Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-12-28
CAPITAL CHAT.
The Democrats Are at a Loss
to Find An Issue.
Practically Solid Republican Vote for
Canal Treaty in Senate.
Mr.. HaIe's Firm Stand for 1t Solidificd
the Party.


ton of the session of Congress will
bring in the matter of party agitation
The Panama canal issue seems to have
tagged out" Democrats We're count
ing on big results there. They thought
they could resist ratification of the
canal treaty and win acclaim from
the country. Therein they had been
sorely disappointed. Criticism sof the
manner in which the President recog-
niZed the new republic and FASTENED
ne gOtiations for the treaty is all there
is left to them. 1t was q very serious
problm that confronted the President
He handled it as best Sc could under
the circumstances. Grave doubt eX-
lists here as to whether the Democrats
can stir up much enthusiasm over tina
kind Of criticism. The concern is much
greater to see the dirt actually flying
along the route OF the canal.
The Southern senators went back ON
Senator German, thir leader, very en-
phatically His course now will be
Wa tched with 10 little interest, for the
ratification of the treaty seems as
aurcd. 1t is now before the Senate
committee on foreign relations, of
which Senator Frye of Maine is one OF
the leading members. The committee
viii promptly report the treaty IA
Vor2bly, after the holidays. The Sen
ate will apply itself then to the task of
reaching vote. And vote will be- hal
Just as soon as opportunity is afford
cd for the speeches to be delivered for
and against it. Senator Hale has an
nounced that he will support the treaty.
His announcement practically assured
4 solid Republican vote in its behalf.
None Of the Republican senators has
been opposed to the canal, but some OF
them have hesitated about the effect
of our action on the isthmus in the
course OF years, as other questions OF
international character arise. Although
wishing that the treaty might have
been brought about in manner more
acceptable to all parties concerned. Mr..
Hale has never been in doubt as to
what his vote would be. His public an
TOuncement at q critical time immense
ly strengthened the cause of the treaty,
for other Republicans in the Senate,
less willing to express their views pub
licly. have promptly decided to follow
in his lead.
Probably the two most acceptable
Christmas presents to people in Wash
ington, this year, came from " Uncle
joe Cannon, the Speaker of the HOUSE
Of Representatives. They We're APP
pointinents to the roll of official stem
ographers. Each appointment means
q salary of $4,000 4 year to the recpi-
Ont and this salary is practically for
Nc l,aJ if,,
At Mr.. CanEon's instance a resolution
WAS put through, Just before the holi-
day recess creating one new place on
the roll OF official stcnosraphers. It
was adopted without opposition. One
Of the old official stenogra pliers, who
has grown very wealthy in other ven
lures. resigned that he might give his
time solely to his business affairs.
Therefore two vacancies We're created.
The last appointment had been made
by Sneaker Reed. who named Reu i
Small of Portland, Me. He has proved
orc of the most capable of all the Off
cial stenographers and is just now in
Portland on a. vacation.
Mr. Cannon announced the appointmeat
of Fred r. Cochran of Detroit. and of
two vacancies. Mr.. Lafferty has been
one Of the committee stenoGraphers for
many years and his appointment was IN
the nature of n deserved promotion, al
though as committee stenographer he al %
received $1,000 Il year These Stcnograph-
crs are the pick Of the profession general
~ and acquire great cleVerneSS in taking
rcd-hOt debates verbatim. 1t does not
matter that an occasional member can
talk 300 words or moro q minute. They
stay with him. Their work occupies
them only about six months of the year
on an average, but good stenographcrs
come high and the House does not pay
has Sly of these experts to do it's work
and take down the daily talk. Every
word is printed in the Congressional Rec
ord
The effect of the Burleigh apportion-
ment on divers affairs. connected with
party management. develops constantly
The law which the member of the Third
Maine district forced through Congress
two years ago to assure four members
OF the House for Maine for a decade
moro. has a bearing Upon both the M
tional conventions. next summer. Both
will be the largest conventions Of both
p3rticS ever yet held. That is because
Gov BurIeigh'S bill increasing the mem
hcr~hip of the i[ouse from 357 to 3S6, is
tannn as the basis for choice Of delegates
TO the conventions. In other words. where
There We're IA district delegates in each
Of The last conventions, there viii be ~
in the next conventions. It increased the
problem of arranging committees in the
House. although Uncle joe Cannon
found that he could arrange it satsfac-
torNy.
# used to be that the membership oi
native sons of Maine in the House was
very large. often twice or three times
as many as the delegation from the State
Native sons Of Maine. who went West
to grow up with the country, had an in
clirati0n for politics, which sooner OF
later landed them in the national House
This is gradually ceasing. The Western
states are raising sons Of their own, ~
enough to enter public life, ard a nativ
son is always more popular as candida t
for office There are now only thre'
Maine rlen in the House outside Of tht
delegation Of four. ard but two of thcst
wore actually born in the State
Representative d. s. Alexander of Buf
faio. came from Richmond Me. ard la!
acrlritted himself so creditably that it il
eaid he can now come to Congress as Ion:
as he wants to. IN former times he hat
very bitter opposition, which he has nov
yanauishcd. One of his master stroke
was getting through Congress an appro
,,riation of $500 G0 to recoup stakeholder
"a the Buffalo Exposition. Ernest w
| Eohorts of Chelsea, Mass, comes from
! Fast Madison. Me. and is now serving
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