The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-08-31
What DEMOCRATS HAVE DONE
UNDERWOOD'S VIEWS OF SEES
SION'S ACCOMPLISHMENT
Majority Leader Talks of Work OF His
Party I'm Framing Legislation for
Benefit of the People.

man ChderWOOd, leader of the Dem
ocrats in the house, was asked to give
an outline of what his party here had
accomplished since the session began
last December. Mr.. Underwood said
that although the country was we'll
posted on the dOings of congress from
day to day there were a few strong
points which he desired to empha
size.
The thorough and business like
way, he said, lin which legislation
has been effected during this congress
and the manner in which all the
Democratic campaign promises of
1910 have been kept, mark a real ep-
och in the legislative history of the
| country. The people had become
| aroused by the hampering influences
on legislation which had resulted
through the automatic practices un-
| der 'Cannonism.' The rules of the
mouse We're promptly liberalized when
the Democrats took charge at the
beginning Of this congress by a rad
ical change made in the appointments
OF the committees Of the house.
The ways and means committee was
designated the committee to nominate
| to the house other committees. thus
taking out Of the speakers hands a
function which has lodged with every
speaker Of the house since the Sec
| ond congress. The Democratic mem
bership has worked with marked cell
Gritty and effectiveness, its legislative
| results have aroused universal inter-
| est, and all Of the 1910 campaign
promises Of the party have been full
filed.
This Democratic congress has Of
! Iered reforms on a score Of issues
of which the following are some of
the most important which, have pass
ed the house:
1T has revived and nberalized. the
rules Of the house so sss to give the
| representatives Of the people freedom
| of speech and Of action.
1T has authorized and directed in
vestigatiOns Of certain executive de-
partm ents Of the government and Of
! certain industrial combinations, in
Guiding the United States Steel Cor
pOrauon the American Sugar Refining
| company, the shipping trusts. beef
trust and the money tr-lst
1T has enacted a law providing
for the publication of campaign ex-
penses before and after election, and
fixed limit on the election expenses
for senators and representatives.
1T has proposed an amendment to
the constitution providing for the
popular election of Unita1 States sem
ators.
1T has admitted New Mexico and
Arizona to statehood
1T has enacted law to prevent.
the abuse Of the writ of injunction.
1T has passed hill establishing
an eight-hour. day for workmem on
all national public works.
1T has passed a resolution which
forced the president to take imme-
date steps to ahrOgnte the Russian
treaty in vindication of American.
citizenship.
1T has passed a bill to provide. ag-
ricultural eXtension departments in
connection with agricultural colleges
in the several States.
1T has passed, bill providing, for
stricter laws. anif, regulations to. pro-
mote the Safely Of passengers and
crew at sea.
1T has passed a law prohibiting
the manufacture Of and trade in
poisonous wltite phosphorus matches
1T has enacted a law establishing
a childrens' bureau. charged with
| ity, the birth rate, orphanage. dis
eases of children. ETC.
1T has, passed A bill creating a de-
| partmebE of labor, making its head
member Of the presidents cabinet.
1T has made an excellent record
| in it's, endeaVOrS to revise the tariff
| downward to q revenue basis. having
| passed measures thus affecting the
schedules of most vital moment to
the people, namely: wool, cotton, met
al. chemical, sugar. and in the farm
ers free list bill placed necessary
food products on the free list.
1t has PASSED Il bill providing for
1n excise tax on incomes thereoy