Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1920-09-02
EIZZIIEn

1t Is bit previous, perhaps, to
draw conclusions from the proceed
ings before the senatorial committee
in Chicago which is investigating
campaign expenditures Of both dom
inant political organizations. But
enough information has already been
furnished to warrant the assertion
that in his charge that the republi-
cans were trying to buy the presi-
dency," Gov. Cox has put himself in
a ridiculous position.
"Fizzled' is the term which de-
scribes the effort Of Mr.. Cox to gain
support by the baseless charges.
Homer S. Cummings, former chair
man Of the democratic national COM
mittee, admitted in his testimony on
Monday that the republicans were
raising only modest campaign
fund. He found, he said no evil
dence of corruption and no intent to
corrupt on the part OF the republic
cans. In other words, where Gov.
Cox has without substantial evidence
been spreading broadcast charges of
corruption on the part Of his oppon-
ents, the former chairman OF his
party who certainly knows much
more about the matter than Mr.. Cox
knows, gives those opponents a
clean bill.
So far the evidence Indicates
that both parties have pursued about
the same line of action in raising
money. The democrats admit having
printed something like two million
copies of congressional speech which
was franked out to the public for
". t.
sense an abuse Of privilege. But
it was nc: criminal. The speech in
question was presentation of the
democratic contention in the present
campaign. The democrats are en-
titled to hearing. 1t is their priv
ifege to present arguments In sup
port OF their contention.
The republicans have not in
similar manner abused the frankiRg
privilege to get their arguments into
the hands Of voters. But the whole
purposes of all republican effort is to
present their cause to the voters
through publicity-speeches printed
and oral, newspaper articles, bill
boards, etc.
The evidence in this case justifies
the statement that there has been
no criminal conduct ON the part OF
either national party organization.
Why, under these circumstances,
should the candidate OF one Of these
great parties forsake discussion Of
real issues to seek to poison the
minds of voters by charges of cor
ruption against his opponents which
creditable representatives OF his own
party admit are absolutely without
foundation? Does the outcome OF
this investigation indicate breadth OF
vision and craftsmanship capacity on
the part of Mr.. Cox? Where out
side Of what we know, in this coun-
try as ward politics do you find can
didates pitching their keynote argu-
ment on such a basis as Cox has
placed his campaign?
For a week now we have been led
to believe, according to the speeches
of Mr.. Cox, that we should elect him
to the office of president because the
wicked republicans are gathering
mint of money-thirty millions, If
teen millions eight millions-the es-
timateed sum differ-with which to
accomplish his defeat Now 1t de-
velops that his whole argument in
information. There Is literally
nothing in this line Of talk.
1t remains for the voters to pass
judgment in this case. II the busi-
ness of this country and tits foreign
relations were handled as loosely by
Mr.. Cox in the Office Of president az
he is handling his political campaign
we should certainly find ourselves in
stew most OF the time II he were
elected. BY contrast Mr.. Harding
is demonstrating greater capacity as
man of vision and good judgment.
So far in the campaign he has not at
tempted to poison the minds OF the
voters with a charge of corruption
against his opponents. He is seek
ing to present the republican view OF
national issues in clean and COM
prehensive anner.-Nonpariel.