Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-02-06
would not live always
cen in short Februa-
Where storm after storm rises
dark Ger the way.
OUTSIDE POINT OF VIEW

$OUTSIDE POINT OF VIEW
Written for the Times Republican
The attitude of Speaker Henderson
On public matters has not only much of
interest to Iowa citizens, but the coun-
try at large. Under the present rules of
the house the speaker has almost un-
limited power in directing legislation.
Add to this his prerogative of appoints
ing committees and any one can see at
IL glance that to successfully carry any
measure thru the house 1t must be one
in harmony with the speakers ideas of
It's necessity to the welfare of the coun-
try. In fact, the only way that meas
ure obnoxious to the speaker can be-
come law, rather pass the house, Is
thru minority committee report, sup
ported by the opposition and carried by
the votes of enough members of the
party in power who for the time defy
the influence of the presiding officer. To
state it another way, the passage of any
bill thru the house, contrary to the
wishes of the speaker, is almost prima
facie evidence that the speaker and his
followers are wrongfully standing out
against the expressed wish of the ma
jcrity of the citizens of the United
States. The writer in common with
many others believes that Speaker
Henderson has already assumed po-
sition that he will be compelled to re-
cede from by the above mentioned sys-
tenn. This in the matter of a change in
cur tariff duties.
Not long ago large petition, signed
by many citizens of Waterloo and
Plackhawk county. was sent to Speaker
Henderson asking for changes In our
tariff figures, and claiming that where
established facts proved that American
manufacturers were permanently and
regularly selling their wares in other
countries at less figures than in the
United States, all protective duties in
their favor should be abolished. (This
is virtually what Mckinley advocated
in his last speech. 1t is the same politi-
cal position of Cummins and Dolliver
today. 1t is majority belief in Iowa
today, Notwithstanding almost the en-
tire Iowa delegation stands with Hen
Gerson In opposing such a change.) To
this petition Speaker Henderson replied
in substance that he did not favor such
changes, and gave as the one strong
reason for his opinion that any tinker
ing with the tariff results In financial
disaster
Now the purpose Of these few words
is not to discuss the question in issue.
hut to mention a few things Speaker
Henderson ct al. seems to have forgot
ten. Not so long ago President Mckin-
ley sent a message to congress saying
that it was our plain duty to grant the
people of Porto Rico free access to our
markets" Notwithstanding a majori-
ty of expressed sentiment In Iowa.
Speaker Henderson and other Iowa
congressman opposed such legislation.
and passed law putting off the day of
plain duty" some two years. But what
irritated the Iowa voter was letter
from Henderson and similar ones from
other Iowa congressman, addressed to
their constituents, in which the Idea
was conveyed, altho not in 80 many
words, that I'VE down in Washington
know better what should be done in
such matters than you voters and citi-
zens in Iowa. We have a chance to
post ourselves with the facts and fig
ures close at hand. You have to de-
pend upon newspaper accounts-a very
poor source of information" This last
letter of Henderson's to the citizens of
Rlackhawk county has the same tone,
altho not quite so offensive. Now an
other purpose of this is not to discuss
the old, old question of whether an Of
fetal should vote his own opinions or
those of his constituents, If they are In
cpposition. But it is to remind Speaker
Henderson, and others of the Iowa del
egation, that they are still the serV-
ants and not the masters of the people
Speaker Henderson owes his long ca
reer as an official to just one particular
thing. And that is because he was
"Our Dave" Selected In democratic
district as a republican congressman
term after term, such selection came
because he was for and of the people.
If the man has changed. If as many
claim, since his elevation to the high
est place he can ever assume to occupy,
has given him false ideas of his posi-
ton, duties and power, who so much
the worse for Dave" Henderson and
the people of Iowa.
OF course many Of us know, or rather
think we know, that this Waterloo let
ter was written and the petition gotten
up to put Speaker Henderson in a
hole" To force him to declare himself,
to place himself on record as opposed to
a prevailing political opinion in Iowa,
and thus prepare the way for his sue
cessor. Rumor more than indicates
that 1.-THE pins are now set up" for a
Waterloo gentleman of ability, who
would have no objection to representing
in congress "Dave Henderson's dis
trict." And this gentleman and his
friends are sharp enough to do all this.
And they also have the advantage of
being with the people in this present