American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1910-10-15

''oOca, pubic sentiment was
pullt up, a fundamental idea that
as last as organized wealth. in man
ulacture, in transportation, or in an,,
other line, becomes superior to the
law Of competition, that to that
extent it must place itself within the
control of legislation.
"The first great problem that the
present congress had to meet was
the tariff. The republican party be-
lieyes in the principle of protection.
AS republican, and as one inter
ested in our country's welfare
hold that that doctrine is absolute
ly sound. To enact new tariff
law, congress was convened in extra
session. Without going into details
OF this law may I say that I am one
OF those who realize that the law
falls far short of being perfect.
Tariff legislation is always diff
ficult to bring about. and with the
multiplicity Of interests to be con
sidered the problem becomes more
difficult.
The last Republican platform
pointed out that the difference be-
tween cost of production at home
and abroad, together with reason
able Profit to American industries,
is the principle which underlies the
tariff question. Measured by the
test the tariff law is not all that
should be. And more than that in
all probability no congress could be
called together that could pass
tariff aw that woa he Ire sat
isfactory to the country than the
present one, save through the as
sistancs and C. operation OF :he tar
iff commission.
The forces that opposed Presi-
dent Roosevelt in his great work,
carried their opposition to greater
lengths in the administration of
President Taft They took advan-
tage of the newness of his admin
istration. Silong men in his own
party assorted themselves against
the progressive policies that he ad
Ianced. Within his own party there
caonoad to ha tu-o aIao,aptc otr,,oul
ing for supremacy. The one labored
to commit the republican party to
g more conservative course and the
other with splendid devotion labored
to hold the party to the lines as
outlined by President Taft and by
his predecessor. In this fight the
reactionary element held the or
ganization.
"The house had been republi |
can for many congresses. For three
terms Mr. Cannon had been speaker. |
He was elected speaker again, and
with the speakership, under the
rules of many years, went the pow
In due time Speaker Cannon exer-
cised that power, and when he did |
he failed to reappoint member after
member of the house to the COM
mittees upon which they had served |
in the preceding congress. He fail
ed to apoint chairman after chair
man 10 the committee upon which /
he had served so we'll He filled
these places by naming members
Of congress who were in sympathy
with his political ideas, and the men
bers removed were appointed upon
the committees of less responsibility.
Can you find an excuse for such con
duct? Can you Justify il? During
the six years that l was in congress
this had not been done and prob
ably in all our parliamentary his
tory exercises of discretionary power
was never so abused.
I'm view Of this and in view of
the fact that l an in sympathy
with the policies that We have adj
eccated as republican, for admins
trasion after administration, looking
especially to the solving of this inn
por.ant question that have dis
c.ssed tonight, am opposed 70 the
longer continuance OF Mr. Cannon
as speaker If elected TO congress
/ shall use my influence and my vor
for The election Of some other re-
publican in sympathy with the prin-
ciples of the parry as We have un-
dersicod those policies during the
administration Of Roosevelt and
Taft
More than that, from the unrea-
sonable course that was followed III
the naming Of committees. l believe
this power should be taken from the
spesker absolutely and should be re-
served to the house or lodged with
some committee appointed by the
o halinva thar a member OF