The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1909-05-25

Jokes In Congress Over the
Import Schedules.
NEGRO'S WEAPON OF DEFENSE

The Razor Came to BE Such Before the
War Trying to Force Speakers
Hand on Committee Appointments.
An Interesting Volume on the Con-
ference of Governors.
Washington, May a. Especial -
Many attempts have been made to
convey the impression that IL this or
that policy is not pursued In congress
with reference to the construction of
the tariff bill to be eventually put
upon the senate books President Taft
will take a hand In other words,
those who are spreading information
of this sort contend that Mr.. Taft will
be compelled as the head Of the Re
publican party to use the power Of his
high Office to straighten out any tan
happen to discover. The best informa-
ton to be obtained Is that the presi-
dent is not directly bringing any infu-
ence to bear upon the men charged
with the responsibility of legislation.
The leading Republicans Of both the
senate and house, however, make fire.
quent calls upon Mr.. Taft. 1t is nat
ural that in the conversations from
day to day they should lay the situa-
ton before the executive with the idea
Of maintaining as much harmony as
possible, in view Of the fact that the
60 It'd Il
visions exist among Republicans in the
senate as to how far the downward
revision should CO.
Hard on coiored Population.
AS the senate bill makes an increase
in the duty upon razors, Senator Bailey
Of Texas is disposed to poke a good
deal of fun at the Republicans respon-
sible for the fixing Of that item. He
charged them with having beer unfair
and unjust to Republican voters in the
south, gleefully abiding to the fact
that 1t is the habit Of most negroes to
carry razors as weapons Of defense.
Thousands of negroes are brought an
nually before the police courts in
Washington When searched by the
officers about one In three will have a
razor about his person. In the days
OF slavery the southern states had
laws which prevented dealers from
selling pistols, guns, dirks or bowie
knives to negroes, but razors were
not put under the ban, 1t being claimed
that they were needed for shaving
purposes. Negroes could get nothing
else with which to defend themselves,
and that III how. they fell into the
habit OF s.toting" razors.
Tried TO Force Speakers Hand.
As trouble is threatened In the island
Of Porto Rico, the house Democrats /
tried to force Speaker Cannon to name
at once the committee on insular af-
fairs. 1t will be recalled that Uncle
Joe has so far appointed only four Of
the regular committees Of the house
only those absolutely necessary to
transact the limited amount Of bust
ness the house proposes to dispose of
this session. But the Republicans
blocked the plan of the Democrats.
Representative Cooper of Wisconsin
has been chairman Of the insular at
fairs committee during several terms.
At the beginning of the extra session
Mr.. Cooper lined up with the Repub
1ican insurgents and the Democrats
who were trying to curb the power
OF the speaker and the rules commit
tee. Mr.. Cannon has not made up his
mind fully just what he is going to
do with the insurgents, so 1t was not
wise to name this particular commit
tee and give his hand away SO early
In the game.
An Interesting Volume.
An unusual public document has just
come from the government printing
office. 1t is the record of the proceed
ings Of the first conference Of govern
ors of the United States held at the
White House year ago. The volume
is bound in green cloth lettered with |
gold. Every word that was said at the |
White House conference on the sub
Ject the governors discussed-the con-
servation of the country's natural re-
sources lis in the $50 pages which the
book embraces. One of the interest
Ing features Is history Of the origin
and plan OF the conference and a list |
OF names OF all those who participated |
In 1t. The frontispiece Is half tone
OF the photograph taken on the White
House portico, showing all the govern
ors, grouped with the president, vice
president, members Of the cabinet, jus
tices OF the supreme court and the
four special guests William Jennings
Bryan, Andrew Carnegie, James J.
Hill and John Mitchell There are
other illustrations.
Few Appointments at Present.
President Taft has practically given
Republican senator's and representa-
lives to understand that he is going
to make very few appointments until
after the tariff bill Is passed by con-
gress. This is not In any sense re-
garded as pressure upon the lawmak-
ars to hurry up or to pass the sort OF |
measure the president thinks should be
framed, but 1t is said to be due to |
Ehe fact that Mr.. Taft Is SO busy con-
Sxvf4t& "a ioa "A orc In nor