The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1905-02-15
WASHINGTON LETTER.


p. IN. in the presence of crowded
galleries and OVERLOOKING chamber, the
members of the House of Representa-
tives and the Senate assembled in the
House chamber to canvass the electoral
vote tor president and vice-president,
and thus determine the result of the
late election. This vote, transmitted in
duplicate, one by special messengers,
and another sent by mail to the Secre-
tary of State, on being officially count
ed showed that Roosevelt and Fair
banks were elected president and vice
president respectively by the American
people in November last, and this
startling piece of information was re-
ceiyed with cheers, as the president
protein of the Senate, Mr.. Frye, of
Maine, announced tie result of the
count and from which it was learned
that out of the four hundred and
seventysix electoral votes cast three
hundred and thirty-si we're in favor
of Roosevelt ard Fairbanks, and
paltry one hundred and forty favored
Parker and Davis. Thus all doubt as
to the result of the campaign of 1904 is
dispelled and confidence in the efficacy
of campaigns generally is restored. The
occasion which tits here attempted to
depict was regarded as one of some
moment and interest, and there was
some eagerness manifested to secure
tickets of admission to the galleries, as
special tickets were required for the
occasion, and many distinguished men
and women turned out to witness the
formality of counting the votes. The
performance was brief, however. and
except for the official significance of it
wonld have been without great interest
On Thursday afternoon at three
O'Clock the House voted on the Esch-
Townsend Rate Bill, which action re-
suited in the passage of that bill by
that body by vote of three hundred
and twenty-siN ayes to seventeen nays
Eleven republicans and six democrats
voted against the measure. The Iowa
delegation voted solidly for the bill.
Immediately proceeding the passage of
the bill speeches were delivered by
Williams of Mississippi, and Hepburn
of Iowa. The latter took occasion dur
ing the course Of his speech to vindicate
himself. and to resent the charges con-
corning his attitude toward rate legisla
ton which have been circulated as
Isiduously b certain people whose ca
| pacity for mischief is greater than tkei1
diligence in ascertaining the actual
facts in a given case. The bill intro
duced by Mr.. Hepburn, which has pro-
duced such storm of protest in GER
tain sections was read and approved by
the president. ard in fact it was, with
the exception of two or three words,
composed by Attorney General Mr..
| Moody. Certain associations in Iowa
have been prevailed upon by political
agitators to adopt resolutions rejecting
upon the Iowa delegation in Congress
which they would never consent to con.
slider were they in position to know the
whole truth of the matter, and less ex-
posed to the influence of political in
cendiaries 1t is but fair to say here
that every member of the Iowa delega
ton in Congress Hepburn included
has from the start favored some effec
tive remedial measure bearing on thu
evils of rebates and rate discrimina
tions by common carriers. The Esch
Townsend Bill entitled IA Bill to Sup
plement and Amend the Act Entitled
An Act to Regulate Commerce APP
proved Feb 4th 1897 and is simpl,
amendatory of the Cullom Law, t.
which reference is made in the title a
the "Act Approved in 1887. 1t give
the Inter state Commerce Commission
power to fix a rate to supplant the on
which it may find excessive
which power the Suprem
Court in 1897 held was no
vouchsafed to the Commission in tn
Cullom Law. which it is was INTENDED
to convey, and which it exercised TO
ten years, until the Supreme Coul
passed on the law, The bill also provide
for Court of Transportation, which
in effect a Court of Appeal to whicl
appeal may be taken by commo
carriers from the rate fixed by tn
Commission. The bill is quite length
and goes into the subject in detail an
aims to meet every evil which it reason
ably can deal with The minority SUI
ported the Davey Bill. which was Wig
orously defended by democratic men
bers. Mr.. Hepburn distinguished hin
self in his speech on Thursday. and b
held the close attention of the Hous
where there was full attendance, an
the galleries were filled with intereste
listeners. He was frequently applaud
ed, and his speech is regarded as nearl