The Republican., 1925-03-05

port a party at the polls require that
party, when it enters office, to assume
the control of that portion of the Gov
ernment to which it has been elected
Any other course is bad faith and a
violation of the party pledges.
When the country has bestowed its
confidence upon a party by making it
a majority in the Congress, it has a
right to expect such unity of action
as will make the party majority an
effective instrument of government.
This administration has come into
power with a very clear and definite
mandate from the people. The ex-
preston of the popular will in favor
Of maintaining our constitutional
guarantees was overwhelming and
decisive. There was a manifestation
of such faith in the integrity of the
courts that we can consider that issue
rejected for some time to come. Like
wise, the policy of public ownership
of railroads and certain electric utili-
ties met with unmistakable defeat.
The people declared that they wanted
their rights to have not a political
but judicial determination and their
independence and freedom continued
and supported by having the owner
ship and control of their property,
not in the Government, but in their
own hands. AS they always do when
they have a fair chance, the people
demonstrated that they are sound and
determined to have a sound govern
ment.
When we turn from what was re-
iected to inquire what was accepted,
the policy that stands out with the
greatst clearnes is that of economy
in public expenditure with reduction
and reform of taxation. The princ!-
pie involved in this effort is that Of
conservation. The resources of this
country are almost beyond computa-
ton. No mind can comprehend them.
But the cost of our combined govern
ments is likewise almost beyond def
milton. Not only those who are now
making their tax returns, but those
who meet the enhanced cost of eX-
istence in their monthly bills, know
by hard experience what this great
burden is and what it does. No mat
ter what others may want, these peo-
pie want a drastic economy. They are
opposed to waste. They know that
extravaganza lengthens the hours and
diminishes the rewards Of their labor.
favor the policy of economy, not be-
cause | wish to save money, but be-
cause l wish to save people. The men
and women Of this country who toll
arc the ones who bear the cost of the
O. eminent. Every dollar that we
carelessly waste means that their life
will be so much the more meager.
Every dollor that we prudently save
means that their life will be so much
the more abundant. Economy is
idealism in its most practical form.
If extravaganza were not reflected
in taxation, and through taxation
both directly and indirectly injuri-
ously affecting the people, it would
not be of so much consequence. The
wisest and soundest method of solv.
ing our tax problem is through econ
omy. Fortunately, Of all the great ma
tions this country is best in position
to adopt that simple remedy. We do
not any longer need wartime revive
nues. The collection of any taxes
which are not absolutely required,
which do not beyond reasonable doubt
contribute to the public welfare, is
only a species of legalized larceny.
Under this Republic the rewards Of
industry belong to those who earn
them. The only constitutional tax is
the tax which ministers to public ne
cessity. The property Of the country
belongs to the people of the country.
Their title is absolute. They do not
support any privileged class; they do
not need to maintain great military
forces; they ought not to be burdened
with a great array of public employ
ees. They are not required to make
any contribution to Government ex-
penditures except that which they
voluntarily assess upon themselves
through the action of their own rep
resentatives. Whenever taxes become
burdensome remedy can be applied
by the people; but if they do not act
for themselves, no one can be very
successful in acting for them.
The time is arriving when we can
have further tax reduction, when, un-
less we wish to hamper the people in
their right to earn a living, we must
have tax reform. The method of
raising revenue ought not to impede
the transaction of business; it ought
to incOurage it. l am opposed to ex-
tremely high rates, because they pro-
duce little or no revenue, because they
are bad for the country, and finally,
because they are wrong. We can not
finance the country, we can not i'm
prove social conditions, through any
system Of injustice, even if we at
tempt to inflict it upon the rich.
Those who suffer the most harm will
be the poor. This country believes
in prosperity. 1t is absurd to sup
pose that it is envious of those who
are already prosperous. The wise
and correct course to follow in tax
alton and all other economic legis-
lation is not to destroy those who
have already secured success but to
create conditions under which every
one will have better chance to be
successful. The verdict of the coun-
try has been given on this question.
That verdict stands. We shall do well
to heed it.
These questions involve moral is
sues. We need not concern ourselves
much about the rights of property if
we will faithfully observe the rights