The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1912-08-07

congress ~uObpOWofS WLHcuscouiu hoo w
exercised under the constitution. His pos;
ton was the position Of the great majori-
ty of Democrats In Congress and 1887 Of
them had voted for the bill providing fof
direct election of Senators with the Bris,
tow amendmendment, realizing that this
was the only shape In which the measure
could become al law. Furthermore, said
Mr.. Aiken, the Legislature of..South Caro-
lima had instructeds.the States delegation
in Congress the support the bill.
Mr.. Aiken stressed the point that the
direct election OF senators was the only
effective method otlridding the senate Of
men who served the corporate interests
with whom they were affiliated rather than
the interests of the people whom they
should serve. He said that while, South
Carolina was fortunate In this respect and
might not feel as; keenly as some other
States the need Of this measure, many
Northern and Western States could in nc
other way rid themselves Of senators who
were subservient to the interests.
Mr.. Aiken said reports had been pub
lished in the districts that he had abused
the "leave to print" courtesy extended to
members7of Congress, by incorporating
in The Congressional Record speeches
which he had neBr delivered on the floor
Of the ihouss. Hb characterized this as
false, saying that the only instance as far
as he couldl recall in which he had ever
printed in The Record any matter not
original was when he had inserted e1.
tracts from the letters OF the late. Zaek
McGhee, native OF Abbeviile county,
written from Europe and dealing with the
tariff question. These letters had been in
corporated in the Democratic handbook
and had proved OF great benefit to the
party IN the last election. -,
Mr.. Aiken referred to the fact that he
surrendered the craftsmanship Of one OF
the most important committees OF the
House to aid a fellow Democrat in his
race for the governorship OF Kentucky
He said he had cast no vote in Congress OF
which he was ashamed and none which he
hadIfound it necessary to explain. Every
vote OF his could be squared by Democrat.
ic policies and platform pronouncements.
He referred to the work which he had ac-
complished for the district in securing
Federal buildings and the establishment
OF rural routes and told OF his successful
efforts to secure::the aid Of the Federal
government In: fighting the army worm In
Anderson, using his wn.private means to
partly defray the expenses Of an expert.
Mr.. Aiken told of a letter received from
Josephus Daniels, Democratic national
committeeman from North Carolina, tell
ing him that the party intended making
use Of some Of his tariff speeches in the
coming campaign, distributing millions Of
copies Of these speeches throughout the
North. He told Of his vote for the sup
preston Of gambling In futures, though
ance Of the present system, saying that
he but followed the dictates OF his con-
science, which he intended to do hereaf-
ter, refusing to wear the collar ofIany man.
Mr.. Aiken was listened to with close at
tention, and was accorded an ovation upon
the conclusion Of his address, which was a
splendid exposition Of his views and q
complete account Of his stewardship.
Capt. F. 8. Evans, the last speaker, said
he had speut two years Of his life In Alb
bevllle very pleasantly. He spoke Of his
friendship rr Congressman Aiken and
said he hor 1 their relationsIwould remain
pleasant. He devoted considerable time
to the reading OF correspondence which
passed between Mr.. Long, Mr.. Aiken and
himself with regard to arranging dates
for speaking at mill villages in the dis
trict.
Capt. Evans attacked Oscar Underwood,
floor leader OF the Democrats in the ma
tional Congress, charging that he was the
paid attorney Of the great steel trust at
Birmingham, Ala.
The speaker was opposed to the bill
providing for the direct election Of sena-
tors with the Bristow amendment, be-
lieving il would take the supervision OF
the elections out OF the hands of the State
governments and place it in the hands OF
the Federal authorities. He claims that
under the Bristow amendment the quail
fication Of electors would be passed upon
by boardss appointed by the national gov
ernment. South Carolina practically en-
joyed the privilege Of direct election OF
senators under her primary plan, and did
not need this legislation.
Capt. Evans made the charge that many
Of the Northern Democrats in congress
were controlled by the trusts. Later, In a
coloquy with Mr.. Aiken, he stated that he
did not say. many, but that some Of the
Democrats were identified with the trust
interests.
Capt. Evans was opposed to the parcels
post, holding that it would prove Of great
est benefit to the great mail order houses