The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-02-16
Finly H. Gray, Who Will
Represent the Sixth Dis
trict After March 4, Out
lined His Policies.
EXPLAINED ACTION
IN PARTY CAUCUS
Refused to Indorse Clark for
Speaker at Washington
Meeting Because of Pledge
to Voters.

In an interesting speech before the
meeting of the Jefferson club last ev-
ening. Representative-elect Finly II.
Gray outlined his views on a number
OF the political questions OF the day
and explained the stand taken by him
at the recent party caucus at Wash
ington. Mr.. Gray at the opening Of
his talk declared that he hadn't much
to say at this time. but that when he
reached Washington he hoped to pur.
sue a course. independent Of strict
party influence. which he hoped would
cause no regret among either Demo
Gratis or Republicans Of the Sixth dis
trict.
Mr.. Gray said that he had been
considerably criticised for his stand
at the caucus at Washington In not
voting for Champ Clark for speaker
The pledge that he would not bind
himself by any party caucus made
during the campaign. he declared. was
one which aided his election. and he
said that when he attended the Wash
ington meeting he remembered that
pledge to his constituents and held to
H. As TO who he would vote for Mr..
Gray said he did not know. lie de.
clarcd he had the greatest respect for
Champ Clark. "My vote will go for
the most progressive man. Republican
or Democrat. on his merits alone" "
said Mr.. Gray. but ! will say you will
have to go pretty far to get a more
progressive man than Mr.. Clark"
Another Explanation.
MIR. Gray explained hts action In Of
fering q resolution at the caucus look.
ing toward the recognition Of the Re-
publican insurgents as separate
body for committee assignments. He
said that he had been told by a mum.
her of insurgents that II they had to
look to the Republican leaders for
committee assignments they would
get practically no recognition. When
the matter came up at caucus Mr.
Gray said he grabbed piece OF paper
wrote out the resolution and present
ed Il. accompanied by few remarks
to the effect that II was only fair for
the standpattcrs to name their own
committeeman. and no more than
fair for the insurgents to name their
representatives.
According to Mr.. Gray there was
him Mt the caucus to have him vote
for Champ Clark and stand in line
with the party in all things He de
clared that the suggestion was ever
made to him that II his solid support
was not given to all party measures
he would not secure any good com
mittee assignments. His reply was
that he could at least be the commit
tee. chairman and all. of his own vote
and that he believed the way many o
the representatives had voted in the
past II would be very good assign
mcnt.
Committee Selections.
Mr.. Gray spoke on his vote at tn,
caucus in favor OF the establishment
OF committee on committees. II,
declared that he with many others IL
the party had believed the proposition
right when the Democrats were out o
power and that now they had com,
into once he still believed 1t right. I
Ia his opinion that committee Cal
handle the matter of committee ap
pointmcnts better than an individual
III ] were In congress now" sal,
Mr.. Gray, Il would have voted TO
the Canadian reciprocity bill. be
hcvc II Ia a good measure. and nj
entering wedge for further reciproC
ity negotiations. II we had enough
reciprocity that would be all the tarit
revision we would want"
Mr.. Gray also declared that II h,
was In congress now he believed h,
would vote for the tariff commission
that he believed II right to establish
a commission to ascertain facts touch
ing upon tariff rates. but that h
would not wait for any report by tn,
commission but would stand for tn
mediate fulfllment of the part,
pledge for revision Of the existin,
tariff. He said he believed the crea
tion Of commission was designed I,
cause delay and expressed his disar
proval OF this feature OF the plan.
Opposes Ship Subsidy.
Ship subsidy was particularly cor
dcmned by MIR. Gray. He declare,
that Il Was in direct contrast to tn
policy OF economy being pursued .
persistently in the postoffice depar,
ment. and he believed the expendi,
ure Of millions which the subsidy bi
would require could be put to a muc
better use by increasing the salary Q
the postal clerks rather than by 81,
ing the money to the ship owners.
The stand Of President Taft in fol
tcring the Canadian reciprocity bi
l1soa.Ainaa,A Rnrn EirhAl