The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-14
THE PARTY I'm POWER
SEVERELY ARRAIGNED
Charges Panic to the Administra
tion, and Declares That Posi-
ton on the Tariff Is Pur-
posely Evasive-Bai1ey
and Aldrich Lock
Horns.
Times-Dlspatch Bureau,
Mfnsey Ruitdtpo

Washington. D. c.. Feb Ia. I.
Representattve Champ Clark. OF Mis-
souri, entertained the House to-day
with speech of more than an hour,
In which he discussed national aues-
tions with all the force and clearness
which make his utteranccs the delight
of his partisans. 1t was commented
upon by Democrats that the address
had In 1t more real Democratic doc
trine than is usually heard on the
fioor of either house these days, when
many doctrines enunciated by Demo-
Gratis are strange-sounding to old
timers of the party.
Mr.. Clark addressed his remarks all
most exclusively to the Republican side
of the House. He was scarcely inter-
rupted as he proceeded with terrific
arraignment OF the party in power,
taking as, his texts the recent money
stringency. which he termed flat-foot-
edly panic. and chargeable to Repub-
lican legislation. Much OF his speech
was devoted to speech delivered re-
Gently by Representative Hepburn, 1T
Iowa. and another by Representative
Payne. of New York. the Republican
floor leader.
Tariff reform whs a keynote OF his
speech. 1t was when discussing this
subject, expressing his distrust of Re-
publican declarations for 1t. and show
t'NSNA
the monopolistic combinations which
have affected the prosperity of the
masses of the people. that Democratic
applause was loudest.
But he is not a Democrat was the
way in which Mr.. Clark concluded that
portion of his speech devoted to the
President and the things he had done
which were commendable. The Dem
ocratic applause was deafening follow
ing this summing up.
Gives Credit to Madison.
There was nothing better In the
speech than the defense of the claim
of James Madison to the title of Father
of the Constitution. which "the New
England bookmakers," as Mr.. Clark
asserted. have been trying to takt
away from him In recent wears and
put upon Alexander HAMILTON Elihu
Root, the speaker declared; was chiefly
responsible for this latter-day attempt
to filch from Madison the title which
was rightfully his. The truth of the
matter was. he declared, Madison went
to the Constitutional Convention with
a plan for a Constitution. Alexander
Hamilton took a plan with him. The
Virginia delegation, headed by George
Washington, Endorsed Madison's, which
thereafter was known as the Virginia
plan. The convention rejected Hamil-
toms plan and adopted AIadison's.
1t was upon that action that rested
| the claim of Hamilton to the title OF.
Father Of the Constitution. This was
In reply to the speech of Mr.. Payne
few days ago. in which it was de-
clared that Alexander Hamilton was
really the father of the Constitution.
and that the principles of Hamilton,
and not those Of Jefferson. had pre-
| vailed in the convention.
The speech was notable contribu-
/ ton to the discussion of current polit-
ical questions, and will be widely cir
culated by the Democrats in the cam
/ paign neXt fall.
Bniley and Aldrich Lock.
The Senate considered the Aldrich
currency bill. making slow progress
Much time was spent discussing the
question OF whether 1t was proper to
say that bank was facing an "emer-
gency" when 1t was found necessary
to impair the reserve for any purpose.
| Mr.. Aldrich and Mr.. Bailey locked
horns on this question, Mr.. Aldrich con-
tending that such case was an emer-
| gency, while Mr.. Bailey contended that
the reserve was maintained for the
very purpose OF allowing the banker to
use 1t under certain conditions which
might very easily arise. and which
should not be regarded as emergency
/ conditions. me reserve WAS toi the
purpose Of enabling bank to pay a
depositor his money in case he de-
manded 1t when the bank had all Its
money save its reserve.
/ The debate. In which several Sena-
tors from both sides the chamber par
/ ticipated. demonstrated as nothing else
4 could have done the statement FREE
i quently made In this correspondence
that there Is a woeful lack of informa-
,Y,a, of frnnpraSS A.
4 garding the details of our banking
j system. 1t is unfortunate that there
should be such lack OF Information on
4 the part OF those expected to legislate
I for the relief OF financial conditions,
which all admit need Improvement,
!. CHAMP cI ARK,S SPEECH