The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1907-12-12
WASHINGTON.
From our Regular Correspondent.


Washington, D. c., Dec. 9. 1907
When the Sixtieth Congress met
last week it was with the increase
of approximately fifty Democrats
in the House and two Democrats
in the Senate. That is, the two
new Democratic Senators from
Oklahoma were present, although
they will not be sworn in until they
have been duly elected by the leg
islature of their state. Somewhat
emboldeped by their increase in
membership, the Democrats in tn.
House made an earnest although
unsuccessful attack on the House
rules, whereby the speaker is given
greater power than a European
Sovereign, far greater power than
was intended by the makers of the
constitution. Unexpected help
was received from Representative
Cooper of Wisconsin, a Republican,
but after a short period of fill
clustering, Speaker Cannon rallied
his followers and the old rules were
adopted.
rsH
Because Of the death of the two
distinguished Senators from Ala
bama, John I. Morgan and Ed
mund Winston Pcttus, there was
somber tone injected in the opening
proceedings of the Senate and both
houses adjourned as mark of re-
spect as soon as they had completed
their organization. AT the caucus
held after the first days session,
Senator Baily was practically elimi-
mated from the councils of the mi
nority in the Senate and his colea-
que, Senator Culberson, was elect
ed minority leader Mr. Bailey
fought his way inch by inch but
was defeated at every turn and fin
ally retired vanquished. His un-
governable temper and his record
in connection with the Standard Oil
Company, in his own state, preci-
pitated his downfall.
F4T
On Tuesday the Presidents S mes
sage came in to Congress and was
listened to with attention. 1t is a
noticeable fact that the Republicans
in Congress are thoroughly DISCUS
ted with their President and few of
them had good word to say of his
message. There is little that is
new in the document which con-
tains chiefly repetitions of what
had been said before in messages
and speeches. As John Sharp Will
lia,::s put it, "There is little that
is new in the message and what
there is is bad" Mr.. Roosevelt Is
being everywhere criticised for his
failure to say one word on the sub
ject of economy. 1t is generally
felt that there is going to be per-
iod of retrenchment in business and
it is held that the government also
should curtail its expenses. In
stead of doing SO, however, it is
steadily increasing them and Mr..
Roosevelt, who last year declared
that he would be contented with an
addition of one battleship year to
the navy, this year demands four
new ships and total appropriation
for naval increase of 500, 600, 900,
a sum the appropriation of which
would be outrageous.
*+*
There seems to be something in
the atmosphere which is provoca-
tive of rows. 1t was only last week
that Mr.. BRYAN and Senator Daniel
of Virginia had row in one of the
leading hotels. Now it is Mr.. Bry,
an and Senator Stone of Missouri
who have fallen out, while the row
between Culberson and Bailey Is
still only two days. Why Senator
Stone and Mr.. Bryan should have
fallen out is not clear, although II
is known 20 have been over the
national craftsmanship of the Demo
cratic committee.
***
Whatever may or may not be the
result to the country, 1t IS perfectly
evident that the Republican leaders
have no intention of passing any
financial legislation at the dictatior
of the President. They are dispos