
earth are those which derive their
just powers from the consent of tho
and the best contented
people those who enjoy the blessings
of life and liberty and the pursuit
constraintS or restraints Of purely
power.
With these principles and this
record. the Democratic party of Vir-
Binia confidently appeals to the
people of the State and nation for