The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1911-01-06

hughes, though admittedly talking it
IN Whispers, for the seeming politica.
wisdom OF putting him into the field.
ne Republicans have sharp knowl
edge OF the fractional differences which
exist in their party and they think
mat New York's former governor
would command all the votes of Pro-
gresslve and insurgent Republicans
and the votes of many of the conserva-
tlves. Moreover, they hold that he
would receive the support of thou
sands OF voters who admire him and
VINO pay little attention to party ties.
Democrats Are Not Perturbed.
Inc Democrats have received init.
nation that it is possible that the
associate justice will be urged to run
for the presidency, but they show no
sign Of perturbation over the an
nouncement for they seem to have an
abiding faith in the ability of their
party to carry the next election as
easily as they carried the last. The
Democrats, however, seem to be con-
WINGED that President Taft will be
the next nominee of the opposing
party. They base their judgment in
the matter on the feeling that Justice
Hughes cannot be tempted from the
bench, and that no Progressive Re-
publican leader of presidential size
will care to enter the field in 1912
because of sheer fear of defeat.
When the legislative, executive and
judicial appropriation bill was report
ed from the committee to the house of
representatives it was found that
nearly 800 positions in the service OF
the departments have been abolished.
There was a Wiping from the lists OF
a good many positions and with the
positions will go the holders, unless
the senate intervenes to save them.
Pension Agencies in Peril Again.
The house every year for many
years has attempted to save money
sion agencies, eighteen of which are
located in different states of the coun-
try. A large sum of money could be
saved, it Is said, by disseminating
these Offices, and the only change that
would be made in the procedure neces-
sary to secure pension payments
ho
municate direct with Washington in
stead of with the nearest peSsion
agency as is the case at present.
The senate always has prevented
the abolition of the subordinate pen
sion offices. Of course the house mem
bers claim that the senators want
these offices maintained because of
the patronage that they afford. Some
of the senators in retaliation say that
the house having tie first chance at
the appropriation bills uses its power
to abolish Offices with the firm con-
viction that the senate's vote will re-
tain them. 1t is the idea of the SEN
ators that the house members want
patronage retained just as much as
they do, but cannily they throw the
burden on the upper house.
Clark Watches Tariff Scheme.
Champ Clark, Democratic leader
of the house Of representatives
and who almost unquestionably is
to be the next speaker, is watch.
ing hawk-eyed the attempts OF
the Republicans to get together on
tariff commission legislation. Through
his political and personal friend, Rev
resentative Underwood of Birming-
ham, Ala, who is member OF the
ways and means committee, Mr.. Clark
has followed closely the deliberations
of the Republicans on that commit
tee during the last few days.
The Democratic leader, his friends
say, is alive to the seeming political
advantage which the Republicans will
gain If they succeed il enacting tarin
commission legislation which will suit
the people and let them feel definitely
that the Ultimate desire is to make
the tariff a business proposition.
Democratic Scaling Plan.
The Democrats shortly will hold q
conference and when they get to-
gether It is believed that they will
formulate plan to scale most of the
duties downward at a 10 per cent
rate. thus reaching by 10 per cent
stages schedule of duties which
they think will put the customs upon
basis of tariff for revenue only. In
! other words, 1t is believed to be the
Democratic plan to lower the tariff
gradually in order that business may
adjust itself more readily to the
changed conditions.
The Republicans say that the Dem.
ocrats will have trouble in their 10
per cent reduction plan because, as
the former put it, the Democratic
party harbors within its ranks good
many protectionists VIII. will attempt
to save local industries from the &C.
ton of the 10 per cent plan. Demo.
cratic leaders declare that before any.
thing is attempted there will be unani'
nifty in the ranks and that the Re.
publican prophets will find themselves
without hon r. The Republicans re-
tort that time will show and that 1t is
! not seasonable to pass on the merits
Of the prophecy until the time comes
for its fulflllment or its failure.
Detecting Flattery.
You may have noticed it is much
easier to detect fattery directed a,
others than when 1t Is coming your
way.-Atchison Globe.