The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1908-05-15
WHOLE PARTY IS RESPONSIBLE
Republicans Must Answer 20 Country
for Action In Congress.

FNH'H'N ~ ~H'f 49,
The house % representatives has
now become but a machine 10 regis.
ter the cdicts of Speaker Cannon and
Dalzell and two or three other stand.
paiterH and trust protectors. Those
Who blame the speaker for wielding
his enormous power adversely 10 the
evident wishes Of the public must re-
member That no Is supported In run.
ming h.s auiocratlc machine by the
votes of an the Republican members
The vote Of 20 Republicans IN con
junction with the Democrats. could de-
pose him from power or again make
the house OF representatives a DELHI
oratiye assembly but not one Repub-
lican member has so far dared 10 show
independence for fear OF what the
machine would do to crush him. n Is
come 90 the pass that congressman
who are in theory supposed 10 repre-
sent the people and carry out their
viii have surrendered their power Ia
the three Republican members Of the
committee on rules. namely, the speak
or and the two other members ap.
pointed by him. who are therefore but
messenger boys 70 do his bidding.
Leaving tho Democratic members out
~ the question and looking at the
matter from the Republican point %
view. how many Republican voters
are satisfied with this condition.
II referendum vote OF the Repub-
lican voters OF the country could be-
taken on the question % repeating the
tarir tax on wood pulp and print pa
per. Is u not certain that but few
would oppose a.? Yet Speaker Can.
non refuses 10 allow the bill 20 be re-
ported from the ways and means com
mittee
on March 10 Mr. Ridder. president
% the American Newspaper Publish.
ors' association. wrote 10 Congress
man Payne. chairman Of the commit.
tee. requesting that a hearing be
granted upon the bills relating to free
paper and pulp on March 81 Mr.
Payne replied. stating that.
The majority Of the committee de-
termlned early IN the session that II
would not be wise 10 enter upon a 70
vision o. the tariff during this year
thus adding 20 the uncertainty and dis.
| quiet always caused by a presidential
election They also had IN mind the
disturbance caused by the recent
I panic ln order 90 avoid all agitation.
they decided that they would have no
hearings upon any subject affecting
the tariff rates After receiving your
letter ] again met With a majority OF
the members Of the committee aud
they adhered TO their opinion. I there
foro feel authorized 20 say 20 you
I there viii be- no hearing upon tariff
rates until after the presidential cleo.
I tion."
This reply e. but an exhibition of
I arrogance on the part OF the ma.
iority" r5Snnsrs % ways and means
committee Democratic members
not haviRE Soen consolidation who Is
I silly enough "a believe that a single
/ btu putting print paper and wood pulp
on the free list would disturb the
/ business of the country or add 10 the
I uncertainty and disquiet always
caused By a presidential election" n
/ Mr. Payne and the other Republicans
/ had stated that Il would disturb the
/ business OF the paper combine and
I probably prevent a liberal contribution
20 the Republican campaign fund. they
would have come nearer 10 the truth.
/ This free paper and pulp bin Is one OF
those recommended by President
I Roosevelt which the Democrats are
now trying 90 force the Republicans
/ 90 consider. and Is but a sample Of
other Nils that the Republican ma.
I jorlty % congress refuse 20 consider.
Every Republican In congress is
backing Speaker Cannon and the ma.
I iority ~ the ways and means commit.
F tee In this donoihing policy. New
drastic rules t1 prevent the minority
from even discussing the bills recon.
mcnded by the president have been
adopted The voters that believe In
these reforms viii doubtless remem.
Der the standrat action OF their repre-
sCntaiiyes when election day rolls
around and accept no excuses that
they were standing with the majority
of their party. for surely a Republican
member of congress could politically
anord TO stand by the president