Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1911-09-02

pure food laws has been exposed by
one OF many investigations originating
Ia the Democratic house. and coun-
trywide issue Is raised over the uues-
ton Of whether the activities OF DR..
Harvey W. Wiley. the governments
cure food expert. have been made In
elective -~-a.---~~---~~-.--'
Committees Of the house on expendl-
lures In the government departments
were directed in special resolutions to
inquire thoroughly Into the affairs Of
the government. The Democrats an
nounced that there would be gen
eral housekeeping. that extravaganza
was rampant and that economies
would be proposed Predictions Of
many sensations were made. For
many weeks the Investigations pro-
crossed, and none of the committees
has completed its task.
Much other work started by commit
tees must await the action of the next
session.
The question of coal lands in Alaska.
the Controller bay controversy, In
which President Taft's name figured.
and all the kindred questions OF gov
eminent ownership and control allied
Herewith will be inherited by the SEES
sion which begins next December.
The Alaskan syndicate charges made
by Delegate Wickersham of Alaska
against Attorney General Wickersham
came to naught in this session, but
doubtless will come up In some form
next session. Bills were introduced
providing for coal land leasing sys-
tenn.
One of the investigations which at
tracted national attention because of
its rather startling and sensational
disclosures was the Day portrait
voucher investigation by the house
committee on expenditures In the state
department AS a result of Its find
ings the committee recommended the
dismissal from the service of William
II. Michael, former chief clerk of the
state department, now American con-
sui general at Calcutta, and of Thomas
Morrison, disbursing clerk of the de-
partment, but finally the whole matter
was referred to President Taft for
such action as he thought proper.
Bryan's Attack on Underwood.
Proceedings In the house under eau
Gus rule, led by Mr. Underwood, pre-
cipitated sharp controversy between
Ito To- "a
Bryan. Mr.. Bryan was. aroused be-
cause of the failure of the house eau
Gus to include in Its tariff program at
first the revision OF the iron and steel
schedule. He attacked Mr.. Under
wood on this ground, but the latter
received an overwhelming vote OF con-
fidence when the matter was made an
issue in the house. During the contro-
versy the ways and means committee
was at work on an iron and steel re-
vision plan. but 1t remained for the
senate to act on this schedule. With
the acquiescence of house leaders the
senate attached an iron and steel
schedule to the cotton bill.
The house concurred In this amend
ment.
When the special session convened
on April the house was organized by
the Democratic ways and means COM
mittee, and this body made the COM
mittee assignments. The new system
eliminated what was known for many
years as the czardom Of the speaker.
IL ~ hn
alterations of the Democratic caucus
and framed the legislative program of
the session.
In the senate, with many of the old
leaders missing. a remarkable alliance
was formed between the Democrats
and insurgent Republicans. led by La
Toilette, Cummins and Bristow. After
the FIRST few weeks Of the session 1t
worked tremendously until the closing
week, when occurred one Of the most
spectacular legislative upsets In many
years. The severance Of the coalition
came on consideration Of the cotton
BILL When Senator Cummins with
drew an amendment to attach iron
and steel revision to the cotton bill
the Democrats seized on 1t as their
own and were able to pass 1t when
regular Republicans refrained from
voting or absented themselves from
the chamber.
One of the gratifying features OF
the session is that partisanship has
been little In evidence. On Canadian
reciprocity the Democrats supported
almost to man, and on the tariff
revision bills the progressive Repub-
Leans aud Democrats worked togeth-
er. While the list of laws passed was
not long, the extra session laid the
groundwork for important work in the
regular session.
Yet. while there was little partisan
politics of the old variety in the ses-
sion, there was presidential politics in
almost every move made. Engaged
in this game were three groups, the
Democrats, the progressive Repub-
licans and the administration. 1t Is
too early yet to foretell which one of
these elements had the best OF 1t.
That win not be entirely clear until
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