The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1911-08-23
SPEAKER CLARK SUMS UP
THE RESULT OF THE SESSION

THE RESULT OF THE SESSION |
Judging by the work OF Reed, Hen |
derson and Cannon in the speakers |
chair, the country had come to believe |
that only tyrant and a bully could |
preside over the national house OF rep |
resentatives. During the extra ses-
sion just closed, Champ Clark, the
first democrat who has held the speak |
er's chair since 1895, has ruled eff
ficiently but with very little friction.
The country has heard nothing of the
outbreaks it was used to reading OF
almost every day while Cannon held
the chair.
In summing up the work of the ses-
sion Speaker Clark says that the dem
ocratic majority in the House has set
a good example for democrats every
where and that the party has redeem
ed every promise it made in the cam
paign Of 1910, when the democrats
wrested control of the House from the
republicans.
cat this session the democrats have
made a record which has surprised
our friends and dumfounded our en-
emies.' said Speaker Clark. "It has
put heart and hope into democrats ev-
cry L lie cara ScSSIOA -" dS CA
traordinary not only in the sense of
having special session called by the
president, but also in the amount and
quality Of the work done in the House
by the combined democrats and insur-
gents. and the combined democrats
and republican insurgents in the SEN
ate, and especially by the unanimity of
the action developed by the House
democrats
Republicans Worsted
lit was predicted freely, vociferous-
ly. Enthusiastically and confidently by
the stand patters' press and orators
that we would go to pieces. On that
account. and by reason of that hope
they rejoiced that the extra session Of
Congress was called, so that we might
go to pieces at the earliest possible
moment. But we have sorely disap-
pointed all their expectations. They
even set the date when we would go
to pieces, which was the day of the
democratic caucus on January 10Th,
but. fortunately for them, in that eau
Gus everything was done unanimously.
They then said surely we would go to
pieces soon we reached the tariff
question. but again they were doomed
to disappointment. and we did not go
to pieces at all. We are more thorough
ly united in the House at the end of
the session. if possible, than at the be-
ginning.
Set Good Example
I'VE have set good example to
democrats everywhere. Sneered at for
years as a party Of mere negation. and
as being utterly lacking in ability for
constructive craftsmanship. We passed
through the House more constructive
legislation. and better, than has passed
through the House in the same length
of time in twenty years. We have set
the pace in that regard for future
houses.
Promises Redeemed
I'VE redeemed every promise made
in order to carry the elections in 1912.
We have economical, We passed the
reciprocity bill, the cotton bill, with
the Senate amendments. which includ-
ed the iron and steel schedule and the
chemical schedule; we submitted for
ratification a constitutional amend
ment providing for popular election OF
senators OF the United States; we pass
ed a bill for the publication Of cam
paign expenses before the election: we
hveralized the rules, making the COM
"itlteS elective ny the I1OuS0. we
passed resolution to admit New Mex
leo and Arizona, and we passed a
large number of other bills of more
or less Importance. 1t is a record OF
which we may we'll be proud, and on
which We willie sweep the country in
1912.
.Standpatters" DemOralixed
ITO show how completely the stand
rannh1ir3nS 6an1nFa1iZe6 IT is
only necessary to quote the newspape,
statement that there was great re-
joicing and congratulations at the
White House because We failed to
scratch to get the two-thirds major
ity to override the presidents veto, al
though We have only sfxty-three ma
jority in the House. To this complex
ion has it come at last. that the pres
ident, who rode into power by a huge
majority. is glad to escape the humil-
iation of having his vetoes over-riddeS
in a House containing majority Of
only sixty three. Small favors are
thankfully received by the administra.
ton.
Notwithstanding the fact that fou,
cabinet members were on the floor OF
the House lobbying in favor of the
veto with all their power, allurements
help them influence votes, twenty.
two insurgent republicans had the
courage and manhood to override the
presidents vetoes. What's writ is
writ and whatever the future may
have in store. the honor of having per
feet unanimity among the democrats
and of achieving an extraordinary
amount of constructive craftsmanship
at this extraordinary session can new
er be taken away from US. Every dem
ocrat in the House and every insur-
gent republican who stood up to the
rack is entitled to his full share OF
credit.
I'VE honestly and persistently en-
deavored to relieve the people of some
of their burden of taxation, but the
president would not have it, To use &
.porting phrase. he blocked the game.
On these issues we appeal to the conn-
try. feeling absolutely certain that as
we have stood manfully for the best
interests Of the people. the people viii
stand by US.