The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1920-12-07
PROGRESSIVE AND
REACTI0NARl

REACTI0NARl
This is not political argument,
taken as political arguments go, al
though there may be a modicum OF
politics found herein, as a warp used
to hold together the woof of any
statements which may be made.
The man, no matter of what poll
teal faith, who sees that mistake
has been made, and acknowledges
the error which has been brought TO
his perception, is a broad-minded and
a progressive man. He is willing to
get away from his party's mistakes
and profit by his experience.
II, after having been advised fully
of errors made, he still clings to
former and erroneous views, he may
we think, be properly styled as re-
dictionary, classed with the reaction
aries and looked upon as a man who
is welded TO the idols Of his fathers
and who is SO narrow between the
eyes that he will not permit himself
" see any light which may be unveil-
ed before him.
For years the people Of the south
ern states opposed the protective tar
if which an indulgent government
mad thrown about the so-caned in
FAINT industries of the northern, OF
manufacturing states, arguing that
this tariff eliminated the right Of
competition upon the part OF other
countries, countries which We're stocked
with pauper labor and which could,
therefore, make industrial commodities
cheaper than could the American
artisan.
Added to the beliefs entertained rela-
tive TO the tariffs, the people Of the
south, Of the southwest and Of part
OF the west have held an ingrown
antipathy against all manner and
kinds OF big business, and sought
20 tax the big producer to the limit,
without regard to the fact that he
was the man who, with his production.
was bringing about the development
of the country through opening the
channels of commerce for the benefit
of the ones upon whom Fortune had
not smiled so lavishly.
The time has come now. however
when the thinking men and women
the ones whose votes should count in
ensuing elections, must realize that
unjust taxes, discriminatory and in
controversion Of state development
in place Of aiding in lifting the burden
from the shoulders OF the masses, ul.
timately add TO that burden through
driving capital from the state. anc
thereby, holding in allegiance The
greatest development which might
come TO rebound to the aggrandiD'
ment Of all.
States in the north which have
made the most rapid progress finan'
cially, are the states which do no
tax the natural resources and which
are the homes of protected Industries
Taking Oklahoma as u sample d
state which may come into In
creased wealth, through the unlimited
development OF its natural resources
II might be urged that much coulC
be gained through the reduction o
taxes upon It's natural and, thus far
only partially developed resources
this reduction brought about through
an equitable modification Of take
which may be considered oppressive
while the same may be said OF tn
benefits which would accrue to this
as well as to all other cotton produc
ing states by the elimination, to
great extent of the importation o
cheaply cultivated and cheaply harN
estod cotton, wheat and other agrI
cultural products.
1t may be said-in fact 1t has bec
said and shown--that the lack q
demand by foreign countries for Am
erican-raiscd cotton and other pre-
ducts OF the husbandmans skill, ha
had n great deal to do with the Stun
in all things which arc produced upo
the farms. But it might also be sale
and perhaps proven, that the climina
ton OF importation of foreign pre-
ducts at prices which are so low tina
the American producer cannot CON
pete with them, would 20 far towar
bringing the price OF the American
grown product back to a basis whic
would guarantee a profit to the pr,
ducer.
Parts OF Texas. Arizona. AiississlpI
and even Missouri produce cotto
which ranks. in quality, with tn
best product of the cheaply grow
article from the banks Of tho MI
while Egypt. IN oil it, glory, nevc
raised wheat which had the milln