The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1910-09-09

measure, ana VOtng Will TIC uCliO
Gratis. He said: THE postal savings
bank bill, the administration conserva-
ton measure, the tariff commission,
the appropriation asked by the presi-
dent under the maximum and mini
mum provisions of the tariff law, were
all republican and administration meas
ures. voted for and worked for all
of them, as did all progressive republi-
cans in congress. Many of the pro-
visions were bitterly opposed by the
reactionists, who are claiming credit
for their passage. There are Con-
gressional Records in the city, and
their perusal must satisfy all who read
that I supported the administration in
the passage of the so-called administra-
tion bills
AS to the charge of heresy in voting
with the democrats, he wished it plain
ly understood that hereafter and at all
times any democratic measure for the
public veal would receive his unquali-
fed support. Also, in the future as in
the past, all republican measures bear
ing the ear marks of graft and having
for their object the donation of public
utilities to private corporations ne
would strenuously oppose.
The power and prestige maintained
by Senator Aldrich and Speaker Can
non thru appointments on committees
carrying emoluments and special hon
or has resulted in sad condition of
affairs. Under the old personal rec
ognition'' rule in the house, it was i'm
possible for a member to be heard
on any measure except it pleased the
speaker to grant the privilege. But
when the speakers party lash cracked
there was hasty numbering of patri-
clan probicides and safe and sure
majority for any sort of measure was al
ways rounded up in time to vote. This
condition in the congress of free Amer
lea was so repugnant to those who loved
liberty more than they cared for lucre
that an insurrection developed and
finally formed combination with the
democrats; and in an unguarded mo-
ment the old standpat majority was
overthrown, the speaker was deposed
from the rules committee, the commit
tee enlarged and selected from the
house, and some parliamentary freedom
gained. The excitement and interest
during this trying time was intense.
Many spectators in the galleries kept
their seats from early afternoon until
after breakfast next morning, when the
vote was taken.
Then the railroad bill came up for
consideration. 1t had been framed by
corporation attorney upon consulta-
ton with railroad presidents, and in its
original form was bold reactionary
measure in the interest of the railroad.
It repealed the Sherman antitrust law
as to railroads, allowed mergers and
traffic agreements, prohibited shippers
and interstate commerce commissions
from appearing in the commerce court.
Under the change in the rules this bill
was discussed under the fve-minute
rule. Congress thus had the opportu-
nifty to offer amendments compelling
reform. The reactionary measures re-
ferred to were stricken out, and ship
pers in the commerce commission were
given the right to appear in court.
Physical valuation of railroads was
provided for, tho this provision was
killed in the senate. Telegraph and
telephone companies were subjected to
the control of the interstate commerce
commission. The power of that COM
mission regulating rates and classifica-
tions of rates were enlarged and it was
made into a progressive measure in the
interests of the people, and our reac-
tionary friends are now boasting over
it as one of the great achievements of
the party, tho they bitterly oppose all
of the progressive features of it referred
to.
1t is asserted that the progressive
program would destroy prosperity. If
this be true there must be something
wrong that needs attention. 1t should
be absurd to say that free people can
not make their own laws without inter-
fering with prosperity.
The national convention declared in
favor of tariff equal in difference to
the COST OF production at home and
abroad. An effort was made by the
progressives in congress to secure the
fulfllment of this pledge, but the Al
drich-Cannon combination repudiated
it and enacted the law which increased
the tariff upon many staples-a viola
ton of the party pledge. The sugar,
steel, wool and cotton interests die
tated the tariff upon these articles.
The president and the insurgents favor
the appointment of tariff commission,
but the Aldrich-Cannon combination
will not surrender the profits enjoyed
by the special interests system of bar
ter and trade in enacting tariff laws.
II was evident from the close atten-