New-York tribune., 1910-01-14

lFrom The Tribune Bureau.l
washington, Jan. 13.-President TAFT is
talking earnestly and frankly to members
OF Congress. both regulars and insurgents,
pointing out TO them the folly OF their
course In permitting controversies in which
there is an inordinately large element or
personal spleen to retard legislation, thus
creating the impression In the public mind
that the national legislature is devoting the
major portion of its time to quarreling
rather than to legislating. and menacing
Republican success next November and two
years later. The President takes the ground
that a large part OF the existing strife is
puerfle. and that victories sought and at
tanned solely for the purpose of humiliating
opponents are not only worse than futile.
but wholly unworthy the attention of men
who have been elected to the national legis-
nature TO those who have insisted on the
Importance of eliminating "Canncnism" Mr..
Tart has pointed out that their aim can best
be achieved by sincere and earnest cam
palgn and can in nowise be promoted by
petty guerilla warfare. A victory over Mr..
Cannon when there is something really i'm
portant at stake-aS. for instance legisla-
ton advocated by the admiuistratIon-he
has pointed out would mean something
and would go much further toward accom-
plishing desired changes in the rules and
the defeat of the present Speaker than a.
dozen petty victories, the fruits of each of
wflich are hardly visible to the naked eye.
hr. Iaft has also admonished the regular
Republicans not to so about with chips on
thelr shoulders. seeking occasion ito slap
the insurgents on the wrist He has not
nesitated TO express in unmistakable terms
MS contempt for some of the methods adopt
ed and he is disposed to believe that as
the work Of the session advances and men,
oers have really important affairs to oc-
cupy their time and attention thev will
abandon their factionaI pickering and de-
vote themselves earnestly to the serious
work they should perform
A mistaken impression seems TO prevail
In many quarters regarding the recent or
DER or the Republican whip, Mr. Dwight,
OF New YORK, that only actual pairs shall
De recorded as such. This has been de-
scrloed as an anti-insurgent movement 1t
Is nothlng OF the kind; it is merely a proper
enforcement of the rule to prevent absent
members from deceiving their constituents
into the belief that they were present. but
paired. The custom which has obtained. in
violation of the rule. has been after vote
site the names of absent Republicans those
OF absent Democrats, in so far as this was
practicable, and then to record all absen-
tees who could be so matched as 'paired
and not voting" thus obviously defeating
the accuracy of the record. Under the new
order members must first obtain consent
10 De absent. then arrange a pair and file
notice or It's existence in writing with the
pair clerk. As will be seen, the practice
now abandoned did not change the vote in
any way, and that the enforcement of the
rule has nothing to do with factional strife
is demonstrated bv the fact that similar
orders have also been issued by the Demo-
cratic whip. Mr.. Garner. of Texas
The expectation entertained to some ex-
tent In diplomatic circles that the Cook
incident would TO some extent impair the
cordial relations existing between this
country and Denmark has proved wholly
Unwarranted. The Danes, as is shown by
the press of their country, have taken
generous, and even magnaninous, view OF
the entire affair, and in scientific circles
here the most cordial tribute IS paid to
the manly and courageous course Of the
Danish Geographical Society in it's find
lnss on the evidence Of DIR. Cook-findings
obviously In no way affected by the fact
that they involved a confession that high
Danish authorities; had been misled by
the specfous claims Of the explorer.
Speakiss- OF -tse-~o4etione peIween Dem
mark and the United States 1t is also of
interest and source Of qualification to