Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1912-01-16

QlmlulSQs S6u6tOI ASAyOA - sAAO
type Of man that appeals to those
who are looking for the best men In
public life. He is earnest. torceful.
sincere, q man Of the highest ideals.
deepest convictions and the strictest
integrity. It is worth while to hear
such a man. It As worth while =
honor such men.
DEMOCRATS AND PUBLICITY.
BY vote Of 113 to twenty-sevea
caucus OF the house democrats
turned down the Bryan plan for hav-
ing all caucuses held with open
doors, with reporters, stenographeD
and curious republicans cordially in
vited to attend. Instead new rules
were adopted by which q record vote
may be taken on any proposition Oh
demand Of one-ffth Of those present
and journal must be kept for pub
! LEGATION. !
In view Of the passionate devotion
with which the democrats have adj
vocated the widest possible public
ity in nearly every other direction.
lit probably would be fair play a.
well as good politics to criticise the
house leadership for having failed
to acquiesce In Mr.. Bryan's Attest
grandstand play. This newspaper 70
going to resist the temptation. In
stead 1t doesn't mind expressing the
opinion that the house democrats
have done the sensible thing in pro-
viding some degree Of privacy for
their caucus discussions.
Under the present democratic
plan Of management in Washington
all questions Of legislative policy
are submitted to party caucus for
determination. The fact that eau
Gus is required carries its own I'M
terence that differences Of opinion
exist within the party as to the
proper solution. The caucus is .
family gathering at which every
member OF the family is entitled to
speak plainly what is in his mind
After every one has spoken freely
and all the arguments have been
weighed the caucus as whole de-
cides the question. and after that ev-
cry member is bound by the major
ity vote. 1t goes without saying
that the thrashing out of a question
upon which there Is close division
must be attended by heated debate
in which things will be said. parttc-
ularly on the losing side. that Will
not make good advertising for the
party after the line of party policy
has been determined. II 1t is known
that every word uttered and move
made in a party caucus will be re-
psrted accurately and exploited BY
party enemies the fact is likely to
operate as a muzzle and defeat the
very purpose OF the caucus. which -
to get free expression Of every In
dividual opinion.-Sioux City Journ-
d Z
Ial.
The Sioux City paper proceeds uD-
on the theory that the interests Of
the party transcends the interests
of the people. If 1t Is family gath
ering, Why should not the head OF
the family--the old man who pays
the bills and sends the boys down
to Washington-be taken Into the
confidence OF the discussion? More
over, why should the caucus have
power to coerce the action Of ep-
resentatives of the people upon
questions where vital principles ars
at stake? The Freeman-Tribune be-
lieves In the widest possible public
ity OF the acts Of all officials-from
members OF congress to the members
Of city councils. Congress belongs
to the people and the people have .
right to know what is going on.
when It is going on and why II -
going on. OF course there are times
when foreign relations are under
consideration or when some domes-
tic interest is being discussed that
publicity would defeat the cause Oh
justice and block movements for the
public welfare. But as general
proposition all proceedings OF con-
gress and of congressmen--when
acting in their official capacity
should be open and above board. The
fact that caucus publicity would In
jure the party Is proof positive that
the party ought to be injured. Let
us get away from the Idea that
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