Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1935-12-05
ABLE ADDRESS BEFORE CLUB
BY HON. JOHN McSWEENEY

L BY HON. JOHN McSWEENEY
! One of the ablest addresses ever
given before the local Women's
Democratic club, was that of Hon
John McSweeney, Monday night. II
was masterful address entirely
free from abuse or mud-slinging
He stated that he hadn't a word to
say against anyone, but he had
enough to say in praise of many
Mr.. McSweeney, former congress
man, and the director of public well
fare in Governor Whites cabinet
before beginning his address prop
er, took occasion to pay a deserved
compliment to T. c. Jenkins, now
| head of the London prison farm
and for many years prior superin-
tendent of the Mansfield reforma-
tory He stated that he had attend
ed the national conference of pris-
on heads, and that tom Jenkins
stood head and shoulders above any
of them" He also spoke in praise
OF Congressman Secrest's devotion
to duty.
Getting down to his speech prop
er, Mr.. McSweeney said Democrats
should be proud of the great pro-
gram of the present administration
and of it's great leader who he
stated he believed was sent by God
to save America when it was on its
very verge of economic collapse, and
inspired citizens with new hope
and courage; that while he made
mistakes he showed his greatness
in admitting them and in changing
his program. The speaker said he
I disliked those with short memories
those who do not remember the
| tragedies OF the years of 1881
1882. He pointed out the inn
provement of the business men and
of the farmers, and laboring men;
how banks had been made safe
through bank insurance, which
protects bank depositors He stated
that the old system, which was
largely in the hands of a few big
bankers, had collapsed-that they
had their backs to the wall-the
/ bottom had fallen out of the bank
| ing business, and they seemed pow
erless to do anything to save the
structure from total collapse-and
then, providential it seemed, Roose-
welt came to the head of the nation.
How quickly things changed, with
/ improved conditions all along the
line
The speaker took occasion to
speak with all the force in his COM
mand against those who would
make believe that the four billion
dollars spent for relief was a po-
litical slush fund; and showed that
it is being expended for those in
distress, and that the matter OF
politics, or religion, made not a
particle of difference. Mr.. Nc
4 Sweeney said that when America
1 needed help during the war, it turn
ed to it's citizens, and when the
citizens needed help they rightly
turned to their government, and a.
the head OF the government is a
man who does not ask if they are
Democrats or Republicans, Jew OF
Gentle, Catholic or Protestant. He
said the money being spent has moi
been wasted as is often charged.
Concerning the national debt, he
said that during the last five OF
six years before Roosevelt became
president, the farms, real estate,
farmers live stock and crops, had
decreased in value $50 billion dol
/ lars-that such a decrease is a debt
and if 10 or IL billion dollars is
spent to collect that debt it was
money we'll spent The speaker
said he would not begin to get
worried so long as Americas debt
did not reach beyond SO billion
dollars. He stated that during
Hoover's administration the debt
was about 20 billion, and that that
was when everything was depreciat-
ed: that if it was good debt then,
the present debt though higher, is
much safer than then, because of
the increase in values. He stated
that charity should begin at home
| that we should care for those of
our own land first.
! Concerning the howl about Roose-
velt breaking down the constitu-
ton, he stated the president was
not breaking down the constitu-
| ton, but was stretching it to make
; it suit emergencies such as exist,
and to do just as Thomas Jefferson
did in the Louisiana purchase; and
that perhaps the farthest it was
ever stretched was when Abraham
Lincoln issued the famous Emanci-
! patton proclamation. The speaker
| said that victory over depression is
| in sight, and with four more years
of Roosevelt the country will be
placed on firm plane. Speaking
of the presidents security program,
of labor laws, of old age pensions,
| he termed Roosevelt as the great
champion Of the common people.
| The meeting was called to order
by the club president, Mrs. Flo
Strahl; and Atty r. M. Winegard-
ner had charge of the program.
The music included singing of
America, led by Judge L. ]. Weber;
and piano and violin selections by
Mr.. and Mrs. H. S. Hopkins of
Chesterhill. That their music is
most keenly appreciated is evidenc-
ed by the repeated encores they re-
ceived Mr.. McSweeney before be-
ginning his address paid Mr. and
Mrs. Hopkins a splendid, and de-
served tribute. Other musical num-
bers included fine selections by
Miss Muriel and Miss Evelyn Wine-
gardner, piano and violin. The
Misses Winegardner are the talent
ed daughters of Attorney and Mrs.
R. M. Winegardner
At the conclusion of the main
address, the chairman called upon
number present who responded
briefly. Among those present was
Miss Nettie Henery of the Herald