The Washington herald., 1908-04-06

Alphonse and CASTOR. those somewhat
picturesque and very polite Frenehmen
of the colored supplement-. will make
their first appearance on the Great Amer
lean Stage of the House of Representa-
ttves to-day.
The Republican majority will be faith
fully portrayed by Aiphonse. while the
lesser of these two most gentlemanly
creatures viii be ably portrayed by the
minority
Leon in this case-Leon, over whom
both will bow and scrape-wiu be the
employers liability bin. which has al
ready been reported 10 the House from
the Committee on the judiciary.
II the great drama Is not TO be par
ticipated in-outside Of the vote-by all
the members present, it may be truly
said then that the spectators will be
many, for every Representative IN Wash
ington has by this time been notified to
be on hand early to avoiS the rush.
Both Leaders Prepared.
Both Republican and Democratic lead
ers have prepared for this great play,
which may be seen only this once in our
city at the present session. Yesterday
the whips OF both parties sent out letters
to all Representatives Of their persuasion
requesting that they fail not to be in
their seats this morning, as great busi-
ness is a-eoming.
For the nonce the Democratic fhbuster
is suspended, and John Sharp Williams
and his faithful cohorts will back the
liability bill. alias Leon. until the last
ditch or even beyond. II is the intention
OF the Democratic leaders to have every
man within reach OF the telephone or
messenger all the time. Every member
has been directed to vote aye" on the
liability bill.
This vote OF AYE" if is asserted. viii
show not only that the minority is in
favor of affirmative legislation, as It's
leader has already declIred upon the
floor, but It will show almost as con-
clusively. If not so clearly. that the fiili-
buster Of the last few days has not been
unsuccessful
The Democrats are 10 be on the job all
the long. long day. which begins at the
early hour of T. There will, c0nse-
quently. be a quorum always ready to
do business with the liability bill, or any
other important measure.
May Pass In Ten Minutes.
The minority intends to show that the
employers liability biIl-Mr. Leon-ai-
ready favorably reported from a com
mittee dominated. Of course, by RepubH-
cans, may pass the House in ten minutes.
For this reason to-day the Democracy of
the House will play CASTOR
About the part of Alphonse there is
just a small cloud Of doubt Serena
T. Payne, floor leader Of the majority
has already declared-just a few days
since-that no sane man ever doubted
that an employers liability biz would
pass the House this session
Every Republican in the House has been
warned to be present for the very good
reason that this liability bill and other
important measures are 10 be taken up
under a suspension Of the rules.
It really looks upon the surface of
things rs If Judge John J. jenkins, chair
man of that committee which Col VIII
lam Peter HEPBURN has opprobriously
named the graveyard, " will only have to
ask the HOUSE to take the matter up. and
it viii then sail through, like a Rough
Rider does through the higher ranks OF
our army.
But there may be some yet undiscovered
and hardly thought-of fly swimming about
in the yet uncongealed ointment Of the
liability bill. To-day he may freeze there
IN all his glory and the bill not pass gayly
through in peace.
4 Great tranquility.
Upon the face of things. however. there
is great tranquility. and if all prognos-
tieations are to be relied upon, the liza
bility bill viii go through. This bill has
been framed TO meet the objections OF
the Supreme Court to the one which Il
has already declared unconstitutional
The bin which that high tribunal found
unconstitutional was held possessed and
wrapped in so much of ambiguity that
its provisions applied not only to inter-
state commerce. but TO intrastate. This
defect, It is said, has been remedied in
the Sterling bill.
While between the Republicans and
Democrats, Alphonse and Castor, there
viii be, perhaps, a merry yet friendly
race to see whose aye shall beat loud
est upon the stained glass of the cham
ber, there may be more rejoicing and
mirth at a portion OF the Capital City
somewhat removed from the halls upon
the Hill.
It would seem. indeed. that Congress
has at last walked up, ana that it is now
about to enact some Of that legislation
which President Roosevelt has demanded.
The consideration of this liability bill,
therefore, cannot be looked upon with
a heavy heart ia the White House
So indeed. win other people in the
Capital City and elsewhere be interested
in to-days doings upon the Hill The
labor unions are not averse TO the pas
sage of this bill; in fact, they very much
desire it.
Who VIII Claim Its
In truth. it is probable that the liability
bill will be claimed by the Republican
majority by the Democrats, who really
deserve much of the credit for forcing it
out; perhaps by the President. and pos
sibly By the labor unions,
Since Speaker Cannon will have a
chance to let it go through, he viii
surely receive some credit for this course.
President Roosevelt. since he has de-
manded it Of Congress. viii obtain some
reflected glory.
When the bin gets over to the Senate,
Senators Knox, La Toilette, and Foraker
can all speak upon It and give their
views TO the country. while the Vice
President can help put It through.