East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1912-03-02

generally anticipated. They have
dealt with various measures brought
up for discussion in way to give
entire satisfaction to the country at
large. and have gone about their du-
ties in conscientious and statesman
like manner. They have surprised
their republican colleagues by their
manner of taking hold of the control
Of legislation.
Their decision to reduce the duties
on a long list of necessaries of life,
and the plan to revise the tariff
schedules, particularly those relating
to wool and cotton. which will un-
doubtedly be carried out, will I'M
questionably have the approval of the
voters of the country at large.
From the way that things are go
ing now in the halls of congress It Is
the general opinion that the den-
ocrats are going to do exactly what
they said they would do at election
time, and those things that the pub
I'c demands Consequently in the
campaign of 1912 the independent
voters will not forget the activities
or the democrats along these lines
when the democratic candidate is put
up for election to succeed Mr.. Taft
in the white house.
Naturally the question has risen
and has been much discussed: What
are the republicans doing to win the
popularity OF the people and to coun-
te, act the prestige that the demo-
Gratis are obtaining by their policies:
Nothing. This is the general opin-
| ion in Washington,
AS far as the situation looks today
| the republicans in the house and
arc doing anything adequate to meet
the conditions. On the other hand,
they have been accused of following
an cbstructionist policy. especially in
| the house, but owing to a democratic
| majority their efforts are unavailing.
II. the senate, where the regular re-
| publicans hold the balance of power
there Is no disposition on the part OF
TIE republican senators to yield any
thing in tariff reduction that is not
| compulsory. This is shown conclu-
siveIy by the determination of the
"Regulars'' in the senate to insist on
keeping control of the finance COM
mittee, and to bring in high tariff
measure, protecting the ideas ad'
vanced by Senator Aldrich and othel
high protectionists. On campaign
publicity. on direct election of sena.
tors and other questions apart from
the tariff, the regular republican
leaders are pursuing and will contin.
ue to pursue a course of obstruction
and delay. 1t has been stated bJ
some Of the republicans that the
party is playing right into the hand:
of the democratic leaders by pursu-
ing these tactics.
To make matters worse for the re-
publican leaders, former Speaker
Cannon is causing a rumpus. "Uncle
Joe" has been criticising the work OF
the house and seeking to justify his
own course while speaker. Some OF
his colleagues do not like this.
The house republican progressives
are also worried over the outlook
They admit that they are in danger
of being lost sight of and their only
remedy Is to adopt progressive
| course.
In view of the manner in which
! the democrats have started their
campaign of redemption and rehab-
iliation, indications are now that they
will sweep the country in 1912. This
is the gloomy view held by large
following in the republican ranks
Even the prediction in republican
circles that President Taft's re-elec-
tion is doubtful has gathered weight
to an almost unbelievable degree. II
is not difficult to see that an OBJ
struction program on the part of the
republican leaders in congress will
have but one effect-to help the
democrats.
Consequently democrats in the
house are jubilant over the situation
and regard the presidential campaign
as easy sailing for them.