Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1912-08-04
NATIONAL LAWMAKERS
 WASiISG S0ILED LINEN
SINCE THE BIG CONVENTION OR. DlNARY LAUNDRYS HAVE
 BEEN PUT SHAME.
Old Timers Beail Their Fate of Having TO Fight Friends Before
 Their Enemies.
(By Roderick Clifford.)


 Washington, Aug. 3.-There aIe many things Congress does we'll. But far and above anything else the great l lawmakers of four nation do, is the public washing of soiled linen Ever since the conventions at Chicago and Baltimore, there has been such wash ing as would gut the largest laundry in the country 70 shame.
 Republicans lead. This doesn't im- ply that Democi ats are really back
 ward. They have been criticising each other on various questions of policy. But it remains for the G. O. P. to haul forth the Chicago conven- tion and make it prance, shivering
 nd soanlily clothed, before tl,
 ed eyes of fellow members
 In spite of the best efforts of diplo- mats and politicians theie remains in the Republican party bitter feel ing over the "libel' of President Taft or the "knifing' of Theodore Roose- welt take youE choice' during the Chicago sessions.
 The most recent outbreaks occurred when Representatives Mondell told line Republican, of Wyoming and Nor. is Progressive Republican, of Nebraska clashed over the question lightly commented on the Roosevelt pl ogressive policy as piracy" and as serted all Roosevelt trump conven- tionss' were rio S. He had a few un- kind remarks to make concerning men who would publicly defend such outrageous proceedings as there"- by whom he meant Mir. Norris. He pointed out, with tears in his eyes, that the Roosevelt 'pirates" had de- liberately trumped up cases in order that they might make showing dur ing the early days of the pre-con- vention campaign. To all of this Mr. Nor is replied in kind, indicating that that old Tarquinus Superbus in his best days never had thing on the Taft crowd in the matter of naughty oppression.
 The Democra at this moment laughed heartilly. They egged their opponents on. And well they might, for the Southern contingent on the Democratic side has been publicly de- nouncing the Northern and Western representatives for their obstinate re- fusal 70 consider the immigration bill. This has caused the Democrats a de- cided need of diversion Most people know that Governor Woodrow Wilson and some of the Democratic immigta- ton experts of the House have ex- pressed widely divergent opinions on the matter of immigration reStric- tions
 The most touching part of the whole affair is that nobody seems to know just where he stands. Take Mondells speech for instance He had just finished marching up and down the prostlat form of the Pro- gressive, or Bull Moose,' party and had created feeling of assurance in the minds of the Democrats when, without warning, he bounded into the aid and landed plump into the camp of the enemy.
 Speaker Champ Clark" he shouted, was deliberately robbed of the nom- ination at Baltimore after he had a clear majority of the delegates. Yet the Missourians, though they had fair right to charge treachery. did not attempt to organize a new party"
 This caused the Democrats who sup ported Champ Clark to shuttle ner- vously. There wasn't anything they could we'll reply without taking sides either with Clark or Wilson and that might spoil the appearance of har- mony which they at present preserve.
 Old timers in Congress will tell you sadly that there days are suffi- eiert to try ones very soul. They point out that only q short time ago the Republican party at campaign time spent it's waking hours in ham, meling the unterrified Democracy, which replied in kind. No Democrat ever thought of getting up and criti- cising the cowardice of his colleagues in refusing to consider bill simply because the presidential nominee hap 3ened to be a bit weak on the sub- lect. No Republican Congressman believed in throwing rocks at the heads of his erstwhile beloved chief. It was plain, clean cut fight with tbe enemy in front and every friend joined ill the attack.
 Nowadays, the old timers aver one doesn't dare to reach out and rap a political opponent. Just as one has the club decently arranged and is to swat him one of lis own party will sneak up behind and spoil everything.
 No wonder then that the old-timers bewail the fate that prevents them