Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-08-12
MR.. DAVIS ACCEPTS

The speech Of acceptance deliver
fd by John w. Davis at Clarksburg,
west Virginia. last evening may not
prove isappoint!ng. Already It was
certain that he had adopted the slog-
On suggested by Governor Smith OF
New York to treat EN- rough" This
Tdr. Davis did In pleasing phraseol-
ogy adapted rather TO campaign pur-
roses than to giving the public reli-
able information.
As a lawyer. vocation in which
Mr.. Davis has shonc and at which
he has accumulated a goodly supply
OF worldly gear. he knows that an
ORGY Of malicious gossip was indulg-
ed in by the investiga tors. that the
efforts Of certain men on that quest
were directed rather 10 producing po-
litfcsl effect than to getting at the
facts.
That certain facts OF evident cor
ruption were brought to light no one
doubts. that investiG CATION of the
right sort was needed. that the ad-
ministration is by every means with
in It's power trying 10 ascertain the
facts and fix the guilt. that protests
were not against investigation but
against methods, as a lawyer Mr..
Davis well knows this TO be true.
But It is a truth suppressed in his
speech. AS n candidate in the po-
litical arena he yields himself to
Hn
condemns the Republican party and
leaves tho inference. which he is
Eareful not to put In direct state
ment that the administration from
the President down is involved. That
IL politics OF tho treat 'em rough"
method. that is the attitude OF John
w. Davis as he plays politics.
He condemns unqualihedly the ex
listing tariff. This was to be expect
ed. That is what every candidate OF
the Democratic party Is supposed to
do. and Mr.. Davis would not now dis
appoint them. He Is grleved that
our merchant marine Is not bringing
IN enough foreign goods. made in for
elAu ldCNOEIco At AoLSiku Wages
There are many. including somein-
tellIgent Democrats who are not so
grievod.
Democrats there have been who
have recognized the benefits OF the
present tariff. One has not hesitat
ed 10 declare: The farmers should
not be deceived by these politicians
who are telling them that this law
gives no benefit' He does not want
tor return to the Democratic tariff.
Mr.. Davis does. and the party that
disaErees with him is a party OF
corruption and special privilege"
lie condemns the discord and d.
vision in Congress. There are
grounds for this condemnation and
Republicans should take them to
heart. But were the Republicans the
only offenders? Go back in mind to
the spectacle OF Democrats conniving
with LaFollette to produce this dis
coTd--not because IL would help the
country. they knew better. but be-
cause they hoped II would help DEM
ocratic chances in this next election.
They strove not for democracy. but
for the Democratic party, and Mr..
Davis would endeavor TO get the po-
liucal benefit Of it,
Then there is the foreign policy.
Out Of the chaos produced when n
Democratic President refused to CO.
operate with a Republican Senate
and would not yield an iota in his
plan for a League OF Nations Re-
publican administrations have found
ways OF rendering invaluable assist
ance. II has been done without in
>o1ving this country in their do
mesti1 problems. 1t commands the
respect Of the most enlightened OF
the foreign peoples. II has the COM
mendation Of no less than the preni-
Ser of Great Britain, yet for 1t Mr..
Davis has no commentator. That
would not be treating 'em rough.
He says the rights" Of labor must
not be impaired" by injunction. Who
has said they should be? He would
cure the Ills of the farmer Ny free
trade. Does the farmer like that
. sort Of medicine? Do the wool
growers. the cotton growers. the beet
sugar growers, TO mention some OF
them. want free trade? Do the fac
tory operatives watching German
labor getting ready TO produce
cheaply for the markets Of the world
want a Democratic tariff to come to
thu rescue OF Germany? II they do,
they better vote for Mr.. Davis and
learn by experience.
He says the farmer is entitled to
transportation at reasonable rates.
So he is but Mr.. Davis doesn't tell
uswhat reasonable rates should be,
and isn't likely TO do SO. He says
taxes should be reduced. but he
hasn't fought his party united with
LaEolletians and disgruntled Repub-
sicsns to secure II. Calvin Coolidge
has, and the tight has just begun and
advantage has been gained. He be-
iieves in the League Of Nations, but
evidently is not concerned by feat
That usless we rush in the world will
be doomed. He is willing to wal,
for the people to say what they