The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1911-09-08
SENATOR FLETCHER ON THE
WORK OF CONGRESS

interviewed by the Times-Union and
the senator is made to say:
The party has made no breaks
and throughout the entire session of
congress, worked in perfect harmony
and with the most concerted action.
Senator Fletcher was asked for an
expression of opinion regarding the
work of the extra session. He said:
In the first place. public commenda-
ton is due the democrats of the
house who, under the brilliant lead
ership of Mr. Underwood, with
statesman and patriot in the speak
er's chair, have redeemed by their
record the promises and justified by
their united strength and wise &C.
tons the confidence expressed in the
elections of 1910
4 would include too, the courage
Gus and determined Insurgents who
stood for the peoples cause, so that
although the democratic majority in
the house is 63, only about S or 10
vote were needed to pass the wool
bill over the presidents veto by a
two-thirds majority
BY democratic votes, reciprocity
with Canada goes on the statute
books, and increased trade, freer and
more extended commercial relations
will result if Canada approves, and
the doctrine of high protective tar
if has received a terrific blow from
which it may never recover.
THE corrupt practices act which
democrats stood for, will restrain
scandalous expenditures in congress
sional and senatorial elections. and
. tend to correct the evil which
brought reproach heretofore.
The admission of New Mexico and
Arizona had been promised by both
parties, but Republicans objected to-
! the constitutions of Arizona. which
provided for the initatiative ,refren-
dunn and recall. extending the recall
TO the judiciary The president We
toed the bill on the latter ground and
it had to be amended so as TO elimin-
ate the provision TO rthe recall of
judges. Democrats generally, took
the position that the people OF Arl-
IONA had the right 10 place what they
pleased in their constitution, so long
as it provided for republican form OF
government. Particularly is this
reasonable. when it is remembered
that next year the territory becomes
a state, the very provision objected
to may be voted into their consTitu-
ton if the people chose. Belated
Justice has at last reached those ter
ritories. and we are to have two adj
ditional states.
The question of electing senators
by direct vote has been quite fully
considered and q long step forward
has been taken. The conferees did
not get together on the matters in
difference between the two houses,
but this question will soon be settled
in favor OF such election, and it will
come nearer being settled right when !
we get q few more democrats in the
senate-and they are coming
The president took great response:
hilirv on himself and his party when
he vetoed the farmers free list. the
wool schedule and the cotton schedule
with amendments bills
His position that We should wait
for the tariff board TO report will not
satisfy the people who are burdened /.
by excessive taxation and who are en-
titled TO relief. now.
His further suggestion that he VIII
recommend what should be done, at
the regular session is BASED on an
assumption Of power and authority |
which will not be agreeable 10 the
public in so far as it indicates that
the president must initiate leglsla- /
ton, and that congress the peoples
representatives. the lawmaking pow
er OF the government. must wait on
the executive 10 advise, outline and
favor legislation.
IT cannot be conceded that con-
gress. the legislative branch OF the
government. must pause and wait
the action OF the executive before
proceeding with its functions and
duties.
~As TO political results-the presi-
dent and the party which elected him
have lost ground The progressive
movement has received fresh i'm
petus.
The democracy has gained IN
strength in all portions Of the coun-
try.
When the president undertakes 10
enlighten the great west by showing
the benefits OF Canadian reciprocity
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