The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1905-02-15
RAILWAY LEGISLATION.
President Roosevelt Vigorously
Trying to Curb Railroads.

Trying to Curb Railroads.
His influence and Determination Alone
Driving Republican Majority in House
to Take Action to Regulate
Transportation Trusts.
Washington, Feb. 14.-"lf it had
not been for the president there would
have been no such legislation to be
enacted by this house. 1t is the
power of the president, the influence
of the president, his irmness and his
courage that have brought this cues
tion to the imminence of favorable &C
tion by the Republican majority"
This statement was made by Repre-.
sentative De Arnond of Missouri
when the railway rate bill was under
discussion in the house and soon after
Mr.. De Almond concluded his re-
marks the house passed the Townsend
Esch bill with on1y17 dissenting votes,
six of which, unfortunately, are cast
by Democrats. The Democrats sig
nifed their preference for the Davey
bill by first voting for that, but when
it was defeated by a patty vote the.
aligned themselves on the slde OF
some progress in the direction OF rate
control and voted for the majority
measure.
AS soon as the bill passed the House
it was sent to the Senate an6 prompt
" referred to the committee on Inter
state Commerce where it Will doubt
less remain until this Congerss ex:
pires, which will mean the death OF
the bill. Two reasons will contribute
to this result. In the first place. the
Senate is working under pressure to
complete the Swayne impeachment
case, which is in full blast. and will
doubtless have to hold numerous
night sessions to accomplish their
outline business before March 9. In
the second place Senator Elkins,
chairman Of the committee on Inter
state Commerce, is at heart op-
posed to any measure involving real
reform Of railway rates and, Whlle
protesting to be most friendly, will
actually do all in his power to prevent
the accomplishment Of such enact
ment. His position renders his op-
position powerful and while, with
ample time at the disposal OF the sen
ate, Mr.. Elkins' opposition might
be overcome, in the rush OF the clos
ing hours of short session such a
fight would be impossible.
The President is entirely reconclled
to the unavoidable delay in carrying
out his recommendations for the rea.
son that he believes that delay will
only serve to whet the demand OF the
public for such Legislation and chat
eventually the country g1ll secure
from the Senate more comprehen-
sive and adequate measure than is the
bill just passed by the House. There
will be, of course, no trouble In get
ting the next House to pass bill IN
conformity to the public needs and 1t
popular demand grows IS rap
idly during the summer recess
as it has during the past
few weeks the insistence OF the
people Will make itself felt even in the
Senate.
The Serate has determined to
amend tie arbitration treaties recent
ly submitted by the President. des-
pite the letter of the PRESIDENT de-
claring that if any amendment were
adopted he would withdraw them. 1t
is declared on high authority that II
the treaties are ratified with an
amendment no effort will be made to
induce the foreign governments party
to the treaties to concur In the
change. This is perhaps true but the
highest authorities have been known to
change their minds and it is not I'M
possible that calmer consideration OF
this subject may result in a changed
attitude on the part OF the authorities
in the State Department. The ore
executive session during which tne
treaties were discussed demonstrated
the fact that it would be absolutely i'm,
possible for the treaties to be ratified
unless they were so amended that any
subordinate treaties submitting a
difference to the Hague Tribunal
would have to be approved oy the
Senate. Senators Morgan. Teller and
Bacon all spoke in favor of the amend
ment. if the treaties were to be ratl-
lied. although Mr.. Morgan opposed
the principle OF arbitration itself and
declared that in his estimation it
would be far better if the treaties fail
ed entirely. 1t is not believed, how
ever, that Senator Morgan will insist
on this view to toe extent of Sllbus-
tering. 1t is predicted with every
show of confidence that the treaties
will be ratified at the next executive
session.
The fate of the Statehood bill bas
been practically sealed under the spur
Of the party whip and lash in the
Honse. Speaker Cannon has had his
way, and rule has been adopted in