The Newport miner. [volume] (Newport, Wash.) 1899-current, 1912-01-18
NEWS FROM OUR
NATIONAL CAPITAL
insurgents Defeated in Fight
Over Appointment of Com
mi.tee Member.


ment of successor to the late E. H.
Madison on the committee on rules,
the committee which controls the leg
islative proceedings. 1t precipitated
the first conflict of the session be
tween the Insurgent and Regular Re-
publicans. The Insurgents went down
to defeat and the Regulars with the
aid of Democratic votes succeeded in
electing Philip B. Campbell of Kansas
over Victor Murdoch. A resolution
to place Warburton, another insur-
gent, on the sugar trust committee
was lost by large vote
Small River and Harbor Bill Likely
Oscar Underwood, floor leader of
the ways and means committee, is
not at all sure that river and harbor
legislation will be undertaken at this
session. He predicates his doubt on
the fact that there is an estimated de-
felt in the treasury for this fiscal
year of $4,000, OO0-and on the recent
legislation affecting pensions. He
frankly says that if the Sherwood BILL
as passed by the house, is permitted
to stand, it would SO cripple the treas
ury that no new projects or expendi-
lures could be authorized, leaving pub
lie buildings and rivers and harbors
to another session, except for projects
already under continuing contracts.
Political information Sought
Seeking information regarding the
political situation seems to be the
chief occupation of most men in
Washington at this time. 1t it almost
certain that man going through the
capitol these days will be asked by
nine out of every ten men he meets
as to the political conditions and to
give his guess as to whom both part
les will nominate.
The Democratic situation is cha
otto and there never was time when
there was so much uncertainty as to
who will be the standard bearer, but
it seems rather strange that there
should be any inquiry regarding the
Republican candidate in view of the
certainty among most men a few
weeks ago that Taft would be renom-
mated. 1t shows what change has
been created by the fact that Roose-
welt will do nothing to prevent his
effort to nominate him. That is what
has upset all calculations regarding
the Republican situation.
Presidents Messages Numerous
In the messages President Taft has
sent to this session of congress to
date he has laid before that branch of
the government nearly so separate re-
concentrations for legislation. These
cover items scattered throughout the
whole field of executive endeavor, and
the end Is not yet. In adopting this
system the president has not only
but the convenience of congress also,
and he has succeeded in centering the
attention of the country upon one sub
ject at a time. Furthermore, those
who read the messages of President
Taft with an eye to political develop
ments in the near future will find in
each measure a general discussion of
the fundamental principles involved,
which will be handy in the heat of the
coming presidential campaign. These
messages will be frequently compared,
not only with the recent speeches oft
Senator Robert M. La Toilette of Wis
consin, but also with the public utter
ances of Democratic candidates.
National Capitol Brevities
Vice President Sherman expects to
see the present session of congress
extend beyond the national conven-
tons.
Secretary of War Stimson strongly
urges the passage of bill to supply
discarded army Krag-Jorgensen rifles
and ammunition to schools and rifle
clubs.
In the opinion of Senator Borah,
congress will pass bill in some form
giving the people an opportunity to
vote on the direct election of United
States senators.
Senator Lorimer appeared before
the senate as a witness in his own
behalf. He emphatically denied that
he ever paid cent to anybody to
further his election.
Militia of Oregon, Washington and
idaho will unite with the regular army
in maneuvers at some point on Puget
Sound, If bill appropriating $3.50,
900 for that purpose passes congress.
In message to congress, President
Taft announced that this government
would refuse to admit free wood pulp
and paper from any government other
than Canada until the courts had