The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-01-03

| and while leaders are conceding it is
necessary to do this in order to keep
Democratic promises, the fact of the
matter IS there is reluctance on the
part of a large number of Democrats
in the house to try it.
Some of the members are covertly
against the plan, want the speaker to
name the committees, and are willing
quietly to throw obstacles in the road
OF a committee on committees or any
similar proposition. Others who believe
the speaker should be stripped of pow
er are weakened about a committee
on committees or any form of election
OF committees by the house. They say
they fear it may cause confusion.
Inc uncertainty of one element and
the secret hostility of another element
is Jeopardizing the plan to have a COM
m1ttee On committees. Talk is arising
that the caucus after all may decide to
let the speaker name the committees.
II is expected that the plan of hav-
ing a party leader, as suggested by John
Sharp Williams in a recent interview,
VIII De discussed seriously at the eau
CTS.
The tariff question is likewise giving
trouble and concern in the Democratic
camp. The Democrats are divided on
the question of what tariff policy ought
TO be followed. 1t was lately pointed
out by Congressman Ransdell that some
OF the Democrats are free traders some
are for tariff for revenue and others
are prOtectionists.
1t Is not easy to see on what com
mon ground they will be able to meet.
II they fail to meet on common ground,
then the whole business of tariff re-
VISION may be endangered and Demo-
cratic pledges may be broken, with the
result that the Republicans will be
strengthened for the 1913 campaign.
What's happening on the foor?"
asked Senator Borah formerly of Kan
sas) as he saw Senator Brown of Ne
braska leave the chamber with weary
look on his face
F1rSt-claSS in history is now in ses-
s1on," said the Nebraskan. I'm going
back to the Office to digest some of the
information with which the senate at
mosphere is laden
Come over here and tell me about
1t" said Senator Borah, $50 that I may
spare myself the trouble of going in
Side''
Il don't want to be unfair to Joe
BriStow," announced Senator Brown
but [ am rapidly coming to the con-
clusion that his education in history
was sadly neglected and that he is
now catching up. Mind you, I may be
all wrong, but you can judge for your
self
'Bristow started to make some in
quiries about these French spoliation
claims. No one objected to that, since
millions of dollars are involved. The
difficulty was that he did not seem to
know when to stop asking questions,
or else, as / suspect. he did not feel
that he had learned enough history.
Go in there now and you will see Joe
popping questions at some of our literary
colleagues. He has had poor Lodge work
ing overtime for three days. Henry
Cabot, you know, is some historian him
self, having produced numerous volumes
about the history of the United States.
-. Bristow will come across an item of
CAnfnrR6 AmQTjnan
I desire to know says Joe, looking in
the direction of Lodge, what bearing this
some senator can tell me finland the
nature of that treaty
Lodge. of course, must sustain his rep
utation as an historian. He grabs book !
of treaties, discourses learnedly on the
treaty between France and the United
States. and connects the claim with the
treaty. Then BristoW picks out another
claim and another treaty, and SO on for
three days"
do you know said Borah. eff Bris-
tow were not certain of reelection out
in Kansas might suspect that he was
himself for a professorShip in
American history
The prolonged fight in the senate over
the French spoliation claims brought out
a sharp clash between Senator Crawford
of South Dakota and Joe Bristow, in I
which the former spoke or Bristow, first |
as a Puritan and later as a nero. He made !
other accusations, too. Bristow replied: /
Mr.. President, the senator from South
Dakota has accused me of many things.
deny the charge. My ancestors were not /
fortunate enough to be Puritans. They |
happened to settle on the Rappahannock,
in Virginia, about 1880.
1.-The senator from South Dakota seems
to think that I am hero. 1 am no hero;
at least, 1 have not been feeling like a
hero for the last three days During this
debate, 1 have not been greeted with that
acclaim which is given to a hero"
The senate has confirmed the following
kansas City was admitted to practice be-
M. Highley. Cawker City; Joseph Nc
Creary, COffeyville; Harry c. Smith Hill
City; William H. True, St. Marys
The department has reappointed the fol-
lowing postmaSterS of the fourth class in
Kansas: Even S. McKain, Quinter; Will
liam H. McAttee, Nina; John w. Mead