Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1905-09-07
POLICIES.
Great Difference of Opinion on Vita
Issues.

Greot DlHerence of Opinion on Vital
Issues.
Our Republican friends appear to be
much troubled about what the next
congress shall do. All kinds of advice
and representations are being promul-
gated by the leaders and organ of the
different factions. The Republican var
ty Is confronted with a serious differ
ence OF opinion on most important mat
tiers, but the chief thing that bothers
the Republican leaders in congress is
now to serve two masters without Civ.
Ing serious offense to either.
The Biblical injunction that I'VE can
not serve God and Mammon' appears
to be lost on these aspiring politicians,
for, though Of course very anxious to
serve the dear people, their under
ground connection with the Mammon of
unrlghteousness-the corporations and
their %predaceous proprictors-is for
ever pulling them in the wrong direc-
ton. The people are demanding rail
road rate legislation; the railroads are
determined against any such Interior
ence with their vested rights. The
people ais want tariff reform-at least
enough of 1t to prevent the trusts SELL
ing cheaper abroad than here-but it is
dollars to d%oughnuts the trusts will
bold the whip hand. There is a de-
hciency Of millions in the national
treasury which must be provided for
by new taxation or extensive
The question Of digging the Panama
canal to sea level must be decided
Here again the transcontinental rail
roads are interested. Reciprocity with
Canada, free trade with the Philip
pines, Chinese exclusion and a multi
tude Of minor questions are pressing
for settlement, and in nearly every
case there is some large interest that
is pulling one way, while the people
are to be best served in the other di-
rection.
Speaker Cannon is said to be in great
tribulation over the selection of q floor
leader for the house of representatives
who will help him to carry out his
stand pat ideas on tariff and rail
roads. He is known to be opposed to
the Roosevelt policies and will appoint
his committees accordingly, SO that it
will be impossible to get a unanimous
report or any reform legislation OF per
haps any report at all on the bills the
administration favors.
It will be dolorous days for the small
fry, the great majority of the Repub-
lican members Of congress. They will
| hl hntWapn two fraS Thn1 p,,c 10
friendly with the speaker or their local
legislation will be jeopardized. They
must be welcome at the White House
or their hopes of patronage will go
gllmmerlng, and even candidates for
fourth class postmasters will laugh
them to scorn. 1t is possible, Of course,
that the president and speaker may
agree to compromise-that is. for con-
gress to do nothing Of any great conse-
quence except, of course, to make
speeches teeming with love for the
dear people, pass the appropriation
bills, with a great claim for economy,
and go home trusting to the trusts and
corporations for enough cash to. over
come the disgust of their constituents.
The Democratic members, being in
the minority, car do nothing. The dras-
tic rules the Republican majority
Will adopt will effectually prevent most
OF them from ven having a chance to
express an opinion, but the Democrats
will, by keeping a bold front and acting
together on all questions on the side Of
the people, so impress public opinion
that the voters will intrust them with
power at the election of 1906.