Gilpin observer., 1913-04-17
WASHINGTON NEWS
By Edward Keating.


Washington. April 12-The people g
business should be transacted in the
presence OF the people" That wes
the shibbCieth OF these OF us who
baft.ed for the open caucus at the
first meeting of the Democratic .le-
presentattves in the 63d Congress.
We lost the fight but we gained such
important concessions that the peo-
pie need have no fear that prcgres-
sEve legislation will be strangled in
s.nr-chamber conferences. Fer hun
dred years. partdzan Congressional
caucus have been held i'm Washington
behind closed doors. Special Privi-
lege found means to make its wishes
hnown-the people and press were
barred. The natural fruit of this
system was Cannon.sm-the vicious
growth OF which destroyed the Repub.
lcan party.
The moment the Democratic eau
Gus was called to order on the cp-
ening day of the extra session the
fight for the open door" began
Many and ingerGcus were the pleas
made for the retention of the cid sys
tenn. We were tcld that the eau
Gus was the place where loyal party
men met to formulate party politics,
and we were warned that 1.-The enemy
would be told of our plans If the peo-
Ifnr<a Or dvr,df f1I f<x ft.a 10
The supporters of the new order re-
piled that political party should
have no secrets. They argued that
we were public servants and that we
should not resent the presence of
our employers while we were doing
our work The arrangement finally
agreed to was in the nature of a
compromise. All important motions
and resolutions are to be made public
and 25 per cent of those attending
will be given to the press. That's
at least step I'M the right direction.
l think we will go the rest of the way
in the near future.
! One interesting development of the
fight for the open door" was the
attitude of the Colorado delegation.
We voted as unit for progress and
ours WIS the only delegation wht1h
achieved the proud distinction. All
the others were badly divided en- tee
proposition.
In one of my former letters I de-
clared that fer the first time since
Democrat in the White House. Every
day President Wilson is justifying
that statement. If the spirits of the
mighty departed may observe the
trol of the affairs of the Republic.
Lincoln, jefferson and Jackson must
be exchanging heartfelt congratu!a-
tions.
ike to drop into the lobby of
the New Willard these evenings and
listen to the lamentations of the paid
servants of Special Privilege who are
swelling the bank accounts Of the
managers of that luxurious hostelry.
These lobbyists are confident that
the country is headed for the deni-
tion bow-wows and that the respon-
sflbn6ty fer the impending calamity
rests on the shoulders OF the Pres
ident. They were almost shocked out
of their boots when they learned that
he would appear before Congress in
his own proper person and read his
message instead of permitting clerk
to perform that task fer him. With
trembling voices they pointed out
that ne was violating the sacred pre-
cedents of a century and they were
confident that the foundations of the
courtry could net stand the strain.
Their cup OF woe was filled to over
flowing, however. when he came tc
the presidents room in the capitol
: on the following day and with engag
ing franl1ness told the Democratic
senators that the people expected
them to redeem their pledges of the
Baltimore platform.
Verify, times have changed!
As I stated last week, the House
Is standing by the president The
Democratic majority Is putting I'm full
eight hours a day on the tariff bill
Every schedule is being scrutinizet
and am average cut OF one-third Il
being made in the rates. The neces
saries OF life are being slashed ever
more, while the burden Of maintain
ing the government. is being gradual