The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1925-03-04
6 RANT

home. Since it's very outset, it has
been found necessary to conduct our
Government by means of political
parties. That system would not
have survived from generation to
generation if it had not been funda-
mentally sound and provided the best
instrumentalities for the most COM
plete expression of the popular will.
1t is not necessary to claim that it
has always worked perfectly. 1t is
enough to know that nothing better
has been devised. No one would de-
ny that there should be full and free
expression and an opportunity for
independence of action within the
party. There is no salvation in a
narrow and bigoted partisanship. But
if there is to be responsible party
government, the party label must be
something more than mere device
for securing office. Unless those
who are elected under the same par
ty designation are willing to assume
sufficient responsibility and exhibit
sufficient loyalty and conference, so
that they can operate with each 9th
err in the support of the broad gen
eral principles Of the party platform,
the election is merely mockery, no
decision is made at the polls, and
there is mo representation Of the
popular will. Common honesty and
good faith with the people who sup
port party at the polls require that
party, when it enters office, to as
sumo the control of that portion Of
the Government to which it has been
elected. Any other course is bad
faith and a violation of the party
pledges.
when the country has bestowed
it's confidence upon a party by max
ing it majority in the Congress, it
has right to expect such unity of
action as will make the party ma
jority an effective instrument of
government. This administration has
come into power with very clear
and definite mandate from the peo-
pie. The expression of the popular
will in favor of maintaining our con-
stitutional guarantees was over
whelming 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. Likewise, the policy
of public ownership Of railroads and
certain electric utilities met with un-
mistakable defeat. The people de-
clared that they wanted their rights
to have not a political but q judicial
determination, and their independ-
ence and freedom continued and sup
ported by having the ownership and,
control of their property, not in the
Government, but in their own hands
As they always do when they have Il
fair chance, the people demonstra-
ted that they are sound and are de-
termined to have sound govern
ment.
Policy of Economy
"When we turn from what was re-
jected to inquire what was accept
ed, the policy that stands out with
the greatest clearness is that of
economy in public expenditure with
reduction and reform of taxation. The
principle involved in this effort is
that Of conservation. The resources
of this country are almost beyond
computation. No mind can compre-
bend them. But the cost of our COM
bined governments is likewise almost
beyond definition. Not only those
who are now making their tax re-
turns, but those who meet the en-
HANGED cost of existence in their
monthly bills, know by hard expert
ence what this great burden is and
what it does. No matter what others
may want, these people want dras-.
tic economy. They are opposed to
waste. They know that extravaganza
lengthens the hours and diminishes
the rewards of their labor. l favor
the policy of economy, not because
wish to save money, but because
wish to save people. The men and
women of this country who toll are
the ones who bear the cost of the
Government. Every dollar that we
carelessly waste means that their
life will be so much the more meag-
err. Every dollar that we prudently
save means that their life will be so
much the more abundant. Economy
is idealism in it's most practical
form.
"If extravaganza were not reflect
ed 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
nations. this country is best in po-
sition to adopt that simple remedy.
We do not any longer need wartime
revenues. The collection Of any tax
es which are not abs olutely required,
which do not beyond reasonable doubt
contribute to the public welfare, is
only 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
necessity. The property of the coun-
try belongs to the people Of the coun-
try. 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 pub
lie employees. They are not required
to make any contribution to Govern
ment expenditures except that which
afs. HI ri e.