Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1908-05-01
WASHINGTON News.

Special Correspondence Washington,
ID. c., April %.
The present Congress will go down
in History as standpat, do nothing
body at war with the chief Executive.
The Republican leaders have plainly
told President Roosevelt, through theii
envoy, Congressman Watson, just
what legislation will be put through
before the session ends.
Il S3me kind of currency legislation.
Prohibitingc labor in the District
of Columbia.
Authorizing the Ways and Means
Committee of the House, and the FL
nance Committee of the Senate, to
give hearings preliminary to revision
Of the tariff.
An appropriation for the Inland
WATERWAYS Commission.
This ultimatum leaves over all the
principal reform and remedial legisla
ton recommended by the President
until after election, if ever. The Re
publican leaders intended to adjourn
Congress on May 9, but in Difference
to the Presidents wishes will continue
in session until after the conference
here of the governors ard others invited
by the President to consider our tina
tural resources" From now on the
leaders of Congress will work rapidly i,
paying heed to the appropriation bills
first and their own pet local measures
afterwards.
Whether President Roosevelt will
submit to the ultimatum of the Repub-
lican leaders IL not certain. 1t is re-
ported by some OF his friends that he
will try to upset their plans by induc-
| ing enough Congressman to act with
the Democrats, who are fighting for
con sideration Of the legislation he has
recommended. Whether the President
can induce the necessary twenty-nine
Republican members to join with the
Democrats, and overthrow gag rule, is
very problematical, and not probable.
The Carnon machine holds them in
it's grasp, and their local legislation
and campaign funds for the election OF
those in close districts is under the
control of the machine; and but few
will dare to defy it.
The campaign for the nomination OF
Presidential candidates of botl parties
is reaching the interesting point where
La show down will soonj be necessary
and further prognostlcation is, worth
less. Both parties are still uncertain
OF results, The TAFT people claim that
he will be nominated on the first bal
lot, and the,friends of Mr.. Bryan are
equally insistent that he will be NOM
mated 5but.as as they are considering
the rescindingsof the two-thlrds rule,
their claim is evidently not born of
certainty. The friends of Governor
johnson and.Judge Gray insist that
already Overcome third of the eonvea :
ton is assured for them, and that the
probability Of a majority favoring some
other candidate than Mr.. Bryan is
quite possible. There appears to be q
growing disposition to send unin-
structed delegates to the convention
to take { advantage of all that
may occur in the thine between
now and July $50 as to 'endeav5r to
unite the party onIthe most available
candidate. - nss,z n f-,y ~
r During the past week all the conven-
tons but that ofsDelaware, which in
structsd for Judge Gray, have sent I'm
instructed delegations: and 1t isreport-
ed that New Jersey Connecticut Mass
achusetts, New Hampshire, ORTIZ and
South kCarolina,, Georgia., Florida,
Louisiana, and probably. the Pacific
Coast States, will do thej same; lFwhile
Alabama issexpected to instruct for
Mr.. Bryan y All the states"!which" do
not instruct for Mr.. Bryansare regard