The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1911-03-23
BRYAN STILL EX-
ERC|SES INFLUENCE
(From F. J. DYER.)
Especial to the Silver State)

regarding the program that will be
adopted for legislation. Champ Clark,
as the Democratic leader in the lower
house and prospective speaker, is re-
ceiving many suggestions from mem
bers of his party as to what should
be done. Some of these suggestions
are confidential, while others are in
the nature of open letters, and those
who submit them are seeking the ap
proval of the party at large.
1t would be impossible to summarize
all the SUGGESTIONS that are being
made, but they cover very wide
range, from the very conservative to
the exceedingly radical. Some think
that congress ought to act on the
presidents reciprocity treaty and ad-
journ, while others believe that this
is the time for the Democrats to enter
upon an extensive and radical legisla.
tive program. The course adopted
probably will be between the two ex-
tremes, and it is pretty safe to assume
that the more important things which
congress contemplates taking up will
be referred to committees which will
have several months time to make
an investigation so that there will not
be yer much precipitate and poorly
considered legislation.
The Tariff.
There is even less information avail
able regarding prospective Democratic
tariff legislation than there is with
regard to the general legislative pro-
gram. There has been no lack of
prognostication on this subject, and
good many statements have been
printed purporting to reflect the in
tentions of the Democratic majority.
AS matter of fact, however, there is
practically nothing certain, or at least
nothing known, about any plans that
may have been formulated. The ways
and means committee has been work
ing assiduously to put into shape the
mass of information in its possession
so as to form a tariff bill. The com
mittee is working as it did on the
Payne bill; that is to say, the majority
of the committee is making up the
bill and the minority will have nothing
to say about it except the privilege OF
submitting a dissenting report. None
of the Democratic members of the
committee will say a single word
about their deliberations, so that it
may be taken as an accepted fact that
anything printed on the subject is
pure guess work.
The Influence of Bryan.
William Jennings Bryan will un-
doubtedly be factor in the legisla-
tion which congress is about to take
up. But how much of a factor it is
very difficult to foresee. OF course
Mr.. Bryan is one of the great leaders
of the Democracy, and as such his
views are entitled to very serious con-
sideration. He has an immense per-
sonal following, and it is purely mat
ter of speculation whether his in
fluence is on the wane or not. How
ever, Mr.. Bryan does not wholly domi-
nate his party, as was seen recently
when he dropped into Washington for
the purpose, it is alleged, OF giving
counsel as to the organization of the
house. One of the things that Mr..
Bryan was alleged to have opposed was
the preferment of Representative
Fitzgerald, of New York, and it was
also stated, as with authority, that he
had failed in his purpose. This, how
ever, is not of itself sufficient evidence
that the counsel of the great COM
moner will fall upon deaf ears. He
has many staunch friends and real ad
mirers in both houses, and it may be
noted as significant that his approval
and support is earnestly courted by
the friends of every man who is men
toned in connection with the next
Democratic presidential nomination.
Senator Newlands' Plan.
One of the recognized Democratic
leaders, Senator Francis G. Newlands,
of Nevada, has written a letter to
Champ Clark in which he outlines a
program for Democratic action. 1t has
been practically certain, says Senator
Newlands, that in addition to recip-
rocity. congress will take up the tar
iff also. The senate will probably fol
low the lead of the house with regard
to the selection of the committee to
consider reform and constructive leg
islation. 1t is incumbent on the Demo
Gratis to indicate decisively to the
country what the party proposes to do
if it should be entrusted with power in
1912 He says:
"The voters in the next campaign
will rely more on our performances
than upon our promises, and we
Sn0uiu, UnereIoTe, uuriHS thc cAtid
session and the next session crystalline
into legislation so far as we can the
pledges we have made in our plat
forms.
The senator recommends adjust
ment of the trust and banking ques-
tions by national commissions in the
same way that the railroad question
has been handled. He believes in ap-
pointing budget committee to CO.
operate with the committee on expen-
ditures in the senate and the economic
commission appointed by the presid
dent, and the reduction of the military
and naval expense to $l00,000,000 an
nually for the army and a similar sum
for the navy, with the creation of a
merchant marine to be an auxiliary
to the navy in time Of war, and free
entry to American registry for all
ships, wherever built; for conservation
and the development of internal water
ways; in the independence of the
Philippines when those islands are
able to maintain q stable government;