The weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Craig County, Okla.) 1905-1913, 1911-06-16

flying to the democrats of the country
and at the same time so disappointing
to the republicans, as the splendid
harmony and mastery efficiency ex-
hibited by the democratic members of
the house of representatives upon as
suming control of the lower house,
April 4, 1911.
All predictions of discord and dis
sension, have proved unfounded and
premature.
Prior to the Baltimore banquet of
January IL, 1911, the newspapers were
full of dire forebodings of the awful
mix-up and clash that was sure to
result from the notable gathering. Col
umns were written by ambitious cores
pondents, telling how it was being
framed up for this or the other presi-
Dental candidate, and how the friends
of the other candidates were bitterly
resenting it, etc.
The banquet night arrived, and
eleven hundred loyal and enthusiastic
democrats from all over the country
gathered in the great hall. Speeches
were made and the enthusiasm ran
high. Not a word of discord arose.
Again, when the caucus of the dem
ocratic members-elect of the sixty
second congress were called for on
January 10Th, it was freely predicted
that split in the party could not
pc pcssibly be avoided.
But upon the contrary when the roll
was called upon that memorable oc-
casion, two hundred and twenty mem
Ibers, out of total of two hundred and
twenty-seven responded, and the de-
liberations were absolutely harmon
ious from the beginning to the end.
The same or similar predictions
were frequent concerning the result of
the democratic plan of selecting COM
mittees by committee on committees.
But again our critics were doomed to
disappointment.
The democratic caucus of April i,
like the preceding one, was marked
by remarkable spirit of harmony and
good feeling.
Congress convened, and after elect
ing Champ Clark speaker of the house,
with the vote of every democratic
member in his favor, the real work OF
the session began.
Again and again has it been dem
onstrated that the party, as represent
ed in the lower house, is thoroughly
organized efficient working body.
Under the able leadership of Speaker
Clark, and Underwood, chairman Of
the ways and means committee, to
gather with his colleagues upon that
committee, the majority party in the
house is moving steadily forward to
ward complete fulfilIment of pledges
made to the people.
And what does this all mean when
viewed in the light of the coming con
test in 1912?
To my mind it can mean but one
thing, and that is, that the democratic
party will enter upon that contest
thoroughly united and harmonious
record of achievement and redemption
I lof party pledges in the lower house Of
congress. 1t will mean vigorous, en-
thusiastic and successful campaign re
isulting in the election of democratic
, Ipresident and a democratic majority
J in both houses of congress.
+, 1t is remarkable fact, but true, new
+ ertheless, that you can scarcely find
a republican member of congress who
privately will admit that Taft has a
ghost of show for reelection; YET
his denomination is conceded.
His advocacy of Canadian reciproc
ity has widened the breach in his party
to such an extent that utter demoraliz
alton seems imminent.
1t is amusing to hear those republi
can members of congress who voted
against the reciprocity agreement dis
! cuss the situation.
u In private conversation they frankly
say that they propose to run their cam
: paign for re-eectlion independent OF
the national campaign.
1t is unlikely that we will hear again
: in 1912, the familiar strain "elect a
republican congress so as to uphold
/ the president"
Some people have marveled that a
: democratic house should be able and
} willing to work so harmoniously with
republican president
The unfamiliar sight of democratic
speaker and democratic chairman of
the ways and means committee, con-
ferring freely with republican pres
: ident, seems to have startled even the
veterans.
But it is satisfactorily explained
} when we remember that Champ Clark
in his speech accentinp the election &c