The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-04-10

Instances Cited of Special Privileges to
Certain Southern LOcalities-Two
Much Discretionary Power Lodged
in the P~ostofice Department-Mr.
Towne Traces the Growth of the
Rules Now in Force in the House.
Committee Appointed to Participate
il the Second Centenary Exercises
of Benjamin Franklin's Birth.
house convened today Speaker Cannon
appointed the following committee to
participate in the exercises attendant
upon the second centenary of Benjamin
Franklin's birth to be held at Phila-
delphia April II: Messrs. Olmstead, of
Pennsylvania; Stevens, of Minnesota;
Cousins, of Iowa; Watson, of Indiana;
Fassett, of New York; Hoar, of Massa-
chusetts; Smith, Of Maryland; Pou, of
North Carolina; Ryan, Of New York;
and Watkins, Of Louisiana.
The bill making it obligatory for the
circuit and district court Of the middle
district of Alabama TO sit Six months
at Birmingham was passed.
Mr.. Gaines, of West Virginia, secur-
ed consent to have printed in the re-
cord Judge Humphreys opinion in the
beef packers cases, the oral argument
made by the attorney general and the
several statutes relating to compulsory
testimony and resulting immunity from
prosecution.
The appropriation bill was then tax
en- up.
Mr.. Moon, of Tennessee, the rank
ing minority member of the postofhce
and postroads committee, in explana-
ton of the several provisions Of the
postofice appropriation bill said that
the railroads commended that they were
not receiving sufficient pay to carry the
mails, Notwithstanding the charges
made that the railroads were receiving
sums of money far in excess Of the
value of the service rendered. He in
sisted that if the appropriation for rail-
way mali service was 10 be cut down,
it ought to be after complete investi-
CATION.
After citing instances Of special priv
ileges to certain southern localities, Mr..
Moon asked, What does the demo-
cratic party demand On this question?
It repud!ates, it denounces, it con-
dennis every character Of subsidy.
The republican platform does likewise.
Can you say to the people Of b Unit
ed States, standing upon your plat
form, and opposed to ship subsidy that
you are ready, because of little paltry
benefit to your immediate section, to
violate the pledges Of your party and
the great tenets that It has held for a
century. l believ the southern demo-
Gratis ought to appeal to their people,
and not to this railroad company,
which is granted special privileges be-
tween Washington, Atlanta and New
Orleans"
Passing from a discussion Of the rail-
way mail service Mr.. Moon said that
, there was too much discretionary pow
, er lodged in the postofhce department.
Mr.. Towne, On. " followed Mr..
Moon. After a short description of the
growth of the present rules now in
force in the house he addressed him
self to the petition recently presented
? by labor leaders to the president ano
congress asking favorable considera-
, ton of the measure deemed OF i'm
portance to the men for whom they
l spoke -.
/ Arguing that the petition was quite
: the most significant utterance or the
+ sort in recent economic history he a
1.-The political party in power is, as
an organization, the agent of the doml'
nant economic force of the age, those
[ forces tend to c~apitalistic combination
If unrestrained and u~nregulated they
threaten the stability of the social or
der and workingmen of the country
i NAV Justly feel an especial interest II
SURFING the rapacity Of these organized
appetites which exict either by thu
, warrant or the permission of the laws
= In this enterprise these petitioners be
come allies of all members Of, society
not Immediately associated in TIT
/ scheme Of spoilation and plumber
When thus engaged they cease to be
e faction. but became the representative
{ of the general welfare. Instead o.
neriting the ~appellation Of agitator
and disturbers they range themselve'
5 among the conservative elements o.
S our institutions in furtherance of VIVA
a has become the great patriotic politica
e duty of the hour-the restoration Ii
:, the republic of the ancient standard
: Of justice and equality under the law
the mingled safety and progress tina
constitutes the goal and the sanction
0 of democratic government"
During the late afternoon Eary AM
S and Lady Grey were interested specta
tors in the reserved gallery and afte
the house adjourned with Senate
Newlands held quite a reception in tn
room of the speaker.
= Mr.. Lee, (Ga.), DEPRESSING from tn
e appropriation bill, said that he did no