The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1912-03-29

Washington, Feb. 21.-William l..
LaFollette, Representative of the
Third District of Washington in Con-
gress, issued the following announce
ment to-day of his candidacy for re-
nomination
"In announcing my candidacy to
succeed myself as Representative
from the Third District of Washing
ton in the Sixty-third Congress, have
tried to sum up as briefly as possible
in the foregoing paragraphs my posi-
ton on the most vital questions.
'In submitting my candidacy to the
voters of the District, | am fortunate
in having back of me a record on
many of these questions. The voters
are not asked to take promises.
Promises mean little, and l will as
sumo in entering this contest that the
people of my District only wish to
assure themselves that l have kept
the pledges on which they elected me.
81 have refused to enter party eau
cuses, and am opposed to such meth
DDS both in Congress and at home.
The use of the caucus in selecting
candidates in my District is even
more reprehensible than it is in Con-
gress, because the State of Washing
ton has a primary law which is pre-
sumed to abolish convention and eau
Gus methods. In keeping my pledge
to my constituency, | have found it
necessary to vote for several meas
ures of Democratic origin. and for my
course in these matters | make no
apology. l am convinced that the
people of my District are more con-
cerned in what is accomplished than
in the method of accomplishment.
Before the present session of Con-
gress is closed, If the leaders of the
Republican party refuse to listen to
the demands of the country for pro-
per revision of the tariff, and amend
ment of laws relating to the judi
ciary, and the safeguarding of labor,
will again find it necessary to vote
with the side that will heed these
popular wishes
"As to the Commerce Court, have
introduced a bill for its adjustment.
"a bill to amend the Interstate Com
MERGE Act and prohibit a greater
charge for short than for a long
haul, has been introduced by me and
l shall labor for its passage.
81 have cast my vote in favor of d.
rect election of United States Sena-
tors, as have for the Initiative, Refer
endum and Recall. Nothing will so
promptly end the abuse of the in
junction privilege by Federal Judges
as a constitutional provision abolish
ing their present life tenure. In this
connection arises the misuse of the
Sherman Antitrust Act to hamstring
the cause of organized labor. While
il is clear that this Act was never in
tended to have this effect, it has been
used to browbeat labor and confiscate
the homes, in some instances, of work
| ingmen who dared raise their pro-
test against tyrannical employers.
1.-THE proposal of liberal Parcels
Post has my hearty support without
equivocation. A careful study of the
question convinces me that the local
retailer has no need for alarm, and
shat he can continue business at a
fair profit without the shield of the
pEesent exorbitant rates which eX-
press companies compel the people to
pay.
This much said in outlining my at
| titude, it now rests with my opponents
| in this contest to point out wherein
have failed to keep faith with the
| people who elected me, and to show
/ why one of their number should be
chosen to succeed me. Each one OF
these candidates has my record be-
fore him. ana his duty is clear"