The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-09-22
REPUBLICANS WILL
GO A CUNNING FOR
OSCAR UNDERWOOD
They Declare Floor Leader
Is Blocking Progressive
Legislation
CHARGE CANNONISM
AGAINST DEMOCRAT ).
Mann Says Caucus Must Be
Destroyed If People Are
to Get What They
Want in Laws

WASHINGTON. Sept 2i.-The Re-
publican congressional committee Is
going cunning for Oscar Underwood
Democratic leader Of the house OF
representatives, 1t is TO be a war on
the rules OF the house adopted by the
Democratic caucus which is controlled
hy a small coterie Of leading Demo-
Gratis, headed ny Underwood.
The first gun 10 to be fred during
the coming presidential campaign
when an tissue will be made against
what its opponents call the Under
wood oiigarchy, 1t is declared by
Republicans. Representative Mann.
minority leader. voicing the battle
cry, that this regime Is just as Oh
jectionable as was the old Cannon
machine and that IT must be destroy
ed II the public is to get what it
wants IN the way Of legislation.
Republican speIIbinders viii point
ent system in the house of represen-
tatlves everything is absolutely dom
mated by dnader Underwood and
a small group around him. 1t Will
be charged that reactionary Demo
Gratis from the South, plus reaction
AIRY Democrats from New York, are
managing things and that the result
is that the country Is denied progress
sive legislation. The new system that
has grown up in the house, 1t will
be pointed out, 10 like the old Aldrich
system in the senate. II is not the
rule OF single individual, as in the
days Of the old CA risn Of Cannon.
but II In the rule Of the small, but
powerful band Of leaders who by
means Of the caucs system yoke up
the progressive Democrats and then
compel them to vote to carry through
any measure, on which the caucus
may settle. N1
Republicans Much Exercised
In tho closing days OF the last ses-
sion of congress many of the pro-
gressive Democrats grew extremely
FESTIVE under the iron rule of the
| CAUCUS system while the house RE
| pblicans became much exercised over
II. Now the country will be appealed
! to elect to the house strong and pro-
gressive men who stand for princi-
pie. This plea made by the Repub-
! lican campaign management, of
course. will be offered especially in
those districts where Republican pro-
gr essive= are threatened with defeat
! by the Democrats
4 wi, ~
| Iowa. who Ia "A member of the exc
cutive committee of the Republican
| congressional committee. sounded the
| war-cry against the continued rule OF
| the house Democratic caucus and the
| Underwood oligarchy"
The Democrats chose to reor-
ganize the house along the lines OF
! the old Atdrtch ollgarchy In the SEN
ate" said Mr.. Woods. The Under.
wood methods and the Aldrict
methods are identica! IN all essen
tial details.
The Democrats In the last con.
gress have employed all the implo,
ments Of professional politicians K
! retard legislation. policy always
| adopted by special interests. The
| Democrats who loudly proclaim pro
| gressism are reduced to a medium
| OF influence, under the oiigarchy OF
the house"
Mr.. Woods declared the reactionary
Democratic politicians from the Soutt
and from New York state were il
| the saddle" that they stified the pro
| gressive Democrats in caucus ant
bound them hand and foot and tina
the reactionary element would al
ways control in every congress il
| which there was Democratic ma
jority. II the present system be main
| tained
House OF Most Importance
The most important duty that th'
| American people will have to per
form in this campaign ia to reclaim
| congress according to Woods. TIL,
election of national legislature, hi
says, should be considered by every
one as OF supreme importance. HI
maintains that ii Is Of more import.
| ance 10 elect "A house that will ex,
| press the wishes OF the people thar
IL is OF consequence to elect a presi
dent Of the United States.
Without a congress that can rise
above the level of partisan politics
in the enactment OF important legis
lation" said Mr. Wood. tine pes
president can do but little. on tn,
other hand with a congress that act
I. on a plane OF nationwide patriotism
and Intelligent craftsmanship a bat
president can exert but small in
fuence against the passage of goo
laws
Mr. Wood says that the importan
thing Is for the American people T.
| elect men to congress who reali2
their duty to principle and that TIL,
government is paramount to theil
7 DUTY 10 any political organization o
creed.
GibSons FTown on Dances.
| NEWPORT Sept All Presto