East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1909-12-09
Progressive Members of Re-
Publican Party Prepared
tor Series of Battles.
LAY ON MACDUFF''
CRIES "UNCLE JOE
Efforts of Rcbclllous Congressman
Will be Directed Against Cannon
and Aldrich-WiIl Fight Organiza-
ton In Both Houscs-Spcakcr Can
non Has Balance of Power In His
Control of iIdrich
Leads In Senate.

washington. Dec. 9.-Encouraged
by the sentiment they found at their
respective homes this summer and the
general Western discomfort with the
Payne-Aldrich tariff law, the so-calleo
insurgents or progressive members OF
the republican party, are here in force
prepared to fight the organization in
Doth houses to standstill In this ses-
sion OF congress. But an examination
OF the state of affairs at the capitol
shows that they have n hard task
mapped out for them. Their fight
VIII consist largely in making things
as unpleasant as possible for Cannon
ard Aldrich
And we can worry them consider
ably" Congressman Murdoch. the red
haired insurgent leader from Kansas,
says with smile.
To which Uncle Joe smiles grimly
and remarks that he is used to un-
pleasant things by this time. And
then he pounds his desk with sleeves
rolled up and says, Let them come
on. I'm just spelling for a fight"
Split ON Several Issues.
in the special session last summer
was necessarily confined to the tariff
bill, but this winter the republicans
will split on several issues. The postal
savings bank. the tariff commission
IDEA, reform in interstate commerce
legislation, and several other things
that were promised by the platform of
both parties. will be storm centers.
after the regular appropriation bills
are disposed of ana perhaps in be-
tween times.
The big problem for the proEressivcs |
in the house is how to get vote on |
any Of these or kindred issues. The !
rules under which the lower house or |
congress does business were fromed so |
that recognition of a member is left |
to the speaker-and If the organiza-
tion of the house wants to discourage |
amendments to measures the congress-
man who is anXiously clamoring to |
present one finds that he can't catch
the speakers eye, Z
Power or Committees,
Then. too. the house considers only
those measures that are reported by
committees All the business of the
house is framed up in committee
Their meetings are secret and IL the
majority desires to kill bill it is sim
ply left I'm a convenient pigeon-hole u
die a natural death. And all the kings
horses cannot force a report either
favorable or unfavorable so as to give
the house n chance TO vote on il. This
method is the favorite way of killing
legislation against which even a ma
jority Of the members would not dare
to record their votes. And Uncle Joe
holds every committee in the palm OF
his hand
What will probably happen is that
the insurgents aided and abetted by
the democrats. will use every parlia-
mentary device known to legislation
to pry loose some par. of the ma
chine.
Aldrich in the senate. II
In the senate, II is a little different ,
With but ninety members, the uppv,
house proceeds on rules that allow any
to talk as long as he wants
about anything or nothing, and to Of I
fer amendments to ny,'bill that may {
be up. Senator Aldrich thinks that {
he can hold his forces in line as we'll I
ls he did when the tariff bill was up. {
The insurgents, led by Cummms and %
La Toilette say that the tariff was a I
party measure ana they point with
pride to the dents that the tariff dis y
,ussion left in the armor of the scna-