The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1912-05-10
CONGRESS HAS
DONE NOTHING
ALTHOUGH THE NATIONAL CON
MENTIONS ARE DRAWING NEAR
LAWMAKERS ARE INACTIVE.
TARIFF ACTION NECESSARY
Both Parties Fear to Face the eoun
try Without Action on the
Tariff.

dTllIs
Washington.--On the legislative cal
endar which, for partisan and polltl-
cal reasons, might be marked must
are the following matters of legisla-
ton
The Lorimer case.
Popular election of senators reso-
luton.
Tariff bills, metals, wool, chemicals
sugar excise tax,
Panama canal legislation.
Postoffice appropriation bill, includ-
ing provision for a limited parcels
post and for government aid to good
roads.
Other appropriation bills.
Naval appropriation bill involving
policy of national defense and no-bat'
tleship economy program of house
The best judgment of senators on
the time needed to dispose OF these
important matters indicates a session
lasting all summer.
With but six weeks remaining be-
fore the Republican national conyen'
ton meets, the senate has practically
all the important bills of the session
yet before it and undisposed of.
None of the tariff bills have been
passed by the senate, nor even con-
sidered, except for the opening speech
of Senator Simmons of North Carolina
on the metal schedule.
In addition to the steel, WOOL chem
icalsfi sugar and excise, or income
tax, bills, all the big appropriation
bills are yet to be disposed of at this
session. Democrats and Insurgent Re-
publicans will demand that votes be
had on all the tariff bills, and nobody
imagines for a moment that the sen
ate is going to vote on such import
ant measures until there has been am
pie discussion and opportunity has
been afforded to explain personal and
party viewpoints and to get into the
| Congressional Record as much cam
paign thunder as can be put out that
way.
Senator Bacon announces that the
| Democrats will insist upon a vote be-
ing taken on every one OF the bills
sent over by the house, regardless
of how long it protracts the present
session.
Senator John Sharp Williams OF
Mississippi expressed the view that
an adjournment could be had by Au'
gust |. Senator Cummins of Iowa
and Senator PoindeXter of Washing
ton, leading Progressive Republicans
are equally insistent that action must
be had at this time on the tariff. Both
sides are afraid to go before the coun
trv next November without being able
TO make a showing in the way of tarltl
legislation enacted. The attitude oil
the regular Republicans is that of op
position and inertia They want tc
adjourn, but will be willing to permit
the tariff bills to come to vote, con
fdent that President Taft will again
veto these measures, if passed
Legislation providing for the open
ing and operation Of the Panama ca
!. nal must be passed at the earliest
date practicable, or there will be de
moralization on the Canal Zone anC
serious delay in the opening o. the
big ditch. Colonel Goethals is press
ing for action which will permit hin
, to get ready for the opening and welC
his construction force into a trained
force for operation.
Then the Lorimer case is yet pend
ing. Opponents of Mr.. Lorlmer vii
demand an opportunity to be heart
and to have vote taken before con
gress adiourns. This will also be
made an issue in this years nationa
|. campaign.
The naval appropriation bill viii
cause protracted debate, as will thu
postoffice appropriation bill, whicl
contains the parcels post and goot
roads items.
In view of the present state Of leg
islation, and the necessity of acting
on the tariff and other measures be
fore the November elections congress
| NAV be in session all summer.