Milford chronicle., 1932-05-06

00RPANOo VI SAAC CCAAlOCl dlAC 4NdllOud
Committee, former Governor ALFRED
e. Smith reminded the Democratic
leaders there assembled that the
Democratic party has been the min.
ority party for 20 years, and he con.
tinued-
i am inclined to the belief that
we are a minority party because
during all of that period we have
attempted to win national approv-
al as a rebuke to the majority
party. In other words, we seek a
negative victory rather than an af-
firmatiVe victory. We seek to ride
into power upon the mistakes of
| our opponents rather than upon
constructive achievement upon our
own part. Il This country is
sick and tired of listening to po-
litical campaign orators who tell
us what is the matter with u.s.
ION November IA, 1928, Governor
Smith in nationwide radio address
made an appeal to the Democrats OF
the country, in which he said:
The Democratic party certainly
would not be in a position four
years from now to solicit the con-
fidence and support of the Ameri-
can people if, during that period,
it neglected to build up a con-
structive program and relied en-
tirely upon the failure of the Oppo-
sition party. The minority party
must not permit itself to become
a party of obstruction and Oppo-
sition for political purposes u My.
1t would be regarded as a
constructive achievement if the
Democratic party at Washington
were to formulate a program,
adopt it an doffer it to the Con-
gress of the United States and
there defend it.
Immediately after the Congress
sional elections in 1880, the recog-
nized leaders of the Democratic par
ty issued a statement to the country
which began as follows:
A remarkable victory has come
to the Democratic party. We, how
ever, regard it less as a political
triumph than as great oppOr-
tunity for constructive SERVICE
"The statement closed with the
assurance that the Democratic party
realized it had been entrusted with
a great task and with the pledge
that it would perform that task.
"That statement was signed by
James M. Cox, John w. Davis and
Alfred E. Smith; by the Democratic
leader in the United States Senate,
Joseph T. Robinson; the Democratic
leader in the House of Representa-
tives, John N. Garner; Chairman
Raskob of the Democratic National
Committee and the Chairman of the
Democratic National Executive Com
mittee, Mr.. Jouett Shouse.
"Three years and a half have
elapsed since Governor Smith made
his appeal to the Democratic party
to show itself capable of something
constructive. One year and a half
has elapsed since the Joint state
ment was issued by the leaders just |
stating they recognized the
party's opportunity for constructive
service and assuring the country |
that the Democratic Congressional |
leaders were equal to the task.
Time has flown, but the Demo-
cratic party hasn't moved. If it had
an opportunity. for constructive SER
vice, as its leaders claim, it did not
measure up.
For three years and a half the
American people have heard Demo-
cratic denunciation of the present
tariff law as being vicious and un-
economic, robbing domestic consum-
ers, destroying foreign markets,
.ool of the special interests, an en-
emy of the common man. From ev-
cry platform and through every mi
crophone the American people have
been assured that as soon as the
Democratic party obtained power,
he alleged evils of this iniquitous
.ariff would be promptly corrected.
What happened after the Democrat
C party obtained control of the
House of Representatives which
must, under our Federal Constitu-
ion, originate all tariff bills? The
Democratic Ways and Means Com
nittee reported and the Democratic
House passed a so-called tariff bill
which does not alter one single rate
# touch single schedule of the Re-
publican tariff bill. Now the conclu-
ion is inescapable that if the pres i
mt tariff law is as iniquitous as it '
las been portrayed for three years !
" Democrats, then the action of the '
Democratic House was the essence {
# cowardice and base betrayal of i
he American people. On the other {
and, if the present tariff law is not {
s bad as it has been charged by /
Democrats, and the action of the l
House would indicate e
hat it is not, then the Democratic
arty has been a cOnsummate hypo-
rite for three years and the truth
oes not pass it's lips in the discus
ion of the tariff.
Governor Roosevelt in his st.
aul address last evening repeated
le charge that existing rates in the "
resent law are exorbitantly high S
nd that, Furthermore, the law is not v
ased upon any scientific analysis of Z
le tariff. If that be true, then why c
} not Democrats take their case p
efore the Tariff Commission, which it
non-partisan, upon which they 81
i've very able Democratic represen- tN
Ltion who would see that justice fC
as done, and which is organized ii
r the express purpose Of arriving c.
scientific results in connection a
ith tariff rates? To this date no g
has made an appeal to the el
lriff Commission for a reduction of til