The Lamar register. [volume] (Lamar, Colo.) 1889-1952, 1906-05-23
Rate Bill Passed

guished itself as probably no state
before has been distinguished in the
history Of the country. 1t has fur
dished wo-thirds of the opposition
to bill in the United States senate
the sentiment in favor of which
throughout the country is practically
unanimous.
Senators Pettus and Morgan Of
Alabama and Foraker of Ohio voted
against the rate bill yesterday. The
Alabama senators, of course, are
democrats. The Ohioan, equally as
as a matter of course, considering
the time of his election, is rspubli-
can.
1t is comparatively easy to &C.
count for the attitude of all three
senators.
Mr.. Pettus is approaching his
eighty fifth birth anniversary, hav-
ing seen the light of day first on the
9th of July, 1921, and scarcely could
be expected to be in step with the
progress OF human events at this.
Mr.. Morgan is only three years
the junior of his colleague, and might
be excused for the same rerson, were
it not for the fact that his wrath over
failure to consummate his Nicara-
guam canal scheme has made it i'm
possible for him to favor anything
that the President favors, which fact
doubtless explains the vote as to him.
Mr.. Foraker has made no secret
OF the fact that he is a dyed in the
wool railroad senator and that he
intended to vote against any rate bill
except the one introduced in the
Senate in his own name, which nat
urally, was drawn according to views
that met with his approval.
1t is a matter of credit to the Sen
ate, however, and great vindica-
ton of the claim on the part of the
active friends of the measure that it
was vital to the welfare of the peo-
pie OF the country, that there were
only three votes recorded against
the bill when it came up for final
passage or defeHt. 1t is apparent
that members Of the Senate, though
they are not accountable to the peo-
pie of the country with such fire.
qusncy as operates to keep members
Of the lower house in close touch
with the public pulse, do not wish to
be on record otherwise than as
friends of rate regulation by the
government, and this fact iustifes
the further claim of the supporters
OF the mersure, that the need for it
is not of an impulsive or transitory
character.
The bill is one of those that mean
much to the rank and file of the peo-
pie of the country. 1t affects the
prosperity Of individuals and that in
direct and constant manner. Its
enforcement, if it is accepted by the
House of Representatives without
material change, as doubtless it will
be, mesns the broadening of the way
of success for thousands Of small
merchants and manufacturers all
over the land, who have been the
victims for years of the might and
the "reminiscences of the railroads.
The measure, in its effect upon the
welfare of the public, ought to be
olassed with the homestead act, the
various tariff measures upon which
many of the benefits and some of
the ills of today rest, and the irriga-
ton act, which will continue the
work of empire building that the
homestead act began.
The vote In the Senate yesterday
was distinct triumph for the pres
ent national administration, and for
the people And it is a triumph of
both the President and people over
partisanship. 1t proves that though
political parties are powerful, the
people are the court Of last resort
and their mandates are respected.
Since the only amendment of i'm
portance that the Senate has attach
ed to the Hepburn bill is that which
bears the name of Senator Allison,
and since this amendment does not
materially alter the measure as it
passed the House with only seven
opposing votes, it is practically GER
tain that the conference between the
TO h., ~ oap~raco an tba LII