The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-03-05
SHOW Of STRENGTH|
: IN CLOSING DAYS.
When Democrats Get Together
Their Power in Congress
Is Felt.
STAND RY RAILWAY MEN
Effect Defeat of Legislation That
That Would Have Been
Hurtful to Them.
sY WALTER EDWARD HARRIS.

BY WALTER EDWARD HARRIS.
WASHINGTON, ID. c., March 4-fIad
the Democrats of the Senate and House
of Representatives shown throughout the
session the spirit and virility manifested
In the week preceding the expiration OF
the Fifty-nnth Congress, they would
have mad far better record upon which
to stand when appeal IL made to the
country next year. While twelve weeks
OF the session, which closed to-day, were
marked by discussions, backbitlng and
lack Of organization lumiliatng to
party men, the past week furnished OPP
portunities for the display Of certain
qualities which are eminently proper to
be shown by IL minority in legislative
assembly.
The Democrats united as single man
20 oppose the mutilated and emasculatcd
railway service bill, which the Commit
tee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce
reported to the House. The bill, as 1T
passed the Senate through the efforts of
Senator LaFollette. the author. and the
Democrats of the body, prohibited abso-
iuteiy the employment of trainnan
more than sixteen hours out OF the
twenty four. But the House committee
held UP the measure for month or
more, while the corridors were thronged
with railway employees, representing la
Dor organizations they claimed, urging
members to vote against the bill. 1t
was claimed by these cmissaries that the
measure. II enacted into law, would
greatly reduce the earnings OF trainmen,
an they were paid according to the num-
Der o! miles made.
Secured Real Protection.
Several members of the House yielded
In, fni IN
announced that they would withhold their
support OF the bill. One of the Virginia
representatives said he would not vote
for the BILL believing that 1t was not III
the interest of the employees OF the rali-
roads. But rs soon as the organizations
learned OF the fact that some OF their
members were claiming to represent the
unions. they promptly took action dis
claiming that the LaFolette bill was In
!inica To the interests OF the employees,
and sent representatives here to set tue
members right. About the time these
arrived the Committee on Interstate and
Foreign Commerce reported the bill 10
the House. amended along the lines suE-
grsted by the railroads themselves. II
was n shock to the committee of course.
when the Democrats of the House showed
themselves SO much alive that they COM
PEELED the bill to be amended so as tn
provide real protection to the trainmerl
and the public by limiting hours OF SER
Sice to sixteen out OF the twcnty-four.
The hill had to be withdrawn and
amended along the lines Indicated by the
Democrats and Republican insurgents.
Among other amendments finally added
chiefly through the efforts OF Senator Nc
Creary, of Kentucky, was that limiting
to nine hours the time railway telegra-
piu.r may be employed during the twenty
four.
Ship Subsidy Bill.
= The defeat of the ship subsidy bill. by
the exercise Of obstructive tactics during
the last forty-eight hours of the session
was a striking illustration OF what tht
Democrats could accomplish when they
try. The bill was defeated In the House
on Saturday, but passed by a slight mar,
gin on a motion to reconsider, the Re
pubicans having got in enough member:
to pull IL through. But the Democrats o
the Senate took the cue, and by keepint
the floor for the better part OF n legisla
tive day. put to death bill which woult
have cost the people of the country un
told millions. paid to rich ship-owners
without corresponding benefits to thu
Overwhelming majority of the population
Williams for Leader Again.
1t was announced positively to-day tina
considerably more than a majority Of TIL
u petition, addressed to Rcpresentat!v
John Sharp Williams, asking him to b
the minority candidate for the speaker
ship when the next House Is organized
This means, II correct. that Mr. vii
liams is to be elected leader of the Dem
ocrats again, Notwithstanding eli thu
talk there has been of electing Mr.. Dear
mond. While the selection Of Mr.. VIII
liams Is probable, 1t is not believed tina
majority of the Democrats of the Hous
have indicated their preference for hin
The Kentucky delegation has not eS
pressed an opinion; the Tennessee dele
cation is still holding Oft, thinking tina
1t may be that Representative Moon, Z
that State, will be a candidate for til
honor, and n large number of represent
atiyes scattered throughout the othc
States refuse to express an opinion a
TO the qualities of the two candidates.
Virginia Delegation Divided.
The Virginia delegation. of cours
Is divided 1t always is. The nine Dem,
Gratis of the House representing vi
Ginia have the faculty of disagreeir
fully developed, as has been oil
served in Washington. It Is not n
called that they have been united {
any proposition of especial impor
ance in several years. and the outloc
for unanmity Is not good Mr.. Ola
and Captain Lamb are the membe