Imperial Valley press., 1924-08-22
Davis Address
Challenge to Pres.
On Klan Question
fContinned from page y


I, views on the subject which he j:
making the paramount issue of the
Democrats.
/ "Whar is honesty in govern
ment9'' he asked. "Honestv in
I the handling of public funds and
the public property, of course. But
it is something more.
1T is eandoT and fair dealing:
! and impar:iality and the transac
tion of the public business in the
open in broad daylight without dis
guise or pretense or evasion. 1t is
the playing of no favorites, wheth
er in making public contracts or in
writing laws.
On Equal Basis
1t is the treating of all classes
and all sections of the country on
an equal basis. 1t is the avoidance
of secrecy and whispering and
sharp practise in the management
of public affairs
'.Some Republicans hold that if
a political party has placed and
kept corrupt men in office it s re-
sponsibility is over when a prosecu-
tion is begun said Davis. "We
insist that unless political parties
are held to political responsibility,
party government will become a
farse and failure.
.They outwardly, deplore special
privilege, except in the sacred guise
of protective tariff. We oppose
it in this and every other form.
"They believe the Fordney-Me-
Cumber act is beyond reproach. We
say it is an outrageous imposition
on the consuming public.
''They believe, or profess to be-
lieve, that agriculture should be on
an economic basis with other indus
tries. They have no plans to this
end but the appointment of COM
mittees to investigate and advise
that the farmer provide himself
with leaders not interested in po-
iitics. We think that the first
step to economic equality is to de-
prive others of their unjust ad-
rantages.
To Speak For Self
"Thev are content to conduct
the foreign affairs of the United
States through private citizens,
We think America is great enough
to speak in her own name.
"They propose now, after nearly
four years of absolute inaction, to
enroll the United States as MEM
Der of a court of international jus
tiee. We promise to do so as soon
as power is III our hands.
"They present party made up
of president facing in one diree-
tion congres sin another and the
rank and file scattered in between.
We have a harmonious army, officer
and privates, marching to common
end
Referring 10 the Republican at
titude toward the oil and veterans
b"reau scandals, Davis declared
that those who would overlook such
things "assume a degree of indif-
ference or lack of interest on
the part of the people which would
be itself a ratification upon pop
ular government.
Refers to President
While declaring that he would
not make a campaign of PERSONAL
ties, Davis referred to the Presi-
dent s statement that the 'oniy
practical way TO secure responsible
political action is by the formation
of parties,r as ground for holding
the Republican party responsible
for the scandals IN the administra-
tion.
81 think / detect in some quar-
ters hope that without change of
name or much of a personal re-or-
ganization of certain political
concern can be effected, taking over
any diseoverable assets and repu-
dating alr unpleasant liabilities, y
he said. "My experience as law
yer has taught me that creditors
rarely satisfied with this eovenient
method of eancelling their claims.
"If the fact is that the public
resources have been squandered, is
it any answer TO say that bud
get system has been installed' IT
unfit and corrupt men have been
put and kept in office and left to
their own devices, is it sufficient
defense that the administration was
not actually desirous of dishones-