Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1912-02-08
DEMOCRATS APPLY
THE STEAM ROLLER
Our Special Correspondent at Washington
Writes Of the Manner in Which
Legislation is Being Made.

Washington, d. c., Feb. 14:-It is
now quite apparent that the methods
used by the Democratic Majority to
jam through Congress the bill on Metals
Schedule, and their unwillingness to act
upon the report of the Tariff Board;
will be used against that party in the
coming Presidential campaign.
A turbulent and exciting session
ensued when the Bill was reported and
came before the House. Little oppor-
tunity was given for debate and all
attempts at amendments were rejected.
In vain did the Republicans beg for
time in which to consider and discuss
the report on the Bill. The Previous
question, which shuts off all debate,
was moved by Mr.. Underwood, the
Democratic leader, when ever the dis
cussion got uncomfortable for that side
on any paragraph and the motion was
carried with whoop of the majority.
Even amendments to the free list pro-
viding in effect that countries which re-
fuse to this nation the same privileges
on the same kinds of goods should not
be entitled to its benefits, were solidly
voted down by the Democratic Majority;
and amendments designed to prevent
the manufacture of parts of machines
abroad, instead of in this country; where
under this bill only the work of putting
together the parts could be done; were
also summarily rejected. .~~->-f
Getting tired of being tainted by the
Republicans, to the effect that the
Democrats were afraid to take up the
wool bill, now that the facts were be-
fore the House in the report of the
Tariff Board, Underwood applied the
Steam Roller" with an effectiveness
never before equalled and the Bill was
passed amid loud protests against
Gag Rule" by the Republicans, few
Democrats, who had been hit hard by
the provisions of the bill. voting with
the Republicans.
The harmony so much talked about
as prevailing on the Democratic side
is fast disappearing and there are signs
OF revolt against the rule of the Caucus,
The ire of many Democrats was stirred
by refusal of the majority to permit
any public buildings billsAto be intro
duced, the object, of course, being to
make show of economy by stopping
work in this direction.
Now that the report of the Tariff
Board on the Wool Schedule has been
made and the Presidents message, re-
commencing reduction, of the duties
in accordance Herewith, is before the
House, the Democrats seem to be afraid
to introduce Wool Bill. They cannot
get away from the report of the Tariff
Board which exposes the fallacies of
their former bill, and if they present a
bill in accordance with the report it
would become law. 1t was easy for
them to unite in bill which they knew
would not become law but when the
opportunity is afforded for effective
legislation, harmony does not prevail in
their ranks.
In this situation it will be seen that
their boasts of a desire to relieve the
burden of taxation upon the people,"
have been merely shallow pretense.
The report of the Tariff Board on the
Cotton Schedule will soon be presented
to the House but it is understood that
the Democrats will dodge it by Offering
bill on Sugar. Meanwhile the major
ity are at loss as to how to proceed
and the time of the House is being
frittered away on the District of Colum-
bia matters which ought long since ton
have been disposed of.