Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1910-05-27
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
A Few Pointers from the Political Storm
Center.

A Few Pointers from the Political Storm
Center.
WASHINGTON, May 20.
! Representative government almost
but not always-prevails in the Ma
tiOnal House Of Representatives.
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| Had the Cannon machine been at
work smoothly. few men would have
done the legislation instead of the en-
tire membership of the House.
Although still Objectionable, as
passed by the House, the railroad
regulation bill was discussed. amend
ed and approved. And it was all
done in the open.
The entire membership of that body
was permitted to vote on the ques-
tiOn of rejection of undesirable Sec
tions. Improvement of the bill by
amendment was also allowed.
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Immediate Statehood for Ari-
zona and New Mexico" another Re-
publican promise, lies neglected and
alone in the Senate Committee on
Territories. And Congress is about
ready to close up shop!
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The Postal Bank bill, promised in
the National Republican platform as
a substitute for the guarantee of
bank depotits, is lowering between
life and death in the House Commit
tee on Postoffices and Pos ostroads.
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During the first ten days OF May,
the government spent 81 ,619, ,O8l. 49
more than it took in. Newspapers
that have been stating the new tar
if law is success from the stand
point of producing sufficient revenue
to run the government, please copy }
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Under the regular Cannon system
OF gang-rule, the railroad bill would
have been reported from the com.
mittee under a rule prohibiting the
membership Of the House from voting
for or against amendment. Bad fea-
lures of the bill would not have been
eliminated.
The entire measure, jOkers and all,
would have been forced down the
throat of the House just as dictated
by the railroad companies and just a
submitted by Uucle Joe's" commit
tee on Interstate and Foreign Com
merce. This committee is packed
with men who have been aided in
coming to Congress by the railroads.
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The improvement of the railroad
bill in the House, through a coalition
OF the Democrats and Progressives,
is q cause for rejoicing; but it does
not mean that the people have really
wrested control of the national law.
making machinery from the tariff
trusts, Wall street and other forms
OF special privilege which dominate
the Republican party through the
control of local politics or by making
large campaign contributions.
Congressman Charles F. Barclay
OF Pennsylvania. Cannon Republi-
can. has allowed it to become known
that the state of his health will not
permit him to continue as candidate
for reelection. This is the ninth
standpatter" whose ill health, due
largely to voting for the Payne-Al-
dritch tariff revision upwards, has
necessitated withdraw from the ap-
approaching congressional elections.
Instead of saving any portion oil
the 5000, 900, 900 which Senator AL
drich asserts is being wasted by the
government annually through "ob-
solete business METHOD" the Taft
administration threatens to break all
records in the history OF the enor-
nous expenditureof of money. 1t looks
now as if the appropriations for this
session OF Congress would exceed the
appropriations of the last regular ses-
sion to the extent of about 500, ,00O,-
600. This will be billion dollar ses-
sion and then some.
The Mccall Campaign Publicity
bill has been so amended as to pro-
vide for the publication of campaign
contributions after election. instead
OF hefass and after election. Publ
city of contributions after elections
is regarded by Democrats as some
thing like locking the door OF the
stable after the horse has been stolen.
Senator Burrows of Michigan, Chair
man of the Senate Committee on
Privileges and Elections. very kindly
explained why the provision for pub
hcity Of contributions before election
had been stricken from the Nc
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