The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-14

promises on which the democrats won | this election were:
 T. To revise and liberalize the rules of the House.
 '2. To pass a bill providing for the pub | lication of campaign expenses preceding electione.
 "s To admit New Mexico and Arizona to statehood.
 A. To pass resolution submitting a constitutional amendment for the popular election of United States senators.
 '5. To economize in national expendi- lures.
 e. To revise the tariff downward to a revenue basis
 The thorough and businesslike way in which all these promises have been kept mark real epoch in the legislative his- tory of this country. The rules of the House were iiberalized by the democrats by a radical change in the manner of ap- pointing committees and the liberal way In which all important bills are considered in the House and at all times open to de- bate and amendment. The ways and means committee was designated the committee on committees. thus vestng in it a right which had been lodged in every speaker of the House from the Second to the 5ixty-frst Congress. The new and democratic change in the rules of the House has operated during the first and second session of this Congress. and the democratic majority has worked with remarkable celerity, absolute fairness and direct effectiveness during both sessions.
 So true is this. as measured by legis- lative results, that all of the election promises of our party that have referred to have already been fulfilled. The House rules have been liberalized; the bill compelling the publication of can- paign expenses has been passed the consti- ft,fi fi<,f,, fot. fha popular election of United States senators has been passed by the House; distinct progress has been made in the economical handling of the great national supply bills, and a splendid record has been made in the revision of the tariff down. ward to a revenue basis
 Mr. Underwood then sketches in some detail the various tariff schedules and shows with his. characteristic cloarness the benefits which would accrue to con sumers by lower duties. He also dis cusses convincingly his tax reforms.
 Mr. Underwoods interview concludes as follows:
 Our opponents have abandoned the great economic issues that are con- fronting the country and are engaged in an internecine war over the question as to whether or not the fundamental principles of our government should survive, and some of the leading men among them cast aside the question of an honest revision of the tariff down. ward. economy of administration of governmental affairs, the honest admin istration of the election laws of the country as mere incidents and unwor- thy even of discussion in the present campaign.
 You ask me why the democratic party should be returned to power. I say to you that we are entitled to the confidence of the American people because we have kept our pledges; because we have dem onstrated that we can ana will revise the tariff taxes downward to a revenue basis in the interest of the consumer; that we will economically administer the affairs of the national government; that we will stand for and uphold the constitution of the United States; that the democratic party Is and will be progressive so long as that progress can be made within the terms of the constitution of the United States and not in violation of the consti- tutional rights that guarantee to one and all protection of life. liberty and prop erty.'