Perth Amboy evening news., 1911-02-03
TAFT HOPEFUL
0FLECISLATION
Optimistic Re ard nj ksas'
ur Before Congress.
~ ARTHUR W. DUNN.

~ ARTHUR ". DUNN.
Washington, Feb. a. [Speciai.1 -
President Taft Is still optimistic re
Earding the legislative program. e.
pccially % far a it relates to the
measures he wants to have passed.
And he may get more than seems pos
sible at this time, for congress can
work rapidly when 1t determines to
use speed.
In every short session where an at
tempt d made to rush business very
much crude legislation Is passed which
needs correction later. That will no
doubt happen during the present on
gress II 1t Il finally decided to crowd
through many measures.
Congress and Making Presidents.
Tho friends of Governor Harmon are
not very much disturbed because the
mention Of his name In the Democratic
caucus In connection with the presi-
dency did not evoke Z hearty response.
Nor are keen observers who are friends
Of Champ Clark unduiy elated because
he was hailed as the NEXT president as
we'll as the next speaker and received
a great ovation. AL shrewd observers
know that congress does not make
presidents
Going back to the days Of Blaine 1t
Is found that Republican congressman
were nearly always for the losing man
I'm the national conventions. The Dem
| ocratic congressman were not for
Cleveland either time he was nomi-
mated save in 1885, when there was no
opposition to him. The same was true
or Bryan. Democratic congressman
were for Parker. who was beaten be-
fore the convention which nominated
him adjourned
Republican congressman were for
Tom Reed In 1893. and Mckinley was
nominated before the convention as
sembled. Congress was for the neld
In 1908, when Taft won easily.
While 1t is possible that Champ Clark
may get the nomination in 1912, no n
has become convinced Of 1t because
the Democratic caucus of congressman
cheered his name in that convention.
Hin Cooked His Figures.
Congressman Hill Of Connecticut was
making n short speech on the tariff,
and half a dozen Democrats were on
his back hurting questions at him. As
usual. Fill vas firing off a volley Of
figures, those figures which Champ
Clark has learned to respect and which
he leaves alone.
'aOh. you cooked up those figures"
interjected Congressman Burieson Of
Texas.
II did cook them up. and they are
well cooked" was Hills emphatic re-
sponse.
But no one would question a set Oh
figures which Hill puts forth. as he IL
the best statistician In flcs house.
Can complets the Frisxs.
For years the frieze around the In
side OF the dome Of the capitol has
been incomplete. Fifty years ago.
when it was painted. the principal
events OF American history were DE-
pieted. from the landing Of Columbus
to the discovery OF gold In California.
Then tie civil war tntarrupted the
work. and there could be- f0aEreement
as to what to put III the blank space.
Anything pertaining 10 the civil war
would be offensive to q large body OF
citizens. The suggestion that a picture
Of Cleveland opening thN worid'a fair
400 years after Columbus landed Nasl
rejected because 1 lot Of men did not
Hike Cleveland.
Now It Ia proposed to complete the
frieze with a picture of the opening of
the Panama canal As Columbus raj
searching for the route to the cas- by
| the way Of the west when he discov-
cred America 1t h considered appr0
pirate that the opening of q water
route to the east should I'LL that last
space Of the famous circle.
sideways Plea Won.
Big Cy Sulloway made q plea for
more money for the mail carrier on
Lake Winnepesaukee and won Here
after the mail carrier, as the legisla
tion states. who furnishes his own
power bout fer mail service during the
summer months" IS to b given 5000
a year Sulloway told the house how
that mail carrier supplied the business
men who I'm summer came to New
Hampshire and lived upon the beau
tiful Winnepesaukee.
In describing this spot he had Claude
Melnotte's description Of his bogus
ranch on Lake Como faded. and by the
time he concluded there vas not q
man In the house who would have
been Philistine enough to oppose the
Increase Of the pay for the mal car
rier.
Meyer May Advances.
If there should be n change in the
\ cabinet 1t Is quite likely that Secre
tary Meyer, now In the navy depart
ment. win be made secretary OF ths
I treasury. Secretary Macveagh has no
] been IN the best of health. and he ha,
\ accomplished about nil that was possi
I Bile IN rem sdeling the treasury and IL
improving business methods Mere
has a bent for finance and figures ant
would like 10 go into the treasury l
Macyeagh should retire.