Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-05-21
SAYS HE PREVENTED
VOTE On RESOLUTION
Representative Ames Reads Letters
on Floor Of Lower Branch in Which
He Urged Steps for Closer Com
mereiai Relations With Canada and
New York Member Put Stop to II.
CBy Associated Prssn)

(By Associated Prssn.)
WASHINGTON. ID. c., May ga
sensation was sprung late today IN
the house by Representative Butler
Ames, Republican member from MAS
sachusstts. when he obtainetthe hoor
To read a series of letters which had
passed between himself and Repre-
sentative Serene Payne, of New YORK,
chairman of the ways and means COM
mIttee and Republican floor leader, IN
which he scored MIR. Payne In strong
language.
The letters concerned n resolution
introduced In the house In March by
Representative Amcs, in which he
sets forth that negotiations should be
opened with Canada with a view TO
establish closer commercial relations
with that country. Mr. Ames' reso-
luton was referred to the ways ana
means committee and the author
charged that Mr.. Payne refused 10
allow the committee TO consider II,
although he fAmesl presented a
petition favoring il. signed by sew
enty-seyen Republican members ana
also caused President Taft to write
letter TO Mr. Payne urging the edop-
ton of the resolution. In his letter,
Mr.. Ames informed MIR. Payne that
the latter's whole attitude In the mat.
| ter had lacked in common courtesy
and proper sense of proportion"
The second letter of Mr.. Amea.
dated May 16. was vigorous attack
upon Mr.. Payne's methods In II MI.
Ames said:
His Attack On Fayne.
ION three separate days l APP
preached your august person and
asked verbally and politely for
hearing by your committee. At first
you arrogantiy insisted that as far as
you could find out. no one wanted
the resolution and il was not good
politics. Relieving that your lack OF
courtesy was inexcusable. and that
you were unable to understand or APP
| preciate that many Republican men,
| bers of the house. not only wanted the
resolution passed, but who not yet
having lost all touch win the present
desires of the party and the country
generally. did believe the resolution
TO be good political sense, ] went TO
! the unusual labor of circulating a
petition which ! enclosed
Continuing, the letter satd that the
petition was signed by seventy seven
Republican members, but Mr.. Payne
had given il no consideration II re-
! counted that its author had seen a
letter dictated in his presence by
| President Taft and addressed 20 Mr..
Payne favcring the resolution. II re-
cited that Mr.. Ames had twice spoken
| TO MIR. Payne about the Presidents
letter and that Mr.. Payne told him
his (Payne's) relations we're such
with the President that when he
wrote you such a letter he did not
want the resolution"
After expressing surprise that the
Petition of seventy-seven Republican
members should be jisregarded, Mr.
Ames' letter continued:
your statement that your CONVEX
sation with some Of the signers OF
my petition does not strengthen my
position is at once ungentlemeniy
and insulting.
Your whole attention has SO lack
ed in common courtesy and proper
sene Of proportion that feel forced
TO make this written protest Your
letter. IL freely translated, should be
interpreted to read: The desires OF
many Republican members and the
public be damned
1t Is just such hideOound lntoier
ance of the desires and rights o.
others that in forcing members 10 sd-
vocate. against their better judgment
committee of committees in the
house In order 10 purge Itself Of such
/, individual misrgle and abuse Of power
II IS Jus; such domination and aszre-
gard Of The pubic desire that Is foster
Ing the movement OF Insurgency not
only In the house. but also the wide
spread Insurgency with which We are
row face 70 face
When Mr.. Ames had concluded Mr.
Payne said he had Informed Mr.. Ames
that he believed the President should
take up the Canadian negotiations and
after that u would be time Tor con
grcss 10 act
Mr. Payne said that he bad con
fcrycd with members 81 the house
sho had signed Mr.. kmcs' petitiof
and some Of them said they Oh net
know what they signed. While others
said they did not care anything about
n. one way or the other.
so Ear a. 7 Wa concerned ny
scif.~ couciuted Mr.. Payne, 7 Oh not
propose. b ny vote IN the commhfce
% briur up TIE question - fbe fsri1
in any way during thu session q