Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-06-07
Difficulties Surrounding Wise Lesis'a'

measure:
| Il would like very much To vote for
this amendment. for | confess that L
always feel a high degree of satisfac-
ton in voting against majority OF the
Republican party"
Senator Bailey evidently is not alone
in that feeling. nor would it be fair to
assume that all Republicans are above
| feelings of partisan resentment. rms
! is mentioned as an illustration Of the
difficulties surrounding legislation on
the eve of d political campaign. But
the people demand results and then Of
ten proceed to criticise those results as
not being perfect, whereas in justice
| they should consider: Is the result the
best at that time obta Unable and better
| all? In such spirit of dispassionate
| inquiry should be judged the tariff law,
and likewise the railroad bill as it
passed the Senate June third. 50
amended as to receive the support of
the insurgents and six of the Demo-
Gratis. The effect of al these amend
ments. if finally embodied in law. is
predetermined but one fact stands out
clearly: the country needs railroad
law and failure t" pass one. unless it
shall appear that it will prove mis-
chieveouS. would be a conspicuous
holding the hands of the administra-
ton III its wise and patriotic efforts to
secure progressive legislation.
Those who have been CriticiSing the
administration and the Republican
majority. declaring them intolerant.
reactionary. not to mention other
criticisms. may be somewhat surprised
to read what Senator Dollver. i'm
placable insursent that he is. had to
say respecting the railroad bill as it
passed the Senate. For the benefit of
such the following taken from his re-
'ht'' NO ''''iH ~ Pli'Bi ii'N III tIiiS ''il-
nection:
Il believe every day since this
bill was introduced has seen some
tangible Improvement in the
measure. Originally | do not
think | could have brought myself
even upon motives of party regu-
Iarlty and an anxiety to secure
the harmony and unity of the
party with which | am affiliated
to have voted for it, But the
Senate Of the United States and
the House of Representatives have
both taken up this measure in a
broad and generous spirit and have
dealt with it as Legislative pro-
poSals ought to be dealt with in
these two great popular assem-
blieS
Il regard the session of Con-
Sress which for three months or
more has given an uninterrupted
attention to these questions as one
of the most remarka BILE and mos,
instructive in the whole history of
our government. The Bin first
came here under adverse circum-
stances. | desire to utter no word
OF criticism directed in any quar-
ter. but sincerely hope that the
ldst Experiment has been tried of
preparing in advance bills for the
consideration of the Senate and
: the House of Representatives.
! The Constitution OF the United
States contides that duty to the
| two Houses OF Congress. and,
subject to the recommendations of
the executive department. hold it
to be the duty and the privilege
of these two great assemblies to
| shape and frame and prepare and
| perfect measures of legislation.
| The chairman of the Committee
on Interstate Commerce has had
the hardest task that has been
| presented to Il member of the Sen
ate within my service here, and |
| think you will agree with me the
hardest task that has been upon
any mans shoulders in the last
thirty years in the legislative
history of the United States.
| believe | express tn" common
Judgment of all parties and of all
| factions. if there be factions
among us. in saying that the
Senator from West Virginia.
the chairman of the committee.
has won golden opinions in all
| quarters of the Senate in the
| management of this measure.
His kindness, his forohearanco,
| his patience. his good will toward
| all, his Willingness that every
| proposition should be submitted to
vote of the Senate. have given
! great satisfaction to those of us
who have been trying. amid good
| many diSCouragcmentS and diff
Culties. to perfect this measure
| He has the thanks. | think. OF the
| whole Senate in the discharge of
| the most difficult business that has
| fallen upon one mans shoulders
| in the recent history of the Con
! grcSs of the United States.
| Il do not know whether the bill
when il goes upon the statute
books will fill the popular eXpecta-
ton or not The history of these
| acts of legislation is often very
disappointing. But | venture to
| express the hope, at least. that
| when this law is placed upon the
statute books its effective en-
| forcement and the exercise of the