The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-08-14
''G.0.P., USES
TRICKERY'-
! COX CHARGE
'"'Work Behind Smoke
Screen to Fool People"
Nominee Declares.

Wheeling. W. Va, Aug. 14.-Gov-
ernor Cox today opened fire on his
Republican opposition charging its
leadership with attempted trick
cry" Of the American people in op-
posing the League of Nations and
with conducting campaign behind
"a smoke screen" of deception.
THAT a powerful combination Of
interests is now attempting to buy
government CONTROL" also was as
serted by the Democratic presiden-
tial candidate charging that mil
lions and millions" were being
raised in senate contributions.
The governor loosed his attack
in an address here at the West vir-
ginia convention. It was his first
vigorous assault on the Republi-
cans and was to be followed to-
night by another address made to
the general public.
Asails Senate Oligarchy.
Although advocacy of the League
of Nations, which the governor de-
clared was "the greatest movement
Of righteousness in the history of
the world" was the main theme Of
the address, he also attacked again
the Republican senatorial oil
garchy.
The Democrats, he added. present
q cause Of constructive, progress
sive, economic service in peace"
and promise definitely saving of
$4,000, 100000 annually in govern
ment expenses.
Duty to Civilization.
"A grave responsibility rests
With the Democratic party" said
Governor Cox. Through its poll
cies and conduct it must render
good faith in behalf of the nation,
of the soldiers of the war, and to
our allies who helped to achieve
victory. It is purely a matter of
concluding a duty to civilization,
and doing it as quickly as prudent
consideration Of our country's in
terest suggests.
Leadership in a great moral
question has been given to the De-
mocracy, for the simple reason
that senatorial oligarchy, which for
the time being has assumed con-
troll Of the Republican party, has
abandoned the idealism Of other
days.
Says Repubs Trick People.
I'VE shall call attention to the
delinquent attitude in which this
country has been placed by sena-
torial intrigue and to the very defin-
lite program Of action we pledge.
The platform Of our party gives
US the opportunity to render moral
cooperation in the greatest move
ment OF righteousness in the his
tory Of the world, and at the same
time to hold our own interests free
from peril. Our position is plain.
The circumstances in the last IS
months vonvicts the Republican
leadership of attempted trickery Of
the American people. Under one
pretext after another, they pre-
vented the readjustment Of national
conditions. They proposed certain
reservations to the League Of Ma
tions, and then they were aban-
doned, to be followed by nothing
more definite than the announce
ment Of q 'hGpe' that an entirely
new instrument might be made in
world affairs. What method that
they have in mind, not concretely
In anyone's mind, the people do not
know.
Work Behind Smoke Screen.
"1n the face of an efficient Demo
cratic leadership during the war,
and OF constructive, progressive,
economic service In peace, the Re-
publican leaders developed a smoke
serene. behind which they seek to
gain their objective, the epoils Of
once. For years the best thought
and the humanitarian impulses Of
civilized countries have been ap-
piled to the high purpose Of making
war practically impossible The
League OF Nations became the COM
posite agreement, and now the SEN
atorial oligarchy meets it with the
absurd plea that it increases the
possibility Of armed conflict"
Declaring for square dealing be-
tween men and no preference under
government" Governor Cox warned
against distortion of the basic
principles Of the government, and
added:
Trying toby Control Of q s.
A powerful combination Of in
tefests is now attempting to buy
government control. They are rails
Ing millions and millions Of dollars
into q campaign fund.
1t Is being employed now to
arouse racial dfscontent, to breed
unrest and to befog the public
mind. The pEohlam II based ON
greed and seifnshness. and II suc-
cessful. viii result IN an extreme
reaction and = disordered society" {"
The proposal q the Democrats,
70 cut two Millions d. dollars -ffum
federal exnamaA f9nRne~n@ Ne .>aA