Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1913-03-20

Complexion of the Houses.
1t does not seem likely that in the
house Of representative the new pres
ident will be obliged to depend upon
any support outside of his own party
| to secure sanction for any legislation
which he may care to recommend, pro-
vided of course 1t is within the realm
OF party sanity. The house of repre-
sentatives, certainly so far as the Dem
cratic majority is concerned, is more
conservative today than it has been
for long time, but the conservative
ones are conservatives on their own
account for the main part, and not on
account of their constituents. There
are dozens OF Democratic members Of
the lower branch, conservative in
thought, who represent progressive
constituencies. Regard for their con-
stituents and for the future probably
will hold most of these Democrats to
the Wilson policies.
In the senate there are more pro-
gressives, even radicals, today than
ever before in the history of that body.
oSNCh YEARS dSO, d41d HUN SHaG lAAi1C
down until almost the present. a con-
sentative senate viewed with alarm a
radical house. Today a semi-conserva-
tive house is viewing, but with no ex-
preston of alarm, a progressive and
perhaps radical senate. The change
has been unexpected. but it has come
and it is marked
In the nextshouse Of representatives
conservative Republicans will form a
small minority OF. the membership.
There will not be many more Of them
than there are of the progressive
minded ones of their own party. On
| many Of the Wilson policies the Pro-
licans can be accounted as part of the
Democracy.
Progressives Forming Program.
The Progressives, of whom there
will be nineteen or twenty members in
the next house, have not yet complet-
er their legislative program, although
some of it's details have been agreed
upon and have been given in these dis
patches before this time. 1t seems to
be assured today that the one line Of
Progressive and progressive Republt-
can endeavor which will run sharply
counter to the endeavor Of the progress
sive Democrats, and of the administra-
ton as well, is one which runs into
the field of child labor legislation.
AS for the rest Of the legislation, the
progressive Republicans and the Pro
gressiyes will wait to see what it is
that Mr. Wilson is to recommend.
That they will support him II his
views are as their views is certain.
sundry Civil Bill Annoys.
AS soon as congress gets to-
gether again it must repass the
sundy civil bill which failed to be-
come a law because Mr.. Taft chose
to veto it. The house of representa-
tives, as will be remembered, voted to
pass the bill over the veto, but as
it reached the senate only few mo-
ments before final adjournment, no
action was taken on it, and it died
what congressman call natural
death. The senate meeting thereafter
in extra session, could not pass upon
the bill because it was an act Of the
last congress.
The sundry civil bill Is just what it's
name implies. 1t includes appropria-
lions for various expenditures. of gov
eminent which come under the head
of sundries, and among its provisions
are appropriations for special work
in some of the departments. Mr.. Taft
vetoed the bill because it contained
a provision to the effect that no part
OF sum voted to aid in prosecutions
under the antitrust law should be
used to prosecute labor organizations
trying to combine for the purpose OF
lettering working conditions or for
raising wages, and also provision
which estopped the use of the appro-
priation to prosecute certain agricul-
tural combinations intended to get
proper prices for commodities. Mr..
Taft said it was class legislation and
ought not to pass.
Awkward for congressman.
The sundry civil bill matter which
the next congress must take up, hay
ing in it the labor proviso named, &C
centuates once more the difficulties
which legislative bodies have in
dealing with the labor question. In
England labor is looked upon as a
class" and so class legislation there
is not regarded as anything out of the
ordinary. In America there are not
supposed to be classes, and so it
81, hn Tysnuu OF q
students of the Constitution and of
economics generally, labor organiza|
lions stand where organizations of
capital stand. 1t is a crucial sort of
a question and one if it were debated
thoroughly in house ard senate, would
put many members in awkward po-
sitions.
No one knows whether or not the
provision to which Mr.. Taft objected
will be inserted in the sundry civil bill
as it is to be redrawn. 1t is appar
ent that good many members hope
it will be omitted from the bill, be-
cause there never is any very great
desire to discuss a question which,
might bring trouble in the future to,
men who have ambition to be return
ed to Office. If this clause is retain
ed and the bill passes and is signed,
it will mark another advanced step.
in labor legislation in the United
States, and it also will IN a way, put
the agricultural producer in class
of exemption from prosecutions, I'M
less, of course, the combination Of
which bo 10 q mart bapomps one in, re-
straint of trade and of marked Grim
inal intent as the Sherman law views
criminality.
His Identity.