Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-05-26
LEVER ON WORK OF CONGRESS.
Talks of Legislation and Party
Prospects.

LEVER ON WORK OF CONGRESS.
Talks of Legislation and Party
Prospects.
Congressman Lever, who has been
at home for several days, as he says.
ito get breath Of fresh air and some
thing to eat," talked enthusiastically
to the News and Courier correspond
ent last week regarding the results al
ready accomplished by the Democratic
house. I'VE have" he said, 80 far
as we have gone, kept the faith with
the people of the country. We have
done more substantial work in the in
terest of reform legislation since the
assembling of this congress on the 4th
of April, than has ever been done by
one congress in the history of the
country in the same length OF time.
SIN harmonious caucus we mapped
out programme for this entire ses-
sion, involving the election Of senators
by direct vote OF the people, cor
rupt practice act to purify our elec-
tions, the passage Of the Canadian re-
a
equallzing tariff taxes and reducing
their burdens, the admission Of Arizo-
ma and New Mexico into the Union;
and thus far we have already passed
the bill for the election of senator's by
the people, the publicity bill, the recip-
rocily bill, the free list bill, and dur
ing this week the statehood bill Will
pass; and while this Is being done the
ways and means committee Will have
ready for consideration by the caucus
the bill revising and readjusting the
wool schedule. When this is acted up
on the cotton schedule and perhaps
rubber and steel will be considered.
Democrats United.
"The encouraging thing about all OF
this Is the Democrats have shown an
unbroken front, unanimity OF feeling
and an enthusiasm not seen in the
party since the war. Every man Of us
feels that the reforms sought by the
people can be reached only through
the fundamentally of the Democratic
party, and each man is willing to con-
cede much Of his private opinions as
to particular propositions for the good
OF the party"
Is there any probability of raw wool
being placed on the free list? 81
think not my opinion Is there will be
a reduction Of so per cent or there
abouts running through the whole
schedule, with such readjustments as
will most nearly destroy the burdens
Of this iniquitous schedule. 1t is hard
ly possible to put wool on the free list
and maintain proper regard for the
revenue necessary to the administra-
tion of the government. A large ele-
ment, of course, favors placing wool
upon the free list, but am confident
the more conservative and experienced
element in the party will recognize
the danger to the revenues In losing
something like twenty million dollars
annually, and that some plan of grad
ual reduction will be worked out.
There will be no split Of the party on
this question or any other. We intend
to stand together, believing that the
hope of the party is In unity"
Clark For President.
What about presidential candidates,
he was asked. That's good distance
off. It is strange how situations
change. A few years ago there was
plethora of Republican timber and
dearth of Democratic timber. The
situation is exactly reversed today.
President Taft Is certain Of necessity
to be the standard bearer OF his party.
He is the only man IN 1t that has
ghost of a chance OF success. and MS
chance is only ghost Of chance. on
the other hand the Democratic party
is rich In presidential timber and there
will be no difficulty experienced by
national convention In finding a man
who will measure up to the full stand
ard as a party leader. Yes, there Is
much talk around Washington about
Speaker Clark, who possesses many
elements of leadership and character
istics which will appeal strongly to the
masses. II this Democratic house con-
tinues to make good in the future as
II has In it's brief life would predict
that Speaker Clark will be formida-
BILE factor. He is showing splendid
leadership in the fact that he Is refus-
ing to assume the responsibilities en-
Itirely which belong to the member
ship of the house. He Is putting this
upon the boys with the result that eV-
cry man realizes that there Is work for
him.
"Mr. Clark is strongly seconded by
Mr.. Underwood, Of the ways and
means committee, who Is showing
himself to be a great leader. 1t will
not do to overlook Speaker Clark In
presidential calculations.
Wilson Appears Strongest.
Governor Wilson is at this moment
perhaps strongest With biC 6ChSioi
public. He seems to be an almost per-
feet admixture of conservative and
progressive, which makes him an al
most ideal antithesis Of President Taft.
1t gives him a strength which Cover
nor Harmon does not possess, because
he is more of the same type OF man as
is President Taft than is Governor
Wilson. The contest in the next DEM
ocratic convention will likely be among
these three men, either of whom, In
my judgment, can defeat any man
nominated by the Republican party.
OF course no one can foretell the ef-
feet the developments Of the future
may have upon the prospects Of these
men,"
What do you think Of the future for
the party? 1T was never brighter:
the country is thoroughly disgusted
with Republican maladministration,
and this congress Is convincing the
country that the Democratic party is
capable of conducting the government
in a conservative and business-like
way in the interest Of all the people.
1t is a 10 to l bet that the next presi-
dent will be a Democrat, and he will
either be named Wilson, Harmon or
Clark"
Mr.. Lever will return to Washington
in time for the caucus on the wool
schedule, which Is likely to be next
week.