The diamond drill., 1921-03-12
SEN.MORIARTrs ADDRESS AT CON-
vENTION WIDELY COMMENTED ON
SOLDIERS ARE FORGOTTEN
Michigan Republican Comments
at Great Length on The Signlf-
icance of The Address

Senator Moriarty's speech, announc
ing the withdrawal OF Mr.. Burridge'
candidacy, at the recent state repub
lican convention has been widel,
commented upon. None Of the com
ments have hit the mark so square
ly as the one by Robert G. Murphy ii
the State Republican which we re
print herewith.
There is something deeper, some
thing bigger, somthing grander in IN,
recent convention OF Michigan Repub
licans in Detroit. than the fact that q
was the only Single session" and har.
mony-famous convention in the party's
history. Michael II. Moriarty OF Cry.
stal Falls, in an appeal for greater
recognition to the men who served
America, Michigan, Igham county Ian.
sing, as we'll as every other commun-
ity. hamlet or crossroads in this
great nation OF ours. sounded a warn
ing and sent home message that has
given all who heard him food for much
thought
The fact that Mr.. Moriarty gave this
appeal voluntarily made the message
all the more wonderful; all the more
noble; all the more genuine. He made
his plea, not in play for politics I;
not In the hope of gaining something;
not because he had anything 10 ask.
He asked nothing-in fact he gave
something, for he gave up his desire
to win the nomination OF highway
commissioner for his service-man
candidate, A. L. Burridge. He wanted
nothing OF the delegates in convention.
not even Burridge's nomination. He
only advanced the suggestion that
future conventions keep ever In mind
the service rendered by the men who
wore the u. S. uniform in the late
world war.
The more we reviewed the appeal
of 'Merciful Mike" Moriarty. the deep
er we became wrapped In the thought
OF whether Michigan has paid its most
important debt. We wondered how
much longer Michigan could go on
ward with the attitude toward SER
vice men that we're all squared up"
We wondered how much longer Mich
igan could face these men with ?
mot guilty" attitude and guilty"
conscience. We wondered how long II
would be until Michigan woke up and
paid its debts.
In conventions held I'm Michigan
since the armistice put the quietus on
the mechanical hell" over there, the
service men have not been weighted
down with favors from either political
party II is now. however. too late TO
start recognizing that these men have
something coming. and somebody get
busy somewhere and see that IL mat
erialzes.
In the legislature now in session IN
Lansing there has been proposed leg
islation whereby all service men will
receive compensation On proportion
to the number OF months In service
OF their country. To make this law
effective. Il Is estimated that 10000
900 will be needed. While the sum Is
especially with the state
treasury in It's present near-bankrupt
condition. $50 .000. 900 or twice $4,000
900 wouldn't begin TO pay half the
service rendered by the men who went
to war from Michigan.
To spread the sum OF $4,000 900
as direct tax levy. would OF course.
be out OF the question In It's impracti-
cability. but there must be ways-for
instance a bonding proposition where
by this could be handled without maxi
ing Il too much OF burden on the
tax payer. That, however, Is a mat
ter that must DE worked out by the |
legislators
This will put Michigan. IN a feeble !
light at least. towards making an Ell
ort 10 pay part OF dts debt. Bui what
about the men who returned minus |
limb or arm. or who are mnined for |
life? Doesn't Michigan owe even a
greater debt TO those2 Is the iegisIat
ure making an effort TO work out
some plan wherein these men will be
And there is still another class.
Those men who didn't come back.
Those men who left happy homes and
happy families TO go more than 5000 /
miles away. only to fall IN line OF duty |
and consecrate the soil Of France
with the precious blood OF Michigan.
reared men. The debt Michigan owes
.hcse men can never be repaid direct
y. They are sleeping IN the sleep Of |