Vashon Island news-record. [volume] (Vashon, Wash.) 1919-1954, 1920-06-24

not like to have some leisure for
a little fishing and JOY ride
occasionally, or dress up and visit
neighbors to discuss matters OF
mutual interest by daylight in
stead of after dark with a lantern
if not, why notY
One of the most momentous
and far reaching unanimous de-
cisions has just been handed down
by the Supreme Court of the
United States, whereby the right
of the State Of North Dakota has
beef confirmed to own and oper-
ate public utilities, such as the
State Bank, Elevators, Flour Mills
and house building at cost. The
seven contested laws had been up
held by the highest State Courts
and were all declared constitu-
tional by the United States SUI
preme Court. This ruling not
only effects North Dakota but
every state in the Union and when
we have similar laws in Washing.
ton we will not have to pay sever
al profits on feed, etc. to the spec
ulators. 1t is a matter Of vital
interest to all.
That was well written letter
| by Mrs. Hammerquist in the last
issue Of the News Record, the kind
of a letter an educated person
writes, without malice or rancour.
Nevertheless, to clear up any mis-
apprehension as to my standing
with respect to conscientious OBJ
jectors. First, the war has been
over nearly two years and it is
customary to extend amnesty to
that class of persons as soon as a
war is over.Secondly, the principal
nations concerned in the late war,
outside of this country, have long
since granted amnesty, not only
to conscientious DIRECTORS, but al
so to actual opposers, and on that
account we show up by contrast
very unfavorably in the world S
eyes. Personally | am not a con-
scientious objector to all war.
Early in the war | realized that
however much opposed to the
slaughter and miseries of war |
was, it was necessary in this case
10 join the Allies to, as an English
officer puts, save our skins, if for
no higher motive. To me it was
unthinkable that we should hold
aloof and tamely let the Allies be
beaten, perhaps too, in turn, tame
lily submit to the yoke of the Ger
man war lords. And more than
that, | was of the opinion, and so
stated openly, that we ought to
have declared war Immediately
following the sinking of the Lusi-
tania. As to the motives Of the
conscientious DIRECTORS, do not
think for moment that it was
due to cowardice, towards and
slackers are a class to themselves
and either skulked out of the
country or gave in when caught,
more than doubt whether there
are any of that particular class
now in prison. | think it takes a
very high order of courageous
conviction to face a sentence of
| up to 1G years for conscience
sake. AS to my declared intention
to vote for Debs, | do so for the
following reasons: First, for the
mans indomitable courage in
what he believes is right. Second,
because while in common with
many others | do not hold with
his ideas of never fighting under
any circumstances, yet, | am in
sympathy with many of his eco
nomic ideas and it is safe bet
that if he were president it would
make war more difficult. Third,
My vote will be in the nature of
a protest against his political enc
mics now in power and some of
whom are contesting the presi-
dency with him. Lastly, in spite
of the foregoing, | do not think
for an instant that Debs will be
elected and would have wished
that all progressive persons, by
whatever name they might call
themselves would have united to
cast their votes for some man of
known liberal and progressive
ideas, so that we could have given
the country in particular and the
world in general a decided push
towards, well, shall we say itY
(the millenium).
Yours respectfully,
Cove Comments.