Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1908-05-15
WHOLE PARTY IS RESPONSIBLE

The house of representatives has now
become but a machine to register the
edicts Of Speaker Cannon ond Dalzell
and two or three other stand. patters and
trust protectors. Those who blame the
speaker for welding his enormous power
adversely to the evident wishes of the
public, must remember that he is sup
ported in running his autocratic mach
inc by the votes of all the republican
members. The vote of 80 republicans
in conjunction with the democrats,
could depose him from power or again
make the house of representatives o de-
Lucrative assembly, but not one repub-
lican member has so far dared to show
independence for fear of what the ma.
chine would do to crush him. 1t is come
to the pass that congressman who are in
theory supposed to represent the people
and carry out their will. have surren-
dered their power to the three republi-
can members of the committee on rules.
namely, the speaker and the two other
members appointed by him, who are
therefore but messenger boys to do his
bidding. Leaving the democratic mem
bers out of the question and looking at
the matter from a republican point of
view, how many republicans are salts
fled with this condition.
If u referendum vote of the republican
voters of the country could DO taken on
the question of repeating the tariff tax
on wood pulp and print paper. is it not
certain that but few would ppose It'll
Yet, Speaker Cannon refuses to allow
the bill to be reported from the WAYS
and means committee.
On March 10, Mr.. Ridder, president
of the American Newspaper Publishers
association, wrote to Congressman
Payne, chairman of the committee, re.
questing that q hearing be granted upon
the bills relating to free paper and pulp.
On March 81 Mr.. Payne replied, stat
ing that:
THE majority of the committee de.
termined early in the session that it
would not he wise to enter upon a re-
vision of the tariff during this year, thus
adding to the uncertainty and disquiet
always caused by presidential election.
They also had in mind the disturbance
caused by the recent panic. In order
to avoid all agitation, they decided that
they would have no hearings upon any
subjects affecting the tariff rates. After
receiving your letter I met with q ma.
jority of the members of the committee
and they adhered to their opinion. 1
therefore feel authorized to say to you
there will be no hearing upon tariff
rates until after the presidential cleo
ton"
This reply is but an exhibition of ar
rogance on the part of tho majority"
members of the ways and means com.
mittee - the democratic members not
having been constellation who is silly
enough to believe that a single bill put
ting print paper and wood pulp on the
free list would disturb the business of
the country or add to 'the uncertainty
and disquiet always caused by u presi-
Dental election" If Mr.. Payne and the
other republicans had stated that it
would disturb the business of the paper
combine and probably prevent q liberal
contribution to the republican cam
paign fund, they would have come
or to the truth. This free paper and
pulp bill Is one of tnose recommended
by President Roosevelt, which the demo-
Gratis are now trying to force the repub-
licans to consider, and is but q sample of
other bills that the republican majority
of congress refuses to consider.
Every republican, in congress is back
ing Speaker Cannon and the majority
of the ways and means committee in
this do.nothing policy. New drastic
rules to prevent the minority from even
discussing the bills recommended by the
president have been adopted. The voters
that believe in these reforms will doubt
less remember tho stand.pat action of
their representatives when election day
rolls around and accept no excuses that
they were standing with the majority
Of their party. for surely o republican
member Of congress could politically
afford to stand by the president.--Ex,