Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-03-14
Political Potpourri.

Political POtpOurri.
More than half of the Republican
Congressman are fearing defeat Mt the
next election, and many declare they
will not be candidates. They feel that
the voters are determined on a new
deal and reform Congress. Demo-
Gratis are selecting their best men In
the congressional districts as candi-
dates and organizing for sweeping
victory.
The Democrats of the Peoria district
in Illinois have offered John Mitchell,
National President of the United Mine
Workers of America, the nomination
for Congress, but he has refused 1t, MS
he Is determined not to be candidate
for any office while head of the miners.
Perhaps before the convention is held
in May lie may be free to accept the
nomination.
Thepeople are after the political bar
nacles and Republican party bosses
with big stick. In Ohio they have
disposed of General Grosvenor,
wheel-horse in the Republican machine
system. In Pennsylvania the Republic
can ring was defeated in Philadelphia
and Pittsburg and Democrats elected,
and from everywhere come the good
| tidings of revolt against the Republic
can machine.
When the Republican Senators two
or three years ago voted for the Elkins
interstate commerce act, providing for
the repeal of the clause Of the original
act for both fines and Imprisonment for
railroad officials who transgressed the
law, they gave new impetus to unjust
determinations and unreasonable rates.
This action shows how little the Re
publican Senators are to be relied on
to honestly regulate the railroads.
The administration has refused to
investigate the coal-carrying railroads.
although urged to do so ever since the
great coal strike. A resolution to in
vestigate has been introduced by Demo-
cracs, Congressman Gillespie In the
House and Senator Tillman in the
Senate, and the Republicans dare not
refuse to pass them. for there is uni
versal demand that the railroads and
mines shall be divorced, and more rea-
sonable railroad rates and cheaper
coal be brought about.
The grating Republican Legislature
of Pennsylvania has become SO sudden
4 ly filed with the zeal of reform that it
is arousing suspicious that job Is
being put up on the people. 1t has in
vestigated the honest graft of some
of the leaders and has passed resolu-
| lions to Investigate the Pennsylvania
and other railroads and their connec-
ton with the Coal Trust. 1t is a good
sign to see the devil turn reformer, for
IL shows the people are having their
turn of stirring him up with the trl-
dent. Now is the time for real reform
ers to get busy and keep the fire going
to white heat.
: The Republican members of the Uni
ted States Senate are so afraid of the
referendum system that they have so
4 far refused to adopt the simple and
Il sensible amendment to the statehood
biz II. allow the people of New Mexico
and Arizona to vote on being admitted
q to the Union as one State. But then
ststhe administration opposes the amends
'STment and most of the Republican Sen
ators want to appear to be standing by
Teddy. Why President Roosevelt and
the Republican leaders object TO the
referendum vote is because the people
are certain to vote for separate state
hood. and for partisan reasons they do
!. not wish to see added four more West,
erp Senator's