Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1911-04-26
Washington.

The formal launching of the boom
of Governor Judson Harmon of Ohio
for the presidency took place in the
rooms of Senator Pomerene Of Ohio
in the senate office building. Sena-
tor Pomerene sent out call to all
the 16 Democratic congressman from
Ohio to attend the meeting to dis.
cuss the outlook and devise ways and
means of promoting Mr. Harmon's
chances. All members of the Ohio
>nocratic delegation were present,
and it was stated by those friendly
that a unanimous declaration in his
favor will be made, probably next
week. The majority of the congress
men said they believed that Champ
Clark, rather than Woodrow Wilson
would be the most formidable com.
petitor for the nomination against
Harmon.
The Canadian reciprocity pact was
passed by the house by vote of 269
to SO, all the Democrats except 10
voting for the measure. A majority
of the Republicans present and voting
voted against it, the number of repre-
sentatives favoring being 81, while rs
Republicans and Aiken of New York,
"black Sheep" were againSt it. To
Leader Underwood is due large
share of credit for the successful
work. He displayed rare skill as the
Democratic floor leader and engineer
ed the bill to final passage with con.
summate ability.
Former Speaker Joseph S. Cannon
held the floor of the house in oppo-
sition to the Canadian reciprocity
agreement for three hours and in a
vigorous attack on President Taft's
pet policy, insisted that the proposed
legislation was inimical to the farm
ers. The gentleman whom Henry
Watterson of Louisville, KY, referred
to as "that magnificent old repro
bate" displayed his proyerbial vigor
and powers of endurance under the
strain of three hours continuous
speaking.
The majority report of the ways
and means committee on the social
ed farmers free list bill, submitted
to the house by Chairman Under
wood, is a merger of Democratic po-
litical argument and an analysis of
the proposed duty exemptions. The
report shows that the bill would re-
duce the tariff revenue $10,016,495,
based on the importations for the last
fiscal years, an amount described as
inconsiderable in comparison with
the great saving from the additions
i to the free list provided for"
The house committee on expendis
lures in the navy department, in its
inquiry, decided to request from Sec
retary Meyer information as to the
number of employees, the expense Of
the department for the ive-year Pc
riod beginning with the Spanish
American war and for the past five
years. Later the committee propos-
es to take up consideration of navy
reorganization plan. Provision for in
creasing the officers and decreasing
general expenses of the staff to s2,-
100000 is made.
A proposition for an armistice
pending negotiations for a settlement
of Mexico's internal troubles was re-
ceived by the department of foreign
relations from Washington, presum.
ably from DR.. Vasquez Gomez. A
reply was returned, in which it was
indicated that the government looked
with favor upon the suggestion. The
armistice proposal appeared to be a
direct outgrowth Of the battle Of
Aqua Prieta, and the consequent loss
of life and bodily injury occasioned
in Douglas by the fire from the MeXi-
can side. 1t points specifically to the
dangers of international complications
which might follow continuation Of
the conflict.
President Taft feels that he has
done personally all that can be done
by chief executive to control the
situation along the Mexican border.
He and his advisers believe that now
congress must say whether the stu.
alton is grave enough to warrant in.
teryention and its consequences.
Through the state department the ad.
ministration played what might be re.
garded as its last card. 1t reiterated
in no uncertain fashion the represen-
tations made to Mexico few days
ago, that affairs like that at Douglas
and Aqua Prieta must not be repeat
ed.
"An invasion of Mexico designed
for a limited and temporary purpose
might be like touching a match to a
tinder house." Senator Bacon of
Georgia, ranking minority member of
the senate committee on foreign re,
lations, thus epitomized the sentiment
of leaders OF both parties in tho two
branches of congress. While Tecog-
| nizing the gravity of the situation in
Mexico, congress is satisfied that the
president is doing everything that can
be done under the circumstances and
nowhere is there seen the slightest
disposition to embarrass him or his
program.