The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-05-22
Democratic Nominee for
Short Term Makes His
: Opening Pledge.
FOR SENSIBLE TARIFF
Sees Danger in CentraIiza-
ton of Power.


Democratic nominee for short.term
United States Senator from Indiana,
stood before the voters today pledged
to make these tests of each piece of
legislation before him. should he
be elected:
]. Does it propose to do some
thing for the people which they
can do for themselves?
2. Does it propose something
which the States could lust as
well handle?
3. Does it propose to benefit
some citizens at the expense of
others?
This pledge was made by Woollen
in his first address of the campaign
before the Indiana Democratic Edi-
torial Association here Friday night.
Woollen expressed gratitude to the
Hoosicr press for it's generosity and
to Democrats for the honor done
him.
Desk Is Closed
BE assured that my gratitude is
earnest and great" he said. In re-
turn l will give until election all
my time and all my strength. l do
not await the formal opening of
the campaign. Already my desk is
closed and I am on the way. de-
termined to abate nothing of en-
deavor to reach the goal in victory" ="
Il shall base my hope of victory
on plain statement of what the peo-
pie may expect from me in the Sen.
ate. They may expect that every
vote will be cast only after 1 have
asked myself and answered three
questions.
1.-THE first question is this: Is
il proposed by this legislation to
do something beyond assuring to
the people peace, order and secur-
ity; is it proposed TO do something
for the people which they can do
for themselves?
If so, I shall be in opposition
for 1 am convinced that our coun-
try needs the unremitting applica-
ton to all legislative proposals Of
the Democratic principle OF mini
mum government.
"The principe may be thus stated:
That government is best which con-
sistently with the orderly process of
society governs least. That prin-
ciple is basic is a democracy for a
democracy is more concerned that
the people shall be strong and free
than that the government shall null
tiply its activities i'm caring for the
people. The people can be strong
and free only as they. without tres
pass on others, go unhindered their
own ways. self-reliantly seeking
their own welfare and paying the
penalties for their own mistakes.
Paternalistic government, be it
never so efficient. is a weakening
government. 1t weakens the fibre
Of the people. This is doctrine that
we have from jefferson. If we do
not accept It, IL We look to govern
ment to do for us what we can do
for ourselves. we are not Democrats.
Farm Taxes Doubled
Disregard Of this principle OF
minimum government has brought
us to the point where every ten
producers support an eleventh in de.
tendency or public office. The names
on the public payroll Of this coun-
try number two and quarter
millions. Government cost us in
1924 ten and a quarter billion
dollars, three and a half times the
cost in the year before the war. The
tax bill Of the farmer whose ills are
much on our minds has been more
than doubled In eight years.
Government costs. The cost is
paid from a public treasury that
has in it nothing which does not
go into it from our own pockets.
We complain of taxes. The way to
reduce is to reduce government.
''We complain of taxes and go on
enlarging government.
The enlargement is in two forms.
First, Legislatures, national and
State, are enlarging government by
multitudinous laws which lessen
directly the liberty of the people.
New statutes, enacted by the Sixty.
Eighth Congress and by State Legis-
latures in two years numbered 70 900.
Second. Legislatures, even more
dangerously. are enlarging govern.
ment and lessening indirectly the
liberty of the people by the delega-
ton of authority to bureaus and
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