The Twin Falls times. [volume] (Twin Falls, Idaho) 1905-1916, 1910-08-25
Cong. Hamer on His Record.
Continued From Page ID

The two distinguished Idaho citi-
zens who are contending with me for
the congressional nomination in the
Republican primaries to be held on
the 30th day of August in their inn
patience for political preferment in
face of a well-defined custom to re-
nominate for at least a second term a
congressman whose record is reason
ably acceptable, are also inclined to
be critical along the same lines; but
it strikes me that, If after devoting
practically two years to. a careful sur
yey of the political field, they are UNI
able to find anything more serious in
my official record than that / acted
with the Republican party--the party
which elected me to my present posi-
ton and whose suffrage both are now
seeking--ne serious results are likely
to follow.
Tariff Paramount Issue.
"You will no doubt recall that my
first service to congress was at the
special session called by President
Taft for the sole and only purpose of
revising the tariff Now, Idaho hap
pens to be deeply and vitality inter-
ested in the tariff The source and
foundation of her material prosperity
depends upon sufficient protection for
her raw materials, which are lead,
lumber, sugar and wool. For the time
being the tariff schedules affecting
these great industries were of more
Importance to her people than Can
nonism so-called, or any other issue.
| took the position then, and | unhesi-
tatingly maintain it now, that Speak
er Cannon nor any other man, nor any
other mans ambition, is orswas of as
much Importance to me as the inter-
ests of my state.
"The commission held as congress-
man admonished me to look out for
| the welfare of Idaho. There were
| several candidates for speaker, hold
| ing in some cases widely divergent
| tariff views. Joseph G. Cannon was
the only one among them who could or
would give me assurance that Idaho's
| interests would be sufficiently safe
| guarded in the enactment of tariff
bill I, therefore, voted for him, and
| submit that careful reading of the
wool, lead lumber and sugar sche-
dulles of the law then and there enact
ed fully justify my action.
Comparatively UndeyelOped.
"If such states as Idaho do not need
tariff protection, public buildings and
a piece of the pie that is being hand
1 ed out for reclamation and other great
projects, then the functions of con-
gress might just as we'll be suspended
/ so far as the great young west is con-
cerned.
Idaho, as a comparatively undevel-
/ oped state, has much to ask for in the
way of national legislation, and with
| one lone member in the lower house,
has mighty little to give the majority,
/ from which she demands Legislative
/ favors in return, and when favors are
granted under these circumstances it
is quite likely to call forth that char
! acteristic known as gratitude. If any
! such exists, and praise God from
whom all blessings flow good old
fashioned neighborly gratitude for
help in time of need always has been
is now, and hope ever will be inher-
ent in the Idaho breast.
81 claim to be progressive, and am
! free to confess that / do not always
agree with my colleagues in congress
Some of them, yes, many of them, are
very reluctant to permit legislation
necessary and beneficiaf to the west
In assuming this attitude they are not
always wholly to blame, for in most
If not all, cases they are, in so doing
but reflecting the sentiments of their
own constituents. / do not claim to
have a corner on all the Legislative
wisdom in congress, and am therefore
willing to concede that my demands
may sometimes be little eXorbitant
when measured in the other fellows
/ basket Therefore, when unable tC
get everything | want for my own peo-
pie, sometimes deem it advisable tc
accept compromise, providing the
! same is honorable. for after all is said
and done, legislation under our form,
| cf Government always hae hoar ard