Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-08-31
ROBINSON'S ACCEPTANCE SPEECH

cut the United States is being concNn-
trat>d on political affairs to degree
Of intensity never before known
Voters arc interested, not alone in the
problems and issues with which the
campaign is expected to deal, but also
in the personal characteristics OF the
candidates,
The preliminary events Of the contest
indicate that in order 10 avoid bitter
ness the leaders on both sides must dis
NAV a Senye Of Justice and fairness by
refusing to become the bcneflciaries Of
political influences and processes which
they themselves are unwilling n en-
nlov. In this way, and in no other, may
The nelson's of SANDER and libel be
countsracted end overcome.
This auadrennial political contest for
which our elective system Is notable
presents an inspiring spectacle when
conducted in accordance with high
! standards Of ethics No better evil
icncr can be produced OF the Soundness
Of the Democratic theory of govern
ment than recognition of the right Of
the people 70 govern themselves through
the selection of official representatives,
Mum nrous political Scrpents arc hiss
ING in the dark and striking from cover.
end with vcnomouS malice seek to
poison the thoughts and arouse the
prejudice of these who will decide issues
Of far-reaching Importance.
Sound public policy encourage full,
frank and fearless discussion Of issues
and records. 1t diScountenances mis-
representation perverSion and false
hood No end aimed at by an individ
ual or political organization can
Justify the secret or open employment
Of corrupt or otherwise dishonorRble
means Tho spokesman of party has
the outv 10 tell the whole truth and
iS justified in urging conclusions which
/ his conscience approves. however dis
! tasteful or harmful they may be to the
opposition. He proves himself un-
worthy IL he knowingly accepts ad
vantage from falsehood. even though
not uttered or inspired by himself
In the hope that frankness. sincerity
snd fairness may govern throughout
the campaign. and that they may be
tempered By the spirit Of charity which
constitutes the Sublimest attribute Of
our Christian civilization. the discus
sion Of thu measures at issue is entered
upon in the belief that the wisdom of
! the voters will correctly and Justly de-
eide between the two great parties
which present their candidates and
platforms
! 1t will not be practicable in this sd-
dress to touch upon all of the issues
raised. Many subjects Of Importance
necessarily arc reserved for comment
hereafter
Democratic Agricultural Policy
/ Perhaps the most important issue in
this campaign arises out of the atti-
tude OF the two ma ior parties toward
! th> problems affecting agriculture.
Both platforms recognize the dis
tressod condition Of the industry. and
embrace promises. the relative value of
which is apparent from comparison OF
( IN" two announcements.
The Republican platform on the
, subject Of farm relief is not readily
disfingushable from that Of 1924
pledging the party TO take whatever
steps are necessary 10 bring back q bal
anced condition between agriculture. in
dustry and labor"
The farm problem had appeared In
+ December Of 1921. when President
Harding requested the former Secre-
tarv Of Agriculture. Mr. Wallace. 10 call
conference. The conference was
hei3 in January. 1923. and a resolu-
ton adopted calling upon the President
and the Congress to take such steps
as would immediately re-estabiigl1
iair exchange value for ell farm prod
ucts with that Of all other commodi-
ties"
The Secretary of Agriculture. MIR.
Wallace, took the lead In the prepare
ton of measure which has become
widely known as the McNary- Haugsn
bill. Prior to the national conventions
Of 1924 It was defeated in the House Of
Representatives. and consequently was
not considered by the Senate during
that session
This was the situation when the
promise Of 1924 wss made by the Re-
publican party to take whatever steps
are necessary In bring back balanced
condition between agriculture. indus
try and labor.
To regain the confidence NJ the
millions Of voters who experienced dis.
appointment In the failure of his party
10 keep It's pledge, President Coolidge
announced during the campaign of
1924 that he would call an AGRICULTURAL
conference to consider legislation for
the next session of Congress.
The first report OF this conference
vas transmitted by the President to
the Congress January %. 1925 en-
brscing the following amazing recon-
mendations.
There must therefore. BIZ establish
/ er balanced American agriculture BY
which production is kept i'm step with
the demand Of domestic markets and
with only such foreign markets as NAV
be profitable"
Thus originated the doctrine OF which
Mr.. Herbert Hoover Republican nomi-
nee for President. became a champion
mat agricultural production should ha
limited 10 the demands Of our domestic
markets
This report also contained recon-
i mendations which the President strong
ly approved for legislation on the sub
jet Of cooperative marketing.
The legislation suggested followed the
general line OF the Cspner- Williams bill
{ recommended by Mr. Hoover. II met
with opposition from all the principal
, farm organizations. and was defeated In
I the House However. another co-opera.
/ tive marketing bill was passed.
One NJ the principal distinctions be-
/ tween the two measures is that the ad-
ministration bill placed cooperative
marketing associations under Govern
n1ent control while the bill which
| passed the House gave the co-oneratives
/ certain Government assistance With
! self-control. The latter bill was never
brought 10 vote In the Senate
I Bill Modified
In the short session Of Congress which
( expired March 4. 924. the McNary-
Haugen bill, modified, was reported by
/ the committees on agriculture In both
the House and the Senate, but did not
/ come to vote in either body
In the Pacific Rurslist Of February
/ Z, 1924, Secretary Hoover. outlining his
views on the agricultural question
! said.
Generally the fundamental need il
/ balancing Of agricultural production
/ N our home demand"