The citizen., 1911-03-24
THE PEOPLE DEMAND THAT
CONGRESS, AT THE EXTRA
SESSION. SHALL DO
BUSINESS.

The extra session Of Congress, which
will convene on April 4th. mas very
plain duty to perform.
The people by their verdict at the cleo
ton last November mad known in the
clearest and most versatile terms what
they demand Of their representatives in
Congress then elected and 70 be elected
to the Senate by the Legislature then
elected by the people.
OF course there were several questions
and issues presented in the campaign.
but beyond any question The leading and
controlling issue was the question Of the
tariff. The high cost Of living and the
enormites Of the tariff oppression had
brought vividy 10 the minds Of the people
the gross injustice and oppression OF the
people by virtue Of high protective tariff.
Besides that the expenses Of the people
had at last opened their eyes to the vast
and fabulous fortunes that the privileged
classes had accumulated by virtue Of the
tariff, and in their righteous wrath they
aimed deadly blow at the whole system
OF high protective tariff by striking down
the Republican party which was wholly
responsible for the system Of robbing
which has been the most grevious curse
that was ever inflicted upon any people
on the earth.
This is what the people demanded by
their votes at the last election. and It is
blind man and an ignorant man who does
not know it, In addition to this, the Re
publican party, in the platform upon
which Mr. Taft was elected to the Pres-
dency, had promised the people 10 make
a reduction Of the tariff and MIR Taft all
through the campaign had promised that
there should be reduction Of the tariff.
and yet the pledges Of both the platforms
and Of Mr.. Taft in person were recklessly
broken and the demands Of the people
were dehed and trampled under foot.
The President has been forced to call
an extra session Of Congress, and in that
Congress, the House Of Representatives
elected last fall will have a large majority
OF Democrats, and the Ssnate il is thought
will contain majority Of Democrats and
insurgent Republicans who are in favor
OF a reduction OF the tariff
The people expect Of this Congress,
and not only expect Of this Congress, but
demand Of this Congress that ii shall get
down to business and do business. The
business the people demand shall be done
is the business Of the people. and not the
business Of the privileged classes. OF
course this will be wide departure from
the Republican methods for the IaSl fory
years, for in all those years the business
OF Congress has been TO legislate 50 that
a privileged few would rob the people
under the gulSe Of high protective tariff.
We do moi mean to say that there are
no Democrats elected in the next Con
gress who are IN favor of high tariff, for
We have no doubt there will be found
Democrats in both the Senate and House
who are in favor Of high tariff. In every
case. however, where a Senator or mem
Der OF the House is found to be in favor
OF protective tariff, it will be found that
his hand is in the pork barrel. He is
either getting some Of the sugar directly
or indirectly, or his friends or relatives
are getting the sugar We don't think a
single exception will be found to this
rule.
1t may be there will be one or two from
our own State tainted with high tariff.
One OF our Senators voted for it in the
PAYNE Aldrich tariff bill, and there will be
found Senators and members both at this
session who will vote with the Republi-
cans for protective tariff.
The only thing for the Democrats to do
is to go right ahead and do business that
is urgently needed by the people and for
people Strike down the tariff on all the
Iood products, and the cotton and wooden
clothes OF The people and all lumber and
building material so that the people can
build homes as cheap as possible.
If some Democrats are found IN the
Senate or House standing in the path the
party must follow. the only
thing to do is simply to go over them, and
march,on to the goal 50 much to be de-
sired by the people reduction OF the
robber tariff to tariff for revenue only
II this is not done this Congress will be a
dismal failure and will be repudiated by
the people.