The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1910-05-21
MUCH CENSURE FOR
CHAIRMAN PAYNE
Chairman of Ways And Means Com
mittee Refused to Allow Con-
sideration Of Bill.

Washington, May PA sensation
was sprung Unexpectedly in the house
late yesterday by Representative But
Ter Ames, a republican from Massa-
chusetts, when he obtained the floor
for FIVE minutes and proceeded to read
series of letters which had passed
between himself and Representative
Serene e. Payne of New York, chair
man Of the ways and means committee
and republican floor leader, in which
he scored Mr.. Payne in strong lang
uage.
The letters concerned resolution
introduced in the house March 13 by
Mr.. Ames, which set forth that nego-
tiations should be opened with Canada
with view to establishing closer COM
mercial relations with that country.
Mr.. Ames' resolution was referred to
the ways and means committee and
the author charged that Mr. Payne
refused to allow the committee to con-
slider 1t, although he (Ames) present
ed a petition favoring 1t, signed by
n republican members and also urg-
ing the adoption of the resolution.
"On three separate days, approach
ed your august person and asked YER
bally and politely for hearing by
your committee on my resolution"
said Mr. Ames in one letter.
ITO my first request, you arrogant
lly insisted that as far as you could
find out, no one wanted the resolu-
tion and 1t was not good political
sense. Believing that your lack Of
courtesy wac inexeusable and that
lyou were unable to understand or ap-
preciate that many republican MEM
bers Of house not only wanted reso-
luton passed, but who, not yet having
lost all touch with 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 petition which
/ l enclosed"
Continuing, the letter said the petit
ton was signed by seyenty-seven re-
publican members, but Mr.. Payne had
given 1t no consideration. It was re-
counted that its author had seen 4
letter dictated in his presence by
President Taft and addressed to Mr..
Payne favoring the resolution. It re-
cited that Mr.. Ames had twice spoken
to Mr.. Payne about the presidents
letter and that Mr Payne told him
that his fPayne's) relations were
such with the president that when he
wrote you such letter he did not
want the resolution"
Mr. Payne replied saying the fact
that "seventy-seven men have signed
your petition does not change the sit
uation in regard to your resolution"
After expressing surprise that the
petition Of seventy-seven republican
members should be disregarded Mr..
Ames' letter continued:
eYour whole attitude has so lacked
in common courtesy and a proper
sense Of proportion that feel forced
to make this written protest. Your
letter. if freely translated, should be
interpreted to read The desires of
many republican members and the pub
lie be damned
1T is just such hide-bound intoler-
ance Of the desires and rights Of 9TH
ers that is forcing me most to advo-
cate, against their better Judgment.
committee of COMMITTEES in the house
in order to purge itself of such in
dividual misrule and abuse Of power
It is just such domination and disre-
gard of the public desire that is fos-
tering the government 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.
Payne said he had informed Mr.. Ames
he believed the president should take
up the Canadian negotiations, and aft
er that il would be time for congress
to act. Continuing, be said:
! Now, I stated that to the gentle
man. not with my hat in my hand but
as politely and suaveIy as could state
lit. did not exhibit any contempt Of
the gentleman who, understand, is to
be the next senator from Massachu-
lsetts if he gets votes enough. l did
not do anything of that kind, but
treated him politely