Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1904-05-12
FIFTY EIGHTH CONGRESS.
It Has Made Enormous Appropria-
tions, But Has Passed No USE
full Legislation.

The Fifty-eighth congress has been re-
markable for what it has not done, and
for the extraordinarily early date OF adj
iournment. This anxiety on the part of
the republicans to go home" without
attempting to legislate on matters other
than appropriation bills, shows how
feeble the g. o. p. has become under the
present leadership. The democratic
leaders in the house of representatives
have made the most Of their opportu-
mites, and the republicans are like a
lot of game chickens that have been
thoroughly trounced and are quite will
ing to seek the seclusion of their dis
triCts, instead Of still co~urageously fac
ing the gaffs Of their opponents. The
republican leaders fear the people. They
are bound to their trust and corpora
ton idols, knowing they would be help
less without the material aid the mo-
nopolists furnish, but still they dread
the virtuous indignation of the many
who are suffering from trust extor-
ton.
A large number of republican con-
gressmen were pledged to reform those
schedules Of the tariff that fostered the
trusts, others had engaged to urge reci-
procity, but when they met in Washing
ton some occult influence overshadowed
them, and the promises to their con-
~stituents have gone for naught. The
word came forth from the white house to
pass the appropriation bills, confirm
Crum, and adjourn as quickly as pos
sible.
These republican congressman have
nothing to point to with pride. No state
hood for the territories; no river and
harbor bill; no public buildings bill; nc
investigation of post office or other
scandals; the Smoot case hung up until
after election; the Swayne impeachment
postponed; the labor bills laid aside;
important public land bills deferred;
representation and political cowardice
the order Of the day-how can they ey-
plain this to their constituents?
A cowardly policy has never been ap-
proved by the people of America, nor,
it is to be hoped. even will be. All
these great questions that the republic
an leaders have postponed until after
election" have two sides chat cannot
be compromised, but the republicans
feared to face them.
The democrats are on the popular side
and the republicans are committed tc
the cause of the few, and yet have moi
dared to record their votes for the trusts
and corporations. Indirectly the re-
publicans have taken action against the
people by not passing upon those mat
tiers that would have l~ightened then
burdens, as reforming the tariff and re.
ducing trust high prices would have
done. The whole country favors a
vigorous and far-reaching investigation
of the scandals in the departments. but
the republicans have unanimously voted
against it,
A committee of congress has reported
that Judge Swayne, of the United States
court, has committed acts that deserve
impeachment, but to stir up that scan
dial before election would "hurt the
party" and the people of his district
must, therefore, be left to his tender
mercy. The remaining matters left I'm.
done may be characterized in the same
manner
When it to relating what this
| congress has done. the acts passed of a
public nature are of but little advantage
if not detrimental to the people. The
appropriations made are nearly $500
0OO. 900, which will certainly make the
total for the congress the greatest eve1
appropriated in a time of peace.
Provision was made for the extension
of the coastwise shipping laws of the
United States to the Philippine islands,
which is virtually a subsidy TO the ship
trust, as it allows the ship owners to
charge call the traffic will bear" and will
result in increasing the cost of binding
Irvine to the farmers and of other Phil
ippine products to those who purchase
them. The other few public bills are OF
semi-local or restricted interest.
That is the record of the republicans,
and each voter must answer at the polls
next November, if he is satisfied with
their stewardship, or vote to turn the
rascals out"