American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1911-01-07
but are in reality a handicap to prog.

1t seems likely that the contest in
the senate will 60 on for a long time
before any change can be effected in
the laws written or unwritten which
govern procedure in that body. In
the house the attempt of some of the
republicans to- prove the inutility OF
new rules Is said to be more for the
purpose OF showi the insurgent Re-
publicans that they did not know what
they were doing when they forced
certain changes, than because of any
real intention to try to get back to
the old status. It will not be long be-
fore the Democrats will be In control
of the house and the question of the
rules will be Of no particular Repub-
lican concern unless perchance some
future insurgent Democrats should at
tempt to combine with the Repub-
licans to do just what some insur-
gent Republicans by combination with
the Democrats succeeded in doing at
the last session.
Senate Moves Slowly.
The senate changes Its methods
slowly and only at -er long continued
elaboration. Senatorial courtesy" Is
pretty nearly as strong today as ever
it was and there are certain things
which are done not SO much because
a majority of the senate thinks they
ought to be done, as because some
senator makes personal appeal that
it shall be done. This of course does
not apply to matters Of important
legislation, but rather to such mat
ters as getting bills which are of local
interest to some senator, through the
chamber with expedition. Senatorial
courtesy also applies to appointments,
and the senate Is always loath to ap-
prove the nomination of a man II the
senators from the nominees state en-
ter objection.
Associate Justice of the Supreme
Court Charles E. Hughes has allowed
himself to be quoted to the effect that
he Is without presidential ambitions.
Recently 1t was told how some of the
Progressive Republicans holding Of
fetal office In the capital had come to
the belief that Justice Hughes was
the only man who could bring togeth-
err the factions Of the Republican par
ty and thus put the organization in
condition to make a strong fight in
the next presidential campaign. This
movement of support for Hughes has
gathered considerable Roadway, but
the %supposition is that it must now
be taken for granted that the justice
is fixed to the bench until the retiring
age comes to him. 1t Is conceivable,
however, that If there should be a
united party demand in the future
hat he stand for the presidency he
might reconsider his present deter
mination.
When the newly appointed chief
justice of the United States, Edward
Douglass White, was sworn in as
chief justice, the oath was admins
tered by Associate Justice Harlan.
who is the jurist longest in service on
the Supreme bench. During the Civil
war Chief Justice White and Asso-
ciate Justice Harlan met in battle,
White on the southern side and Har-
Ian on the northern side.
Captain Sims Must Explain.
A word of explanation is still await
ed by the navy department from Capt.
William s. Sims of the European feet.
who made an after dinner speech in
England to which exception has been
taken by the officials who fear that
the nature of the speech will offend
the continental powers. The sailor
speaker said something about America
being willing to join forces with Great
Britain in case any foe should threat
en- the English-speaking race.
Soldiers. sailors and civil officials
of the United States government time
and again have said things In speech
es or have set down things In writing
which later came back to cause them
trouble. 1t has been declared with
an attempt at huuor that so far as
after dinner speeches are concerned
the spirit of the occasion" was re-
%sponsible. This IL a polite way of
saying hat the enthusiasm and lack
of restraint of the speaker were in
part due to something outside what
may be called exactly natural causes.
There is apt to be a popping of corks
at b%anquets.
"Sober-Sided" Officer.
1t is NOT likely that Captain Sims
Of the navy overstepped the bounds
of propriety at the banquet, for he ia
known as a sober minded and sober
sided officer, but nevertheless he
will have ONE explaining to do. It
is not likely, however, hat this old
sailor will be made to walk the plank,
though it is possible he may be ad-
monished in fairly sharp terms by the
admiral of the fleet, who may be d.
rected to the admonishing duty by
the secretary of the navy.
The case of Admiral Coghlan. who
died not long ago, probably will be
recalled quickly in this connection. 1t