Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1908-04-22
DoNoTHING POLICY
Congress Turns Down Roosevelt
Measures.

cial Correspondence. - Our repub- |
lican friends in congress are so much |
behind the times as to still continue
to be doing business at the legis-
latiye stand under the continuation
OF the legislative day Of Monday,
April g." as the Congressional Rec
ord puts IT, That day is, therefore,
the longest legislative day in the his
tory Of congress and is still contin-
uing. This is part of the plan to pre-
vent the wicked democrats from
forcing the republicans to pass some
Of the reform legislation recon-
mended by President Roosevelt and
approved by the democrats. Under
the continued strain of the do-nothing
policy, which IL producing remon-
STRANGE and protests from their con-
stituents, most of the republican con-
gressmen, especially the leaders, have
lost their tempers, II not their
usual foresight and political cum
ming. They are making history that
they feel Is not to their political ad-
vantage and yet cannot contrive a
way Of escape. While President
Roosevelt fires special messages from
the white house at them, the demo-
Gratis have them beleagured. and al
though the gag rules prevent the
minority from discussing legislation
to any great extent. yet the demo-
crat leaders find opportunity to tell
some unpalatable truths.
A struggle going ON Is to reach an
agreement for an early adjournment,
without getting a lecture from the
president and perhaps an extra SEES
sion called to consider the bills
recommended by him. The date for
adjournment agreed upon by the
republican leaders of both houses Is
May 10, but am informed by lead
ing republican that he does not think
1t possible to get through with the
necessary business before month
later but then this particular senator
Is inclined to back up the presidents
recommendation, and 80 may be
committed to the consideration of
such legislation.
The senate seems determined not
to be held responsible for the do
nothing policy Of the house of repre-
sentatives, for the army appropri-
alton bill was passed, carrying over
800, 200, 900, in about 80 minutes,
and the employers liability bill with
out amendment, as 1t came from the
house of representatives, although
the La Toilette bill and others on the
same subject were pending. 1t is
currently reported that the en-
ployers' liability bill as passed is I'M
constitutional like the former bill
passed at the last session.
The principal measures in the
house which remain to be disposed
of are the naval appropriation bill,
the sundry civil appropriation bill,
the diplomatic and consular APP
preparation bill and the military
academy appropriation bill.
As showing the strained conditions
between the white house and the
capitol, the appropriation for $685.
900 for the expenses OF the presi-
dent and his friends In travelling has
been omitted from the Legislative
appropriation bill, and as free rail-
: road trains are no longer legally
available, the president will have to
: pay his railroad fare and expenses OF
those who accompany him like the
balance of us after June 80.
The republican presidential sltu-
alton Is still unsettled. The virtual
failure of the friends of Governor
Hughes to control the New York
D delegation, and the split In the Mass.
a achusetts delegation, evidently helps
Secretary Taft; but am assured by
! republicans who should be well in.
formed. that the nomination of Taft
! Is still in doubt. am also told by
: those interested in the nomination OF
Senator Knox. that II Taft is moi
nominated on the first ballot the re.
dictionaries will finally center on the
man for whom the republicans Of
Pennsylvania have just declared.
The democratic situation has much
: changed since my last letter for thC
democrats of the great states OF New
York and Pennsylvania have de,
clared for uninstrueted delegates
: though Pennsylvania il reported IN
: favor of Judge Gray, and the major
lty OF the New Workers are said L
: be for Governor johnson. There Il
strong tendency among congress
men from southern states towards
Governor johnson. in consequence o.