The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-05-21
REAL SENSATION
SPRUNG BY AMES
He Makes Public Letters Written
to Republican Floor
Leader.
HIS LANGUAGE scoRcHING
Tells PAYNE His Methods Are
Driving House to Purge
Itself.

Washington, D. c., May 2o.-A SEN
sation was sprung unexpectedly in the
House late to-day by Representative
Butler Ames, a Republican member
from Massachusetts,. when he obtained
the floor to read a series of letters
which had passed between himself and
Representative Serene Payne, of New
York. chairman of the Ways and
Means Committee. and Republican floor
leader. in which he scored Mr.. Payne
in strong language.
The letters concerned a resolution
introduced In the House March 81 by
Mr., Ames. which set forth that nego-
tiations should be opened with Canada
With view to establishing closer CONF
mercial relations with that country.
Mr.. Amess resolution was referred to
the Ways and Means Committee, and
the author charged that Mr.. Payne re-
fused to allow the committee to con-
slider it. although he (Ames) presented
a petition favoring it, signed by sew
enty-seven Republican members, and
also caused President Taft to write
letter to Mr.. Payne urging the adop-
tion of the resolution.
In his letters Mr.. Ames informed Mr..
Payne that the latter's whole attitude
in the matter had lacked in common
courtesy and proper sense of propor-
ton"
Vigorous Attack.
The second letter of Mr.. Amcs. dated
May 16. was vigorous attack upon
Mr.. Payne's methods. In it Mr.. .Ames
said:
ION three separate days / ap-
preached your august person and
asked verbally and politely for hear
ing by your committee on my resolu-
ton. To my first request You AFRO
santly insisted that 'as far as you
could find out no one wanted the res
olution, and it was not good political
sense Believing that your lack OF
courtesy was inexcusable. and that you
were unable to understand or appre-
ciate that many Republican members
OF the House not only wanted the res
olution passed. but who, not yet haV-
ing lost all touch will, the present de-
sires of the party and the country
generally, did believe the resolution TO
he good political sense, I went to the
unusual labor of circulating a petition
which inclosed,'
Continuing the letter SAYS that tho
petition was signed by sevcnty-seVen
Republican members, but Mr., PAYNE
had given it no considerations. IL re-
counted that its author had seen let
ter dictated In his presence by Presi-
dent Taft and addressed TO Mr.. PAYNE
faVorinC the resolution.
III rcclted that Mr.. Ames had twice
spoken to Mr.. Payne about tho Prost-
dents letter, and that Mr.. Payne told
him "his (Payne'sl relations were 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 disregarded. Mr..
Ames's letter continued in part;
Your statement that Your conver-
sation with some OF the signers of my
petition does not strensthen my posi-
ton is at once ungentlemanly and
insulting.
Lacks In Courtesy.
Your whole attitude has so lacked
in common courtesy and a proper, sense
OF proportion that / feel forced to
ter, Ii freely translated. should be In
terpreted to read, The desires Of many
Republican members and the public be
damned
5"It Is just such hidebound intoler-
ance of the desires and rights of oth-
iers that is forcing members to ad-
vocate. against their better Judgment,
In order to purge itself of such indi7,
Nldnal mtsrule and abuse of power.
6 Itsis lust such domination and dis
regard OF the public desire that is fosT
stering the movement of insurgency
not only In the House, but also the
widespread insurgency with which
we are now face to face"
When Mr. Ames had concluded Mr.,
Continued on Second Pags)