The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1911-06-02
AFFAIRS AT WASHINGTON

lou, May ZS.-lQe Ieatur
OF the debate upon the question O
st;debood for Arizona and New Mex
leo centered about discussion of tn
provisions of the Arizona documen
providing for the iniative, referen
rum and recall. Particular emphasi
was given to the recall provision a
applied to the judiciary. The com
mittee on territories of the hous,
reported the statehood matter of New
Mexico with a number of amend
ments, to placate the demands of tn,
New Mexico Democrats. AS the con
stitutional convention of Arizona wa.
controlled by Democrats, the commit
tee took 1t upon themselves to en-
dorse the particular feature to which
the Republican minority, backed by
President Taft, entertain emphatic
objections. The Republican position is
that the recall provision of the con.
stitution was forced upon Arizona
and they now desire that the question
be submitted to the voters to be
acted upon separately at the time OF
election of state officers. Statehood
matters have been complicated very
much in the house, and if the two
territories are delayed in obtaining
their ambitions through the action of
the senate and the executive, the
reason therefor may be plainly laid
to the door of the Democratic house,
which has gone out of it's way to
advance political interests in the two
territories.
1t may be set down as an absolute
certainty that the numerous dis
patches going out of Washington to
the effect that President Taft will
not be a candidate next year. are
idle gossip. During the past week
it has been made clear that Ex-Presi-
den Roosevelt will give his hearty
support to the denomination of Pres
ident Taft. Governor Chase Osborn
OF Michigan, one of the irestest pro-
gressives of the country, is also out
spoken in favor of the nomination.
Congress has been somewhat obstrep-
rous with the President, but the ex-
ecutive has been demonstrating that
ne is entire master of the situation,
and his legislative ideas have been
pretty we'll carried out through the
61st congress and the special session.
While there is good deal of talk
to the effect that Senator La Toilette
and other progressives will attempt
% stand in the way of the renomina-
ion OF Mr.. Taft, it is believed here
hat the political atmosphere is clear
ng SO rapidly chat all opposition will |
disappear long months before the
campaign of 1912 is iniated.
The question of surrender by the
ederal government of the control of
he election of United States senators
las become an important factor in
his big subject of legislation. The
I'LL recently passed by the house pro-
ides that control of these elections
hall remain with the states. The
amendment, which has
cen reported by a minority from the
enate judiciary committee, contends
nat the people of the United States
annot afford to surrender to the
tates this important function which
has exercised since the beginning
I the nation in election matters, since
he policy with respect to elections
members of the lower house has
ways been adhered to. Of course
lie niger in the fence" is easily
scovered as the southern Democrats
ar that unless they retain state con-
oil of their elections that the United
,ates government may become trou- G
esome in the southern states where
sgro voters have been DISTINGUISHED
The Democratic members of the Z
avs and means committee of the
'use, who have been trying to find
plan for the revision of the tariff !
wool, have been having plenty OF !
ouble, owing to a division of senti- !
ent as to whether the tariff should y
reduced, or wool placed upon the I
ee list. The advocates of lower tar !
schedules are hearing from all =
er the country, and mighty pro- :
IT has been raised. The Democrats Z
iscovering that their program !
'uld leave the Unit.i States treas Z
empty, and they h,,s fallen tack Z
eli their old PLAZA to protec. wool|4
erests SUFFICIENT 20 secure "a TAR !
for revenue only" X
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