Shall we never vote for ourselves?
The italics in the last paragraph quoted are mine. So, too, are the sentiments of that paragraph—both the expressed and the implied. That is I believe in them—I believe in them hard and stubbornly. If my readers will think hard about them for a few minutes, I feel confident they will conclude that it is about time for them, for all of us, to act on Mr. Benson’s advice—tear off our party labels and begin “to vote for ourselves.”
In support of his charges of bad faith on the part of the government in giving the people a serviceable parcels post, Mr. Benson’s remarks are most illuminating. He makes reference to a public or semi-public document of the government, written by one Mr. Turner and proceeds as follows:
“‘This will open a great business for American retail merchants,’ wrote Mr. Turner. ‘Brazil can be flooded with catalogues. This information, in advance, will enable those desiring to go after business to prepare for it.’
“Mind you, these are only occasional sentences from his enthusiastic article. He dwelt at length upon the eagerness of the Brazilians to buy such articles as we make. He even became specific and enumerated some of the articles that could be advantageously sent by parcels post. ‘This opens up great possibilities for the retail shoe houses,’ he said, for instance, ‘as elegant shoes are worn.’ Also, there was a great market for gloves, embroideries, ribbons, silks, stockings, and underclothing.
“Here, then, we have the spectacle of the United States Government making statements to business men through a publication that the common people never read, that are directly opposed to the statements that are made to the people of the United States in congressional debates and other publications.
“Now, ask yourself these questions:
“Would the establishment of a parcels post by Brazil, which we have permitted to extend to this country, open any markets for Americans in Brazil if parcels-post rates did not permit American merchants to deliver their goods in Brazil at reduced cost?
“Again: If a parcels-post in Brazil will enable American merchants to lay down their goods in Brazil at reduced cost, why wouldn’t a parcels post in the United States enable American merchants to lay down their goods in the United States at reduced cost?