Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-02-04

Washington, Feb. 3.-Three of the
| leaders in the House of representatives
had their innings today. Technically
the Indian appropriation bill was I'M
der discussion, but legislation was rel
egated to the background and nation
al politics were discussed.
Before the political debate cropped
out, the House with next to the larg-
est attendance of the session present
with but one dissenting vote, passed
the Sulloway general widows pension
bill. granting a pension of So n
month to the widows of all honorably
discharged soldiers of the United
States who have not heretofore re-
ceived the benefits of the pension law
and an increase of 81 month for those
who have under the act of June 81.
1880. The law expressly valves the
limitation of property holdings. The
bill involves the expenditure of more
than $12,0O0,000 annually.
The political debate was opened by
Mr.. Townsend of Michigan, who, in
a prepared speech, claimed for the
Republican party credit for all nation
al legislation in the past 90 years of
VITAL Interest 10 tIlc puDllc.
In this he was vigorously disputed
by MIR. Cockrane of New York. who
afterward launched into discussion
Of the Presidents message of few
days ago, the remarks frequently
evoking applause on both sides of the
chamber He spoke of the Presidents
love of justice and said that it had
been charged that the President was
indiacreet. Can it be taken as a re-
Droach against any public servant" he
asked, "that his love of justice is so
strong that it does not comport with
the interests of the people,"
He referred to President Roosevelt
as a crusader. 1.-The only one the Re-
publicans had but he said the Pres
dent was disqualified. His nominal
ton by you or us" he continued,
"would be personal dishonor."
The President had renowned the
field of politics and had taken no
BILE position before the civilized world
Never before in the history Of the
country, he said. had President who
was the object of the bitterest at
tacks, and was hated as a public Of
ficer never before was hated, been
dDle 10 in lhS NoliNieAoAio
upon which the parties would contend.
Loud applause greeted this remark
and the one which followed that there
Was "a Democratic crusader in Mr.
Bryan"
Mr.. Cockrane then said: eve have
a crusader as to whom there is some
doubt as to whether he is not too
strenuous 1 opposed him in the past.
I might still oppose him, but l be-
Iieve this message has outlined the
conditions under which he becomes
the fore ordained champion of law and
order"
The applause which this utterance
evoked among the Democrats was so
great that it was some time before Mr..
Cockrane could proceed.
Still referring to Mr.. Bryan. Cock
rane continued that if he (Bryan) de-
clare1 himself the champion of the
principles which were directly and in
directly embodied in the Presidents
message, eff he represents the deter
minatlon to prosecute malefactors for
their crimes and if a rigorous enforce
ment Of the law should result in con-
costing the criminal courts. then the
plunderers of millions will be given
precedence in the pathway to prison
over the pilferers of Pennsylvania.
Mr. Hepburn also defended the Pres
idents message and said that condem-
nation of it came only from the great
malefactors of the age, land the gen.
tlemen from Ohio" meaning Senator
Foraker.
While the debate was on almost ev-
erv seat on the floor and in the gal
leries was occupied.
The House adjourned until tomor-
row.