Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1922-09-29
Democratic Platform.

through the test Of time. to be the best
safeguards of the freedom and the rights
Of the people Of this republic.
In period Of world unrest, Of social and
economic disorders. OF demagogic appeals
to class prejudices, it is vital that we ap-
proach the solution of the grave problems
confronting the country in spirit the
utmost loyalty to the free institutions
created and guaranteed by the Constitu-
ton and laws of the land.
Recognizing that relationship between
capital labor and agricultural interests are
ever changing, in keeping with the devel-
opment of modern civilization, we never
theless adhere unalterably to the necessity
for preserving unimpaired the freedom of
our executive. lawmaking and judicial
bodies from the intimidation or control
by selfish influences. to the end that there
shall always be equal rights for all and
special privileges for none.
We, therefore. condemn the record Of the
present Republican Congress. By its fail
struction program submitted by Demo-
cratic Administration. the Republican
Congress is directly responsible for the
great industrial depression through which
the country is now passing.
A Democratic Congress established a
Tariff Commission for the purpose Of TAX
ing the tariff out of politics and putting
import duties on a scientific and equitable
basis. The present Republican Congress
has put the tariff back into politics. 1t has
disgracefully yielded to special interests in
the passage Of tariff bill imposing bur
den Of more than $3.000,000,000 an
nually on the people Of the country and
increasing the already too high cost Of
living. The crowning iniquity of the Re-
publican tariff bill is the provision which
vests in the President the power and
authority to change the rates fixed by Con-
eress. This surrender of the taxing power
to the Chief Executive is confession of
incompetence on the part Of the Republi-
can Congress. cowardly evasion Of its
responsibility and scheme which will make
il easy for the Republican party to do in
the secrecy Of the Presidential Office what
the Senate and House Of Representatives
lacked courage to do in the open. In adj
dition. this provision Of the tariff bill will
cause uncertainty in the business world,
the harmful results of which cannot be
foreseen.
The State Of Maryland is proud Of its
system Of improved roads A Democratic
Congress passed and a Democratic Presi-
dent approved the first Good Roads law,
under which 500. 100000 was distributed
annually to the States for aid in construct
ing improved post roads. The Republican
Congress, despite its lavish expenditures
on other projects of doubtful value. has
reduced the appropriation for aid in con-
structing improved roads for the present
fiscal year to $5O.000.000 In addition,
the Republican Congress attempted to take
away from the States the power of initial
ing Federal-aided road projects and pro-
posed the creation of an expensive Federal
commission with full control over subject
of such Importance to the individual States.
THE proposition aroused such storm Of
disapproval. during which the State OF
Maryland took the lead in voicing a strong
protest. that it was defeated.
The Republicans promised the nation
prosperity; they have given il adversely.
They promised TO reduce taxes. Taxes
have been shifted. not lifted, The rich
man pays less; the poor man pays more.
They promised to stimulate agriculture.
The farmer today is mortgaging his next
years crops in order to live. The Repub-
licans promised to revive business and
industry. They brought on an industrial
panic. They promised employment to labor
at good wages. There have been as many
as 100000 idle men at one time since
the Harding administration came into
Office. and the cost Of living has not ma
terially decreased. With an overwhelming
majority in both houses Of Congress, and
a Republican President, the Republican
party has floundered for two years with
out leadership and without a program
blasting the hopes Of its own adherents
and failing in every direction to produce
q vestise of the constructive program il
promised the people. Its record Of broken
promises. untitled pledges and shameless
catering to interests inimical to the wei
fare Of the nation merits its defeat.
We especially condemn the record Of
Senator Joseph Irwin France, who now
seeks reelection at the hands of the peo-
pie Of Maryland. Senator France stand s
for neither Democracy nor Republicanism,
he having repudiated his own party, and
having been repudiated by the best thought
of his own party. He has consorted with
people who lack sympathy for, il they are
not actually opposed to. the institutions Of
our Government. He has advanced probe
of such fantastic nature that they have
not received serious consideration even
from the members OF his own party.
He has occupied his time in aiding and
abetting a communistic government which
openly seeks to overthrow this and all
other organized governments by revolu-
tionary means This he has done so vocif-
erously and at such length that it has been
difficult at times to tell whether he was
acting as an Ambassador from Soviet
Russia or as a United States Senator from
Maryland.
The filibuster conducted by Senator
France and associates in the last days
Of a session Of Congress cost his own State
millions Of dollars in appropriations. His
enforced retirement from the Senate by
the voters at the next election will afford
relief to all Of the people.
We reiterate our belief. expressed in the
platform adopted by us in 1920, that the
Iaw-abiding citizens Of the United States
will never be satisfied with the VOstead