The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1911-09-06
LITTLE TO SHOW AS CONCRETE
RESULT OF SPECIAL SESSION.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE e

pure food laws has been exposed by
one Of many Investigations originating
in the Democratic house, and a couu-
trywide issue is raised over the ques'
ton Of whether the activities OF Dr.
Harvey W. Wiley, the governments
pure food expert, have been made IN
effective.
Committees Of the house on expendi-
lures in the government departments
were directed in special resolutions to
inquire thoroughly into the affairs OF
the government. The Democrats an
nounced that there would be a gen.
eral housekeeping, that extravaganza
was rampant and that economies
would be proposed. Predictions OF
many sensations were made. FOR
many weeks the investigations pro-
gressed, and none of the committees
has completed its task.
Much other work started by commit
tees must await the action Of the next
session.
The question of coal lands in Alaska,
the Controller bay controversy In
which President Taft's nanie 6gured'
and all the kindred questions OF gov
ernment ownership and control allied
Herewith will be inherited by the sts
sion which begins next December.
The Alaskan syndicate charges made
by Delegate Wickersham Of Alaska
against Attorney General Wickersh:m
came to naught in this session, but
doubtless will come up in some form
next session. Bills were introduced
providing for a coal land leasing sTs-
TEN.
One of the investigations wnicn al
tracted national attention because Of
it's rather startling and sensational
disclosures was the Day portrait
voucher Investigation by the house
committee on expenditures ir the state
department. AS result Ct its find:
ings the committee recommended the
dismissal from the service of William
81. Michael former chief clerk Of the
state department, now American con-
sui general at Calcutta, and of Thomas
Morrison, disbursing clerk of the de-
taftmsnt; but finally the whole matter
was referred to President Taft for
such action ais he thought proper.
: Bryan's Attack On Underwood.
Proceedings in the tsase under cau-
Gus rule, led by Mr.. Uhaefwood, pre-.
cipitated a sharp controversy between
Mr.. Underwood and William Engs
Bryan. Mr.. Bryan was aroused BE-
cause Of the failure Of the house eau
Gus to- include in it's tariff program at
first the revision Of the iron and steel
schedule. He attacked Mr.. Under
wood on this ground, but the latter
received an overwhelming vote OF con-
fidence when the matter was made an
issue in the house. During the contro-
versy the ways and means committee
was at work on an iron and steel re-
vision plan, but it remained for the
senate to act on this schedule. With
the acquiescence of house leaders the
senate attached an iron and steel
schedule to the cotton bill.
The house concurred in this amend
mert.
When tie special session convened
on April 4 the house was organized by
the Democratic ways and means COM
mittee, and this body made the com
>mittee assignments. The new system
eliminated what was known for many
Years as the czardom of the speaker.
The committee also directed the de-
liberations Of the, Democratic caucus
and framed the legislative program OF
the session.
In the senate. with many. Of the Old
leaders missing, a remarkable alliance
was formed between the Democrats
and insurgent Republicans, led by La
Toilette, Cummins and Bristow. After
the first few weeks of the session. 1t
worked harmoniously until the closing
week, when occurred one Of the most
: spectacular legislative upsets in many
. years. The severance Of the coalition
came on consideration Of the cotton
! bill When Senator Cummins with
drew am amendment to- attach iron
and steel revision to the cotton bill
the Democrats ssi.ed on it as their
! o!Xin" o!i:," aid We're aDie to PASS It when
regular: Republicans .refraincd from
voting dif atscnsca themsclres from
the chaalsS. ....,
One Of. the: cfa,,its:$ifaa' ing features OF
the session is that ptfsiSanSEip has
bee, little in .eviaea"t:: ON Canadian
reciprocity: the I>cnlocrst:sS$ supported
almost to ., ran. aiId Oh the tariff
revision ills ,l!c" l'rc&-eSS!y!t' Hepub-
!lraas aid DEMOCRATS worktfl' toreth-
er. While the ast or laws passed was
not long. the extra session laid the
;ronntwo:& for important work i'll the
regular session.
Yet. while there vas l:ttle partisan
politics Of the old variety in the Ses-
Sion. there was presidential politics IN