Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1911-06-08
Our Washington Letter.

| Once more the Republicans are disap-
pointed by the conduct of the Democrats
in the House of Representatives. For
weeks the Republicans have been await
ing disagreement on the part OF the
Democrats over the duty on wool, and
Republican papers have gone so far as to
predict bolt from the caucus and gen.
eral splitting up of the Democracy over
this troublesome schedule in the tariff
law.
II was great surprise and diSappoint-
ment as we'll for the Republicans when
the Democratic caucus of the House took
unanimous action on the wooden bill and
reported il to the House without dis
senting vote. The duty on wool is cut to
about one-half the duty in the pending
bill, but at the same time the Democratic
caucus adopted resolution to the effect
that the retention of reduced duty on
wool is not intended TO repudiate the
! Democratic doctrine that there should be
no duty on raw wool, but is necessitated
by the extravaganza OF successive Repub-
lican Congresses for the purpose OF pro-
ducing a revenue. And on this resolu
ton, as we'll as on the wool bill, the cau-
Gus was unanimous.
Democrats OF every section, represent
ing all kinds of constituents-wool grow
ers, wool manufacturers and wool con-
sumers-agreed to a man on the bill,
which was introduced by the Ways and
Means Committee, and il is gratifying to
know that the four Democrats OF the
West Virginia delegation were among
the original congressman who took the
stand which was finally approved by the
Democratic caucus as to wool, but keep
ing a revenue duty on it.
Senator Watson has given out state
ment of his views as to the delay in the
Senate in acting on measures which have
been sent to il by the Democratic House.
He holds that the Republican Senators,
with majority in the Senate, are reSpon-
sible for the period Of inactivity which
has marked the extra session of Congress
so far as the Senate is concerned, and
that they are preventing great business
revival which should be felt all over the
country. With the country in excellent
condition financially and the outlook good
for large crops, there is nothing to pre-
vent commercial prosperity, in the opln-
ion of Senator Watson, except the uncer-
tainty as to what tariff legislation will be
enacted. There is nothing in the legiS-
lation proposed by the House to alarm
business men, to retard trade, said Mr..
Watson, but business will not know on
just what basis it stands till the laws are
enacted or defeated, and the Republicans
of the Senate are responsible for the de-
lay in giving that assurance to business
that il will not be hurt which is needed
for commercial activity.
The Senate could consider all the meas
ures before it in few weeks, pass such
legislation as it sees fit, defeat the rest
and adjourn, if it would only get busy;
and to any one accustomed to the active,
pushing business life which Senator Wat
son has led, the delay is irritating and he
does not hesitate to lay the blame for The
delay and the consequent injury to bust
ness at the doors of the Republican Sena-
tors, who could prevent it but will not.
Senators Watson and Chiffon beth
showed their sincerity in urging action
upon the part of the Senate, for last Mon
day both OF them voted against adjourn
ing till Thursday and again on Thursday
they both voted against adiourning until
Monday. But the Republicans outvoted
them and week was lost.
While Nathan B. Scott was in the Sen
ate and a member of the Committee on
Public Buildings and Grounds, he had the
name OF West Virginia Avenue given to a
new street along the old right of way of
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad before
the new Union Station was built. This
street has become dumping ground for
old refuse of various kinds and is an eye
sore in that part of the city. Senator
Fletcher has introduced bill to provide
for the improvement OF the street and
Senator Chiffon has promised to help
him. Senator Chiffon says he does not
want the name OF West Virginia attached
to anything he would be ashamed OF, and
to protect the name OF the State he will
take an active part in having West Vii
sinia avenue improved till it is an honor
to the State whose name it bears.
Congressman Brown spent good part
Of the last week in his district. He went
out to Philippi, where he addressed the
Blue and Gray reunion in commemora-
ton OF the fiftieth anniversary of the bat
tie of Phillippi. He was also instrument
tai in having Judge Prouty, OF Iowa, now
in Congress from that State, attend the
meeting and deliver an address. II was
Mr.. Browns intention to remain in his
district for several days but he was Sum-
moned TO Washington to attend the DEM
ocratic caucus on the wool tariff on Thurs
day and remained over for the session OF
Congress on Friday. That night he left
for Shepherdstown 10 make an address
on Confederate memorial day. During
Mr.. Browns absence from Washington
the work of his office was kept up by his
secretary part of the time and by tenn
porary assistant in the person of James
Carroll, of Preston county.
Senator Watson has obtained a prom
Use from United States Fish Commission
er George M. Bowers that Robert Knott,
of Shepherdstown, will be given temper
AIRY employment for the summer with the
L