Jasper County Democrat, Volume 19, Number 51, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 September 1916 — CAMPAIGN OPENS IN THIS COUNTY [ARTICLE]

CAMPAIGN OPENS IN THIS COUNTY

Hon. Philip Zoercher Makes Several Stirring Speeches. GREEtED BY LARGE CROWDS * Discussed National and State Politics in Logical and Convincing Way at Several Points in County.

Ttye Democratic campaign in Jasper county was opened Wednesday afternoon with a speech in the east court room by the Hon. Philip Zoeiicher, reporter of the Indiana supreme court. Mr. Zoercher is a very entertaining talker, one who knows what he is talking about and knows how to say it. He is of German descent and speaks that language almost as fluently as he does English. At the meeting in Rensselaer Wednesday afternoon the speaker was greeted by a good sized audience in the east court room. He did not mince words in preliminaries but launched straight into the issues now before the people. His talk was not one of defense of the state and national administrations, but, instead, one of acclaim for what they had accomplished and the numerous measures that had been passed tending to relieve the stress on business and the people as a whole.

Chief these was the new currency law, which has brought about such an improvement in the banking and money conditions of the country that the Republicans are trying to claim the law as their own, saying it is identical with what they would have passed had they been continued in power. But. as Mr. Zoercher said, they were in power for many years, they had the opportunity to pass it, but they did not.

The pension laws was another thing which Mr. Zoercher dwelt upon briefly. It is now an old story of the Republican claims'that if the Democratic party once got into power the old soldiers and their widow's would have to suffer. But all know the truth. All know that the old soldiers have fared better, have received more money for their service and sacrifice under the present administration than ever before. As evidence of this fact one has but to turn back less than a month and review the law granting to widows of soldiers an increase of pension from sl2 a month to S2O a month. Does this look as though the Democratic party was opposed to helping the old soldiers and their widows? Wednesday etening Mr. Zoercher, accompanied by several auto loads from this city, went to Remington. The meeting was held in the basement of the public library, and was attended by George E. Hershman, candidate for congress from this district, and several of the county candidates.

After the meeting wag called to order Mr. Hershman was asked to make a few remarks. He did not m try to make a political speech, but for perhaps fifteen - minutes indulged in a heart-to-heart talk with the voters present. Mr. Hershman is a very pleasing gentleman and his hearers listened with the closest attention as he pledged himself in all sincerity . and honesty that if he was elected their representative he would be such in act and deed as well as in name' that he would not spend his time and their money playing petty politics. He > was roundly cheered .and the audience gave every indication of being in complete accord with all he said. .Robert J. Yeoman, candidate for

county commissioner from the second district, was next introduced. As he arose he was greeted with and cheers that easily told where he stood in the esteem of those present. After stating the importance of the state and national ticket, he came to the county ticket

and defined and explained the duties of each county officer. He justly placed upon the office of county commissioner the importance it deserves. After explaining that practically every cent of the county money that is paid out must pass through the hands of the board of commissioners, he pledged himself that if elected he would exert every effort within his command to see that the administration was an efficient and economical one. And the People believed him. Harry Gallagher, candidate for sheriff, was then introduced, and. disclaiming any proclivities as a speeehmaker, he said he was glad for the opportunity to meet fhem and would appreciate their support and pledged them an efficient and economical administration in the event he was elected. Mr. Zoercher was next introduced and in a very few minutes had the audience spellbound with his clear and concise statements concerning the state administration Not one word of defense did he have to offer, bat he devoted considerable time to refute and disprove the charzes of extravagance that have been made by opposing candidates. He had the figures to back up his statements and in several instance*cited where the same had been added in twice by the Republicans in their efforts to make it appear that the Democratic administration has been an extravagant one. But such tactics as these will not benefit the Republicans, for the people of Indiana are a prudent and conservative people and will give credit where credit is due. The rate of taxation has also been used by the Republicans as a campaign ii*sue. they claiming that great increases have been made therein. As a ,matter of fact the state tax has been reduced from 9 cents to 7 cents on the SIOO, while there have been increases in the benevolent institution tax, educational institution tax and vocational education tax, the latter being a new tax composed of 1 cen* on the SIOO. The other two increases are well understood by all. One was to provide more money that those less fortunate and afflicted might have better care and attention, and the other was to provide more money for our state schools that the students of Indiana might have as good instructors as there were in the land. Other states were paying more and in order to keep these efficient men Indiana had to | have more money. Does anyone begrudge this money that goes to the relief and treatment of our unfortunate, and for the better education of the coming generation cr tit s great state?

One thing which ?Ir. Zoercher dwelt upon at some was the unjust and unwarranted attack upon the management of the Indiaha boys' school at Plainfield by the Republican candidate for governor. The Indiana boys' school is a credit to the state and the pride of every Hoosier. I- has been brought on of the mire by a Democratic administration arid placed upon a base of efficiency and accomplishment. That m costs more to conduct this school today than it did- in 1910 no one will deny, for it is conducted along entirely different lines and the increased results are far in efeess of the in --ceased cos’. Bu- even so. the f o?t of conducting the boys' school where an average of .'rvg boys artclothed. fed, sent' to a graded school 'and also taught some useful trade | —ri p - 5 . not increased proportionate j • :h she increase in a!! commodities } lace .1 ** * •*. Another appreciable fact concerning the increase in the benevolent tax is that there are now nineteen institutions, whereas there were but thirteen in 1910, and the number of inmates has increased more than 3,000.

*Thursday Mr. Zoercher deßevered two more addresses— at Demotte at ® P- ni.. and at 8 p. rn. at Wheatfield. At each of these places he and his escorts were greeted tv satisfactory audiences and his campaign in Jasper county bore everv indication of being a most profitable one. Owing to the fact that three silos were being filled within a rad ius of one mile of Parr and every man was busy at this work, the afternoon meeting that was to have beep held at Parr was canceled. This was Mr. Zoerch»r's second appearance in Jasper county, where he js held in high esteem by aP who have-met him. And should he be able to return here at some later date he need have no fears of getting an audience to hear him. • ■! '