Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-03-17

Say unto you mere, love your
enemies" said DR.. Hale in begin
ming his prayer at the opening of
the senate today, but Senator
Platt was the only member pres
ent to listen to the admopition.
The chamber soon filled and by
the time Senator Tillman took the
floor to present his report on the
railroad bill there was an average
attendance. The report was award
ed the unusual distinction of being
read at length.
Washington, D. c., March 15.-Sen-
ator Tillman today presented to the
senate his report from the com mittee
on Interstate commerce on the house
railroad bill. which, he said, expressed
his views, but he did not pretend to
speak for any other member of the
committee.
The senator declared it to be his be-
lief that the bill should be amended
but that the amendments should not be
OF character to impair or prevent the
accomplishment Of the objects of legis-
lation, which are set forth best, he
says, in the Presidents message to
congress. He emphasized the need Of
regarding the measure as a non-parti-
san one, but predicted that the issue
created will be the paramount one in
the next presidential election.
Tillman recommended that amend
ments to the bill be adopted which
would give relief to the anomalous
and outrageous condition of affairs dis
closed as existing in West Virginia"
Takes Up Court Review.
The report embodied the first clear
and concise statement of the differ
ences concerning court review feat
ures and other proposed amendments
that had made a unanimous report
from the committee impossible.
Without hesitancy the senator de-
clared it to be his belief that the bill
should be amended, but that amend
ments should not be of a character to
impair or prevent the accomplishment
of the objects of the legislation, which
are set forth best, he says, in the Pres
ident's message to congress. He en-
phasized the need of regarding the
measure as nonpartisan, but predict
ed that the issue created will be para
mount in the next presidential cleo
ton. AS to the effect he said:
"Those who are responsible for de-
lay or inadequate legislation will find
that when at last the flood gates of
popular wrath and indignation are
hoisted there will have been some fine
grinding done"
Mr.. Tillman prefaced his report by
speaking of the peculiar circumstances
ruling the committees actions on the
house bill, which made it an embar-
RAISING task to submit views that
would be concurred in by the commit
tee as whole. Commenting upon
the absence of harmony in the COM
mittee's deliberations, the report says:
t'Instead of beine amended in COM
mittee as is usual, SO as to command
as a whole the Endorsement and sup
port of majority of it's members, the
bill was brought into the senate in
i form not entirely satisfactory to more
than two members. Party lines in
the committee were broken down and
the bill is in the senate by reason of
the union of five members of the mi
nority party and three members Of the
majority party in congress who con-
Cured in reporting it favorably; and
while these eight senators are agreed
as to the general purpose and scope
of the bill, there are radical differ
ences among them as to the amend
ments that ought to be incorporated
in it to make it fully adequate to- meet
| the demands of the business interests
of the country at this time.
Why Tilman Reports.
sFThis lack of harmony among the
supporters of the bill-it would be
speaking with more accuracy to say
the supporters of the policy involved in
the bill-brings about the anomalous
situation in which a member of the
minority party in congress is put in
charge in the senate Of proposed leg
islation which is generally regarded
throughout the country as the cher
ished scheme of the President, with
whose general policy and principles
that member is not in accord. At the
same time the bill is designed to car
nv into effect his own long-cherished
convictions and the thrice-reiterated
demands of the party to which he be-
longs"
| A Non-Partisan Bill.
Emphasizing the claim that this
condition is without precedent in leg
islative history, Mr.. Tillman says it
brings into prominence the fact that
the proposed legislation is non-parti-
san and is so recognized as a result of
1.-THE unanimous support given it by the
minority in the house and the few op-
posing votes-only seventh that en-
! tire body. ut therefore follows" says
Mr.. Tillman, "if events shall prove
that this measure has broken down
party lines IN both branches of con-
gress, that the conclusion will be al
most inevitable that it will be framed
so as to accomplish the results intend
| ed or claimed to be intended b both