Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-02-07
IN THE HOUSE.

washington, Feb. b.-POlltlcal speech
making came to an end for the time
being in the House of Representatives
today and actual consideration of the
Indian appropriation bill was re-
sumed. A bitter fight was waged on
the proposal to abolish non-reservation
schools and the subject was discuss
ed throughout the afternoon. The
question was raised by an amendment
by Delegate Smith, Arizona, to restrict
the appropriation for collecting Indian
children for schools and transporting
them there to the state in which they
live.
\ characteristic speech by Mr..
Clayton of Alabama was delivered, his
text being the Presidents recent spe-
cial message to Congress. That mes
sage, he said, adopted in every partic-
uiar the principles advocated by the
Democratic party. 1T is no wonder"
he said. "that its reading provoked
some Democratic applause" He char
acterized the message as remarka-
bic document from a most remarkable
man, man who has dominated his
party, q man who today dominates his
party"
Clayton chided the Republicans for
what he said was their weak applause
Of the Presidents message. 1T is an
Indictment against his own party,
he remarked in stentorian tones.
When the Democratic applause had
subsidized Mr.. Clayton added: 1.-THE
President not only indcts you, but he
furnishes the proof to convict you"
General laughter greeted him when.
facing the Republicans, he said: IF OH
that side q mothers son of you en-
joyed that message, I failed to dis
cover it," The Republican reception of
the message, he declared, had been
more solemn than a funeral process
SIGN.
The Republicans Gid not like the
message, he charged because there
was TOO much Big Stick on the one
hand 10 suit the reactionists and not
quite enough to arouse the enthusl-
asm of the White House Cuckoos. He
held UP the Republicans as a party
divided into two factions, mot war
ring factions" he said, amid Demo-
cratic laughter, because you have
laid down."
The Republicans, he declared, were
not even fighting for their convic-
ton.
The Democratic, Mr.. Clayton said,
had not heard any protest against the
use of the big stick" which was be-
ing welded over the heads of the Re-
publicans except the feeble utterance
of Mr.. Doutell of Illinois, who had the
courage to stand up and champion the
cause of Uncle Joe" Cannon.
Applause greeted this declaration.
but Mr.. Clayton said the applause was
OILY pcrfunctory. 80" he said, amid
laughter, and addressing the Republic
cans:
You White House Cuckoos and you
reactionaries--the two hostile camps
into which you are divided-there isn't
one of you except Mr.. Bouten with
nerve enough to declare for anybody.
He caused loud applause when he
said he had heard no one in the House
declare for Vice President Fairbanks.
to whom he referred as that walking
advertisement for refrigerator to say
nothing of cocktails"
Mr.. Clayton mentioned other avOwed
political candidates. Senator Foraker,
Mr.. Clayton called that great sena-
tor. that champion of what he be-
loved to be right, whether you or !
subscribe to it or not: that man of
nerve and conscience" who, he said,
was at war with the great Me Too
candidate of the White House. refer
ring to Secretary Taft.
Clayton spoke of 1.-The vast army of
unemployed" and charged the indus
trial condition to the Republicans.
He secured permission to insert in
the Congressional Record Mr. Bryan's
Chou Shall not steal" delivered in
Carnegie hall. New York. Feb. a, and
predicted that Mr. Bryan would be
the next President of the United
States.
Johnson of Kentucky spoke briefly
on the Presidents message, and like
other Democrats said it was simply an
endorsement of Democratic policies.
General debate on the Indian appro-
priatiOn bill then closed and the bill
was taken up for amendment.