The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1913-04-26

SSAlC VI luSSe progressive hPpuDIlC'
ana who have declined to Join the Pro
gressive party. are anxious that the
two factions of Republicanism shall
get together once more in order that
united front can be presented to the
Democratic enemy In the next cleo
ton. These progressive Republicans,
men like Cummins, Borah and others,
are moderate tariff revisionists and it
Is not likely that they would stand
with the old line Republicans in oppo-
sltion to those provisions OF the new
Dill which make only moderate cuts
IN some of the schedules.
Old Timers In Doubt.
The senate Republicans of the cid
school do not know whether or not to
sit back and let the tariff bill go
through without much protest If they
can get the support OF the progress
slVeS OF their party they may be will
ing to make stand and to protest viz
tually against every provision in the
Dill, but otherwise they may elect TO
allow the measure to go through with
out much debate and then trust to the
lowered rates TO bring destruction 10
the Democratic party"
Some time ago. even before the new
Democratic tariff bill was under dis
cussion by the house ways and means
committee, some of the high protec-
ton Republicans in the senate said
publicly that it would be better for
the party not to enter any vigorous
protest against the passage of the
Dill, but simply to allow it TO 20
through with an extremely limited
amount Of opposition debate, and to
make few speeches saying that the
bill would be disastrous = the coun-
try. and then to sit back. let the meas
ure so through "and trust the result
70 God and the ultimate consumer"
Now it may be that a change of
mind will come to the old line Repub-
hcans. 1t is certain to come if the
progressives OF their party will join
WIN them in a program of assault
upon all the provisions of the bill |
The old line Republicans, however,
say they do not believe it would do the |
future of their party any good if the |
Progressives were to Join with them in |
their attacks on parts of the Demo |
cratic measure and to join with the |
Democrats in the defense of other
parts OF it. The high protection Re
)ublicans say that such a course sim.
ply would accentrate the difference OF
ariff opinion in their party
So it may be that the tariff bill as
ramed by the Democrats will &c
through the senate without much Re
publican opposition. but it is possible
hat II the Republicans find there are
nough Democrats willing to Join them
n opposition to the cut in the sugar
md wool rates they may agree to en-.
er the fight even though the progress.
ives OF their party will not go along
With them whole-heartedly.
May Fine Absences.
Unless the members of the new con
ress are more regular in attendance
I the sessions than were the members
the last congress II is the intention
the leaders to adopt rules for the
rst time in the history OF the govern
lent which shall compel the presence
members at the sessions, and com
Ell" is the word the leaders are using
hen they speak of the projected reg
Iation.
Bluntly, it is the plan to propose
nd to secure the adoption OF a rule
nder which heavy fines shall be in
cted on representatives in congress
no absent themselves from the legis
tive chamber without adequate ex
Use at times when their presence not
lily is needed but It merely desirable
1t must be understood that this at. b
ndance matter has nothing 70 dc 6
it'll politics nor with parties, and IL (:
il the leaders OF the three
litical organizations in the house {,
infer together and in entire sympa a
y. They all seem to deplore the s.
ewing habit of absenteeism. The o
cords of the last three congressee fl
e records Of extraordinary difficult Il
IS at the times when the effort has h
en- to get a quorum when impor 81
NJ measures have been up and upop a
itch free discussion and a full vote Il
re deemed essential not only 70 the CT
Cd of legislation but for the 200, hi
me OF the house
Several of the leaders OF the house IN
We called the condition deplorable oil
it is known definitely that unless q
turing and the enforcement OF u
e requiring voting on all questions IN
OF avail TO bring about better con ~
ions, the leaders, probably through &c
rules committee or in whatever Il
the thing must be done. will see OF
1t that absentees are fined ar ia
cunt so large that even men who ar
re private incomes added to their
300 year from the government sn
rot afford TO stay in their office nj
ms or in heir hotels when a cecen, De
ard for their duty would demand IN
they should be In their seats in W;