New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-05-18
From The Tribune Bureau. j

Washington. May IL.
INSrRGENT LAWGIVERS.-No more
ludicrous spectacle has been presented III
the national legislature than that anoroeo
by certain nsurgent Republicans VINO nope
TO win fame and glory by amending 'ne
antitrust laws. II is a safe bet that not
single insurrent has read the decision OF
the Supreme Court. Few, perhaps wouid
understand IT II they did But that Is no
deterrent 10 their propositions to ameno II
along lines which they believe VIII eAo'e
popular favor. Senator Bristow, as SOON
as he heard that the decision was against
the Standard oil Company. gave out an IN
terview In which he praised the judgment
OF the court in the highest terms. Inc
next morning he was informed that oespl'e
the fact that the decision was ADVERSE 'o
the Standard, stocks had gone up where-
upon he Immediately retracted his carrier
expression asserted that the dissenting
view Of Justice Harlan was the only COT
rect one and that the decision OF the re-
naming eight members OF the court was
simply execrable. Senator La folet'e'
who was in the court when the declslon
was rendered, but who saw, or beneled ne
saw. the popular side Of the SITUATION
promptly gave out an interview IN "hlch
he said that. while he could not near 'he
decision as pronounced by the CHIEF Jus
tice. he was heart and soul in harmony
with the views of Justice Harlan. Ahu
already the insurgents have held TWO con-
ferences. with the purpose of devising an
amendment 10 the law which would lake
from the court all discretion in its apphca-
ton Neither the fact that'there is not the
slightest possibility of such an amendment
receiving even the serious consideration or
Congress. nor the further fact that In the
opinion subscribed 20 by large majority
Of the court there is an intmauon that
such rlgidity would make the law pracu-
cally unenforceable and possibly unconsl-
tutional, will modify the heroics Of the
little band OF insurgents" who are. OF
course. seeking, not change Of the law.
but the promotion OF their own political
fortunes among that element OF the public
which is so lacking in intelligence as to
become an easy prey TO such dcmagosy.
To the infinite sorrow Of the insurgents
whose unfamiliarity with the law Itself and
with the Interpretation given 10 II by the
courts compels them 10 take time trying 10
devise some form of amendment, three
Senators stole a march on them to-day and
introduced proposed amendments. all seek
ing 10 compel the court TO construe the law
as prohib,ive Of all agreements in restraint
Of trade, whether such agreements he rea-
sonable or otherwise. The enterprising
statesmen who introduced these amend
ments are Senators Jones Of Washington,
Culberson, Of Texas and Reid of Missouri.
WISCONSIN CRAFTSMANSHIP. - As
chairman of the Senate Committee on
Census. Senator La Toilette is sitting tight
or the lid which covers that highly I'M
pOrtant' but 10 an insurgent aspirant for
the Presidency extremely uncomfortable
measure known as the reapportionment
bill This measure has been passed by the
House and the Democrats are anxious That
It should he reported TO the Senate, as was
shown by the inquiries of Senator Martin
some DAYS ago. Senator La Toilette does
not propose 10 report the bill II he can help,
however. and there's a reason" This
reason can be easily discovered by an eX-
animation Of the results of the passage of
this bill in the several states. Representa-
ton in national conventions is based on
representation in Congress, and careful
review Of the effects of the reappOrton-
ment bill shows that It would increase the
representation Of those states which are
certain to send solid delegations for Presi-
dent Taft and would. TO some extent d.
minish the representation of those from
which the Wisconsin patriot and other
members OF his party hope 20 secure insur-
gent DELEGATES Indeed a careful estimate
shows that the passage OF the reapportion-
delegates 10 the roster of the Republican
National Convention, while the number
from states which may possibly send in
surgent delegates will he reduced. Under
these circumstances, combined with the
fact that the New York delegation is not
anxious for the passage Of the nil and that
the Senate as whole prefers TO do nothing
il can escape doing al this session. It is
probable that the Wisconsin Senator will
remain on the I'd until the special session
adiourns. and before Congress has time to
act al the regular session the calls for con-
vcntons will have been issued.
CLARKIsM-Only the heroisn1 ~ Repre-
sentative Henry. Of Texas. concealed the
| fact to-day that "Clarkism' IS rapidly as
| suming in the House the same proportions
as did "Cannonism' when the Danville
statesman was the presiding officer Of that