The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1912-07-16
ARMY AND NAVY LEGISLATION.
That and the Rattieship Problem Re-
Would Welcome a. Prolonged Fight
With the House of Representatives
Over the Appropriation Bill.
BY ARTHUR w. DUNN.

portant part Of the presidential cam
paign That the Democrats have been
preparing for that issue has been
known for a long time. but it Is evil
dent now that the Republicans must
make protection the slogan in order to
save the day.
From this time forward it will be a
question whether the protective tariff
ocratic policy of tariff for revenue
only shall be invoked The Republic
ans must reduce the tariff If they are
to be successful. but the Democrats
must make reductions which will re-
duce the cost of living to win the COM
ing election.
Progressive Claims.
OF course an effort will be made to
bring forward progressive issues In
order to emphasize the differences be
tween President Taft and Governor
Wilson. No doubt Mr. Roosevelt will
also make that the slogan of his cam
paign, but the Republicans. sure of the
conservative votes, or most of them.
will make the fight for protection
They may be unable to keep the issue
along those lines. but in view of the
fact that the present Democratic house
has laid the foundation for a campaign
on the tariff and the Republicans are
willing to accept the issue It is hard
to see how another campaign upon
that issue can be avoided In spite of
the progressiveness that fills the air.
Army and Navy.
Coming back to congress the Demo
Gratis find that the army and navy are
matters of legislation which require
a great deal of attention. President
Taft vetoed the army appropriation
bill because he did not like the iegis-
lation which 1t contained He has
got the better of Chairman Hay, who
is responsible for most of the legisla-
ton. because Mr.. Hay cannot muster
two-t thirds of either house to pass the
bill over the presidents Veto II there
Is to be an army appropriation bill it
must to some extent conform to the
wishes of the president.
Then the battleship problem con-
fronts the Democrats. Unless all signs
fail the Democratic platform means at
least one battleship. and the house
will have to grant It
Happy House Members.
There were number Of happy house
members as result of the convention
at Baltimore, despite the fact that a
vote of confidence was bestowed upon
Speaker Clark. A. Mitchell Palmer of
Pennsylvania, Billy Hughes of New
Jersey, Albert Burieson and Bob Hen
ry Of Texas, John Whitacre Of Ohio,
Henry Rainey of Illinois. Judge Bartlett
of Georgia and number of others,
were particularly well pleased with
the selection of Governor Wilson
They like Champ Clark well enough
for speaker, but they wanted another
man for president
Hoke Smith vindicated.
Senator Hoke Smith of Georgia was
one of the strongest supporters Of Gov
ernor Wilson, but Underwood carried
the state and tied up the delegation so
hard and tight that 1t could not get
away until he released 1t. The Georgia
men FASTENED to swell Governor VIII
sons vote when they were free. but
they We're rather late It was rather
pleasing to Hoke Smith to see them
going with the tide after being tied"
as one man remarked.
Taft Ready TO Fight.
There is nothing that President Taft
would welcome more than a prolonged
light with the house of representatives
over the differences In the appropria-
ton bills. He thinks that the country
will stand by film In the vetoes he has
made and those which he will make Ii
certain legislation is passed up to him
IN the appropriation bills He would
Ike to have these made issues in the
campaign as exhibits Of his backbone.
Cause For Speculation.
How long has 1t been since either
party took man from either house for
Its presidential candidate? 1t has been
so long ago that it seems to be fatal
for man in congress to be candidate
for the high office 1t must be that
congressional career does not appeal to
the men who make presidents.
Going backward. Taft. Roosevelt.
Mckinley, Harrison and Blaine were
not In congress when named for presi-
dent General Garfield was a member
of the house and had six years ahead
of him in the senate when nominated.
Harrison served In the senate and Nc
kinley in the house. but were out of
those places when named for presi.
dent
Wilson. Bryan. Parker and Cleveland
and before them Hancock and Cleve-
and We're not in congress when named