The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1910-04-30
Little Progress Has Been Made
with Any Measure But
Budget Bills.
ATTITUDE OF THE DEMOCRATS
They Probably viii Support Legisla-
tIon Sanctioned by the PeopIe-Re-
pubIicans Suspicious Because
Opponents Urge Nomination
of Roosevelt.

| Washington.-If congress wishes tt
go before the country with a RECORD
OF full accomplishment for the ses
sion 1t will be necessary for it to de
a good deal of work within the mex
six or eight weeks. The house and
senate have been in session since the
first Monday in December and IL the
appropriation bills be eliminated, the
number of measures which are well
forward on the road to passage are
comparatively few.
1t has been shown by the history OF
nearly all congresses that when the
senators and the representatives
make up their minds to 60 to work,
and do 1t. they manage to get through
with a good deal of legislation In
short order. The postal savings bank
bill has passed the senate. but the
house has not yet given 1t considera-
ton except In committee. The inter-
state commerce bill was introduced
into the senate and into the house at
virtually the same moment. and the
two bills were identical. The house
has made many changes in the meas
urue. The senate also has made
changes. but they are not in many
respects like those which were made
in the house.
No Conservation Bills Passed.
No conservation measures have vet
passed congress. President Taft has
been urging that at least two compre-
hensive bills shall be passed to save
the country's natural resources. Near
ly every day President Taft i'm
presses upon members of congress
who call on him personally the neces-
sity for legislation along conservation
lines. and it is apparent that he hopes
his desires will be needed. It will
take some time, however, to pass the
conservation bill. for 1t appears that
there Is to be considerable debate
upon them before they can be enact
ed into law.
NO one yet knows definitely what
fate awaits the administrations de-
sires with reference to what is called
anti-injunction legislation. Statehood
and Alaska matters are still in abey.
ance. and while to a considerable ex-
tent all these matters have been fully
considered in committee and to some
sytent considered in debate. there is
40 telling just how long it will take
either to pass them or to deny them
passage.
1t is getting late in the season and !
great many Of the members of con-
sress, both Democrats and Republi- !
,ans, are anxious to get back into
heir districts to fix up their fences |
or the coming congressional cam
>aign. OF course It will be to the
advantage Of the Republicans if they
ian go before the country and say,
AS party we have passed much of
he progressive legislation which the
sanctioned and which the
PRESIDENT asked for"
Attitude Of Democrats.
It can be said without any partisan
pirit at all that 1t seems likely the
Democrats will be willing to aid the
republicans in the passage of some
Il the legislation now before con.
'ress. although the Democrats may
'ffer amendments to some of the
'ending bills.
It is apparent from what the Demo
rats say that they realize the coun-
ry has demanded some of the legisla-
ion which the president has asked
ongress to pass. The Democrats
ontend. however. that the Republi-
ans will not put it through in the
orm that the people wish. and there
ore the minority party will 20 on
ecord as In favor of amending the
resent bills to some marked degree.
he Democrats. however. apparently
o not care to go before the country
a the light Of having blocked such of
be Republican legislation as appar-
ntly has been sanctioned by the
ountry. So 1t is that the members
both parties may get together and
ut through considerable legislation
etween now and the date of adjourn
lent, and it is evident that it must
e put through quickly or that con-
ress will be obliged to sit until
swelters in its usual sum-
Ter heat.
Roosevelt Still Silent.
1t seems to be certain that the
lence of Theodore Roosevelt is
ot to be broken until he reaches
lis country. and the fact that
lie colonel seems to prefer to keep
is own counsel is affecting Repub-
cans and Democrats in Washington
different ways. The Democrats see
1t strong possibility that the for
er president eventually may make
p his mind that at the call of the ;
,untry" he will feel it imperative to
lswer here" in the yesr 1912.
The so-called regular Republicans in |
'ngress still pin their faith to the J [
'lief that when Mr.. Roosevelt finally {