Jasper County Democrat, Volume 16, Number 80, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 January 1914 — Will Do the Best They Can Under the Circumstances. [ARTICLE]

Will Do the Best They Can Under the Circumstances.

Speaking of the re-election of “Boss” Charles J. Murphy as district chairman, the Tippecanoe County Democrat says editorally: While in our opiniqn the democrats of this Tenth congressional district have made a grevious mistake in the selection of a district chairman and while a large majority of the democrats of this county will sincerely hope that he will not conhe into the county to further demoralize the party, yet as an expounder of the democratic faith and a believer that the democracy of Wilson ‘and Bryan will finally prevail in the democratic party in this state we believe that it is very much better to try to reform the party from within than from without. This paper will support the democratic candidates and do its utmost to elect them as a matter of principle. We feel that the election of the district chairman was accomplished by trickery, unfair dealing and catering to the ele- 1

meats most opposed to democratic success. But even so *flagrant an affront in this does not warrant democrats who have a pride in President Wilson and in the honest, homely democracy he preaches and practices, renouncing their party and abandoning it to its enemies. The condition now in Indiana democracy in some ways resembles that of 1894 when, following a notable national democratic victory, the reactionary element in the democratic party, ever bent on serving special interests, betrayed their obligations to the people and suffered a deserved rebuke at the following election. The difference lies in ihe fact that this crowd controlled the national government—they had standing with .the president who listened to their bad advise, whereas today President Wilson gives no heed to the Taggarts, Murphys, et al. So far as Con’ gressman Peterson is concerned he lias acted foolishly. He could have kept hands off and have been in a much better position. But so far as we are able to learn has been right at Washington and has voted with the progressive democrats on all matters. Of course it would have been more advantageous had he nor offended many democrats bv his action in this chairmanship matter, yet it is best to overlook this delinquency fop in the coming congress Air. Wilson may need the vote of the congressman from this district to uphold some of his policies and as we judge and condemn Murphyupon his record so must we judge and uphold Peterson on his record. Murphy is a tremendous load to carry but true democrats 8 will hope and pray and do the best they can.