Jasper County Democrat, Volume 15, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 September 1912 — MR. RALSTON’S KEYNOTE. [ARTICLE]

MR. RALSTON’S KEYNOTE.

In speaking of the keynote speech of Hon. S. M. Ralston, which appeared in Wednesday’s Democrat, the Indianapolis News savs editorially: •

Samuel M. Ralston, democratic candidate for Governor, opened his campaign last night with a speech at Anderson. He is to be commended for his frank meeting of all the issues--—even the temperance issue. Most of the speech, it is true, was devoted to national Questions issues, particularly the tariff. What he said on this subject was well said, 'I he tariff as we have it' today is the supporter of • privilege. It is a common practice, as has been shown beyond dispute, to sell American manufactures abroad at figures considerably below those at which they are sold at home Men demand and receive the right to exploit the people through a perversion of the taxing power, and then they are greatly surprised that the people should object. The great j issue today is the tariff issue. About I that something can be done. In regard to most oif the things of which Roosevelt talks little can be done. Mr. Ralston went beyond his platform - and in this showed his wisdom—and pledged himself to a (public utilities commission. This plank was beaten in the resolutions committee of the Democratic convention. The candidate restores it. He said that Governor Marshall would recommend the enactment of a public utilities law. ard that if, it conformed to the Constitution, and properly safe-guarded the interests of labor and capital. ' he would sign it. On the temperance question Mr. Ralston he had always favored strict control of the liquor traffic, and that he had urged that the county option law have a fair trial. Personally he favors the city and township option, and he asks that the present mw also have a fair trial. “There is,” Mr. Ralston said, “no moral element or question between these units.” Honest believers in temperance may favor either unit. The speech of the democratic candidate is a frank and sincere l utterance. One thing in conclusion: Mr. Ralston made a defense of the financial side of the present administration, but as he promised that a fuller statement would be made later in the campaign, and that this issue %ould be fairly met, perhaps it is better to wait till the case is fully made up. MT. Ralston made a, very favorable impression.