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The Commoner
VOI. 20, NO. 6
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Tlie Commoner
X8HVJSD MONTHLY
Entered at the Postofllco at Lincoln, Nebraska,
as cjocond-clastJ matter.
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Address al communications to
THE COMMONER, LINCOLN, NED,
The South Still Dry
On another pago wijl bo found an editorial of
tho Montgomery, Alabama, Journal summing up
tho results of tho Alabama primary. Senator
"Underwood was re-elected by 1,800 on a plat
form declaring prohibition a settled question.
This is a very narrow margin in a vote of over
125,000. In his formor raco he had 40,000 ma
jority; now, with tho prestige of a "minority
leader" in the Senate, he wins by 1,800! Tho
wot papers that are boasting dare not give tho
Sacts on tho same page.
But tho wet and dry issuo was more 'clearly
presented in tho race for the short termj Ex
Govornor O'Neal, for years tho wet loader pf tho
stato, ran on a wine and beer platform against
three rivals, two of whom insisted that the ques
tion was settled One of those, Congressman
Hoflin, who voted for the Volstead enforcement
law, won, while ox-Sonator Whito, who dobated
tho liquor question . with Mr. O'Neal, came sec
ond. The wine and beer candidate camo third
and polled more than ONE-FOURTH of the
votes.
THE SOUTH IS STILL DRY. Alabama was
the most promising field in the south for the
wets. Her prohibition is not constitutional but
statutory, and she was the only dry state in
which tho wets made any active effort against
ratification. Now Alabama has spoken and it will
be a long while before another southern poli
tician riBks his fortune on a wet platform. Had
"Underwood dared to ask for re-election on his
record on prohibition he would have been over
whelmingly defeated. And, note, wine and beer
are as dead as whisky. W. J. BRYAN.
THE LOUISIANA SENATORSHIP
. Senator Gay, of Louisiana, having signified
his intention of not being a candidate for re-election,
Congressman J. Y. Sanders, of the 6th
Lousiana District, announced his candidacy for
Senator Gay's succession.
Congressman Sanders was formerly Governor
of Louisiana, and gave to that state an able, ef
ficient, and forward-looking administration. Ho
inaugurated the good roads movement in Louisi
ana, instituted what is known in that state as the
audit system, under which all public offices and
institutions are checked up by state auditors;
inaugurated tho conservation policy of the state;
abolished raco horse gambling in Louisiana. The
rate of taxation was not increased during his ad
jninstration, and he turned over quite a surplus
to. liis successor.
Congressman Sanders course in tho House on
all the great matters beforo Congress during his
twp terms would indicate that ho is worthy of
promotion to tho Senate.
The Political Creed of
Robert-L. Owen
SENATOR OWEN'S RESPONSE
Kansas City, Missouri, May 29, 1920.
Tho Commoner: In your May number,-you
invite candidates to "Come Into the Open'-'
and state that you would bo pleased to
publish the platform of any Democratic
aspirant who is willing to take the people
into his confidence.
Oklahoma has determined to present my
name, to which I have assented. I enclose
an abstract of my political creed, in ordor
that my friends and the public may know
what my views are. Yours very respect
fully, ROBERT L. OWEN. '
"I believe in the Constitution of tho United
States; in the Constitutional rights of tho
States; in tho sovereignty, in the common sense,
common honesty and benevolence of the
American people.
"I believe the one great reform from which
all other reforms must come is to perfect the
processes of popular government, so that the
American people shall havo a truly representa
tive government, without fraud, without cor
ruption, and so that the personnel of govern
ment shall at all times represent the people.
A so-called progressive administration ad
ministered by officials who are reactionary
must always disappoint the people. I fa
vor a thorough going CORRUPT PRAC
TICES ACT; the PUBLICITY PAMPHLET; the
SHORT BALLOT; tho PREFERENTIAL BAL
LOT, which automatically coheres the unorgan
ized, majority and will assuredly defeat the in
trigues of organized selfish minorities; in the
INITIATIVE and REFERENDUM: in order to
make representative government truly repre
sentative. "The Prohibition amendment should be faith
fully carried out, and no wet plank permitted
in a Democratic Platform.
"I favor a Department of Education, Physical
Training, Vocational Instruction, Adequate
Salaries to Teachers,
"I am opposed to Universal Military Training
or Militarism in any form.
"I favor developing the Public Health Ser
vices. I have always fought for the political and
economic equality of women and regard equal
suffrage for women as the most important pro
gressive step in a century.
"The Legislative, Executive and Judicial De
partments of the United States should each con
fine itself strictly within its own constitutional
limits, while- sympathetically co-operating with
each other as the servants of the people.
"I favor the vigorous protection of tho rights
of American citizens wherever they go on earth.
"I favor the immediate passage of the Treaty
of Peace and the Covenant of the League, with,
such reservations as shall prevent possible mis
construction to our disadvantage and shall not
impair its integrity.
"The "War Measures should be repealed, and
every meddlesome and unnecessary interference
with the liberties of our peqple should be termi
nated. I am strongly opposed to having reac
tionary officials administer Democratic policies.
"Every energy of Government should bo ex
erted to stop profiteering and the abuses of
private monopoly especially in food, clothing,
building material and the necessaries of life. This
can be accomplished by the Government exercis
ing control over Inter-state monopolies under
Federal licenses and through the Federal Trade
Commission, and by Statutes making excess
profits unlawful and then terminating the part
nership between the Government and excess
profits by the repeal of the excess profits tax.
"Tho cost of the war should be distributed
over the next half century, and more largely
placed on the great fortunes made by war.
"The Progressive Inheritance Tax by co-operation
with the States should be used to abate the
nuisance of gigantic fortunes and put a limit
on the enormous accumulations of capital in tho
hands of individuals, which now threaten tho
peace anu security or society.
"The Government should control and at leaatl
m part operate our Merchant Marine and estah-
lish American Trades Routes and Fair Freight
Kates at sea.
"I believe that private ownership and control!
of the railways will prove disappointing to the!
country, ana to the owners of railway secur-1
ities, and that the question of government con-J
trol and of government ownership will become
a burning question. I believe this question when4
it arises should be determined by a National!
Referendum presenting alternative propositions!
to bo submitted to the people witli arguments
for and against each proposal in a Publicity!
Pamphlet to bo sent to every citizen.
"I am' in favor of the Tariff Commission, re-J
ciprocity and a moderately low flexible tariff.
"I favor a strict budget system, rigid economy.!
the elimination of waste and extravagance andf
the employment of the very highest standards!
of modern' business in Governmental affairs.
"I favor fair wages for labor, just treatment,!
reasonable hours, safety, sanitary conditions
collective bargaining, the right to be represented!
by Counsel of its own choosing and participation!
in management and in the profits created by.l
labor.
"Labor, Capital and Management should co-j
operate in the service of the Public with mutual
good will, and wilful tyrxany of one group over?
another group should be restrained.
"Neither labor, capital or management should:,
be permitted to interfere with the Public safety.
"Labor, capital and management are each en
titled to a just reward for services rendered,!
and an adequate mechanism for the settlement'!
of their disputes should be very carefully worked
out by conciliation, arbitration with mutuaW
sympathy and understanding, without coercion,?
but under which the rights of the Public at the
same time should be adequately safeguarded.
"I believo the Progressive and Liberal men'
and women of the Nation should immediately
find some method of political tfo-operation fori
the protection of themselves against the selfish
interests now organized in the Interest of mono-1
poly and profiteering. These selfish interest3
exercise their baneful influence wherever theyJ
can through both parties, and by influencing-
-- A .... A Al 1 .. M u
appointments, can maite lneuecuvo siuuuuy
laws. I believo the Democratic party which has'j
already shown a great progressive spirit can bo
made the effective instrument to give the peoplej
relief, and that it should not hesitate to appeal
to progressive Republicans for their support, and
come to a clear understanding with regard to,
effective co-operation, both in the coming cam
paign and in the Administration of the Govern-,1
ment when the campaign has been made effec-j
live.
"I believe in the Spirit of Democracy and thatj
they who worshin it MUST WORSHIP IT im
SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH.
THANKSGIVING
(By Mrs. William Jennings' Bryan)
Today the nation waits
Besides the temple gates, . , .
Our thanks, O God, to Thee,
We, give with glad acclaim
All honor to Thy Name,
'"' Our thanks, O God, to Thee.
For trees and fruits and flowers,
For sunshine and for showers,
Our thanks, O God, to Thee!
For fertile field and plain,
'For stores of ripened grain,
Our thanks, O God, to Thee!
For day, our charge to keep, '
For night and gentle sleep,
Our thanks, O God, to Thee!
For health and home and friend,
For joys these earth ties lend,
Our thanks, O God, to Thee!
, For strength to banish care?
'! For sympathy and prayer,
Our thanks, O God, to Thee!
For life eternal won
Through th' gift of Thy dear Sun,
Our thanks, O God, to Thee!
(To the tune Laudes Domini, by Joseph
Barriby, To. 32 in Methodist Hymnal.)
ST)
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