The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1911-04-06
GOSSIP OF THE
EXTRA SESSION
(From F. J. DYER.)
Especial to the Silver State)

approval OF cOnRresS HOW JndH tnerc
was at the last session. The situa
ton is not much different. In the
house it will probably be approved
with rush. In the senate it will meet
with determined opposition, although
to be sure there is not such big ma
jority to overcome as there was in the
last congress- To offset that in
measure, the opponents to reciprocity
are lined up more strongly, and the
various organizations throughout the
country which are interested in keep
ing up the tariff are hard at work here
in Washington and prepared to keep
the fight up until all hope is over.
One would be bold to predict, how
ever, that reciprocity will not win in
the end. The whole weight of the ad
ministration influence is being
thrown for it, and what that means
only those who have been in the path
of the steam roller can realize. The
opposition to it is scarcely more than
sporadic, at best, and while the bulk
of the voting population is Indifferent,
there is somewhat vague feeling
very generally held that reciprocity
is principle deserving of approval.
1t all rests with the senate, and the
changes in that body are favorable to
freer trade relations with Canada.
Protection in the South.
Unquestionably, one of the most
serious situations the Democrats have
to face is the desire of southern
Democrats to secure protection for
their own products. The extent to
which the protection idea had gained
possession of the south was strikingly
exemplfed during the debates on the
Payne- Aldrich bill. 1t was a huge
Jest, at first. with the paragraphers
and cartoonists. but without that sup
port the northern protectionists would
have Jared badly. Senator Simmons,
of North Carolina was one of the most
earnest advocates of duty on lum-
ber. He is native of his state,
bred int the bone Democrat, an Office
holder under Cleveland, and chairman
of the Democratic state central com
mittee during half a dozen campaigns.
1t must be supposed therefore, that he
knew what the Democrats of North
Corolina wanted. Representative
Frank Clark. of Florida, was another
Democrat who favored protective du
ties. In the house he delivered radical
and forensic speeches advocating a
duty on citrus fruits and even demand
ed duty on cotton He has not chang
ed his mind on these questions, either.
In fact. Mr.. Clark said recently that
he was opposed to any changes in the
schedule, and if the Democratic eau
Gus had different idea, he would not
stand by the caucus decision While
his state is not so heavy a producer of
cotton as others, he believes that there
should be a duty on cotton, both to
L.. a \.
duction of the finer grades. Agricul-
ture is looking up wonderfully in
Florida of late, and Mr.. Clark is alive
to the benefits aceruing from it. OF
course the citrus industry is immense.
Most of the grape fruit on the break
fast tables of the nation comes from
Florida, although Cuba is knocking at
the door with rapidly increasing sup
ply The oranges of Florida are just
" famous, and the possibilities Of
lemon growing are not to be overlook
cd. Mr.. Clark points to the fact that
last year, with an increased duty on
lemons, the duty collected increased
20 $2.2a3. 3.527.s7 The year before it
was 81, ,35l 1883. A pretty good tar
iT for revenue thinks Mr.. Clark. AT
he same time the quantity of lemons
Imported increased 24,000,000 pounds.
IS to price, it decreased about 10
per cent in the declared valuations so
I G consumer should have benefited
along with the national treasury.
Legislative Program.
Naturally any program for legisla-
ton is subject, like prices current, to
"change without notice. The Dem
ocratic caucus has mapped out a Ger
tain program, but it can only be call
ed tentative. at best.
In the opinion of many Republicans
as well as Democrats, Senator New
lands plan. as set forth in his letter
to Champ Clark, for legislation at the
extra session is as good as any; but
with the session yet young no one
cNr say what will he done. There are
those who still believe it will be a
short session Perhaps it will, but the
chances are all the other way.
The president adhered to his delib-
crate policy and waited until almost
the last minute before framing his
message. BY doing this he had the ad-
vantage of the counsel and advice of
the Republican leaders, who did not
come to Washington in the majority of
eases until day or two before the
session opened Until President Taft 3
term, it was customary for the presi-
dent to write his message long
enough in advance of thedate of its
receipt by congress to permit of its be
ing transmitted to the newspapers by
mail under seal of secrecy, and this
saved the papers a good deal in the
way of telegraph tolls. Such course
probably had its advantages from the
presidents point of view.
The reading of the message was
awaited with interest but it had been
pretty well discounted in advance, and
the White house had given out practi
cally the essence of it. Congress will
60 ahead and do about as it pleases
just as If the message had not beer
written.
Blow to Progressives.
1t does not look much like peace be
tween the progressive and regular
wings of the Republican party. Will
In -.