The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-05-29

publican party has been in full control of
the government since March 4, 1897, there
will be no trouble In locating where the
extravaganza belongs, say members of the
democratic national committee. Repre-
sentative Weisse of Wisconsin, has been
busy on this subject gathering data to
show that the indictment drawn by
Senator Aldrich and Representative Taw-
ney against the extravaganza OF the re-
publican party is an indictment that
must be met and answered.
Senator Aldrich,' says Representative
Weisse. charges that the executive de-
partments Of the government are car
Red on under obsolete business methods,
or without business methods at all, and
that any man who had given the subject
attention knows that at least 10 per cent
of the 81, 0O0,0O COO appropriated annu-
ally can be saved by the adoption of
business methods.
Now, what will the people say to the
charge that the administration is not
employing business methods In conduct
ing the affairs of the government? Is it
any wonder that taxes are excessive and
that the tariff was not revised down.
ward as promised by the party in power?
Then read the indictment prepared by
the appropriations committee. He says
that at no period, In time of war, have
expenditures of our national government
increased so rapidly, both In the aggre-
gate and per capita, as during the past
eight years; and If the estimates submit
ted during the last eight years had been
appropriated for the deficit, instead Of be-
ing In the neighborhood of $50, 0OO, 600,
would exceed $4,000. 900. large part
of the extravaganza is charged up to the
exercise by the federal government Of
rights and functions belonging exclusively
to the states. 1t would be interesting to
know how 1t came about that two such
eminent republican leaders happened to
furnish the democrats with such valu-
able campaign material. Can it be that
they have 1t In for the administration
for certainly 1t is the administration that
is HIT
''If the republican leaders insist that
the House met at IL O. clock in the morn
ing instead Of at noon, as prescribed by
the rules, then / am In favor of the re-
publicans being in their seats when the
House Is called to order" remarked
Representative Carlin, democrat of Vir-
ginia, the other morning. just as the
journal was being read He counted the
members present, and they totaled 23-just
174 less than quorum which the rules
require to be present to transact busi-
ness Because of the Importance of the
business before the House the Virginia
congressman suggested the absence of a
quorum and insisted on the point notwith-
standing the appeals of several members
to withdraw It, 1t took more than half
an hour before the members arrived to
make quorum SO that business could
proceed
Congress is often criticised for the
passage of some law, which at the time
seems of minor Importance" said Rep
resentative Carlin, land it is hard to
explain Just how such a bill or resolu-
ton got through without detection, but II
you think "a moment you will see that
the bill or resolution slipped through be-
cause only the members interested were
on guard. The chances were that not
more than 80 members were present. If
members gave more attention to the
proceedings of the House and insisted that
a quorum be present when important leg
islation is being considered, 1t would be
better for the country and there would
be less danger of Jokers' escaping dis
covery.''