Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1906-03-17
WASHINGTON LETTER

Washington, d. c., March, IA
Practically every proposition con-
tended for by Congressman J. w.
Babcock during this session of con-
gress pertaining to the important
national questions has been deter
mined favorably to his contention.
First came the Philippine tariff bill
affecting the tobacco growers of his
district, which he so strongly fought
upon the ways and mears commit
tee, and against which the great
majority of the Wisconsin delega-
ton voted. This measure to all
practical intents, is killed by the
senate committee refusing to report
it favorably. The next important
legislation was the joint statehood
bill, upon which Congressman Bah
cock led the insurgent fight and
again was supported by practically
all the Wisconsin members. The
senate on Friday put the finishing
touches to this measure by amend
ing it to permit Oklahoma and In
dian Territory to be admitted as one
state and denying statehood to Ari-
IONA and New Mexico. This is ex-
actly the view taken by the Wiscon-
sin insurgents, and the measure is
now before the house to concur in
the senate amendents. Congress
man Babcock and his associates will
support the measure as it comes
from the senate and if the bill is
killed, the result will be laid to the
men who control the house organic
alton.
~
Senator Spooner distinguished
himself in the debate upon the joint
statehood bill, and by his argument
contributed much to the defeat of
that measure. He was joined by
many others of the strongest sup
porters of President Roosevelt in
the senate and the proposition to
submit the question of statehood to
the votes of the two territories was
carried by large vote. After this
was adopted, an amendment was
passed cutting Arizona and New
Mexico from the bill. Senator La
Toilette voted against the PROPOSE
ton permitting the voters of Ari-
IONA and New Mexico to have a
voice in saying whether or not they
wanted statehood, and voted with
the joint statehood men on all pro-
positions, with one exception.
Congressman III. G. Adams Of the
second district has accepted an in
vitation to address the mem bers Of
one of the leading republican or
CARNATIONS Ill the west, at Duluth
during the last of the month.
Among the public speakers in the
membership of congress few men
are IN greater demand than Is
Adams. His speech before the Wis
consin society in New York discuss
ing the view point OF the insurgents,
gave him national prominence. 1t
is claimed that his Minnesota ad-
dress will be along the same line
of thought.
~
While the personal relations of
Senator Spooner lof Wisconsin and
Senator Tillman of South Carolina,
are the most pleasant and the most
intimate friendship prevails, no two
men clash more often on the floor
Of the senate. At times the debate
grows heated and fingers are often
requisitioned as menacing inStru-
ments pointing across the center isle
of the chamber when the two men
engage in a debate. The other day
Senator Spooner was called upon to
defend veto message of the presi-
dent from the Onslaughts of the
vigorous South CarOlinian, and in
the heat of the discussion the senate
and galleries were entertained.
After 1t was all over the two men
left the floor in earnest converse
ton apparently none the worse for
their jousting exercise with other
senators. Tillman is unable to pre-
serve his patience, but when it
comes to Spooner, senatorial ameni-
ties are usually preserved.
~
Among the Washington cartoon
lists as we'll as with the papers of
the country generally, Senators
Spoonerand LaFollette takea romi-
nent part. The other day one of the
leading papers depicted the two
WISCONSIN SaDatOT,C ar the fe6aT.a I