The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1913-04-11

do IIC OOAQ NOAA-
gress, and it will be remembered more
especially as the first democratic con-
gress in nearly twenty years. Both
houses are controlled and dominated
i by the democratic party. while a dem
i ocrat presides at the White House.
! While President Wilson did not spe-
city in his call the purpose of the ex-
ira session. the first, most important
and possibly the only general legisla-
I ton to be attempted will deal with
/ the tariff. The democrats are pledg-
ed by the Baltimore platform to a
downward revision of the tariff, and
| for the past ten days tariff has been
the sole topic of discussion in Wash
ington political circles. The presi-
dent has evidenced a keen interest in
the legislation, and, thanks to his ac-
tivities, there is strong promise of
speedy and satisfactory revision.
The Florida senators and congress
men of course feel a deep interest in
the revision, and all of them promise
to take an active hand in the framing
of the bill, or bills, as the case may
be. 1t has not been definitely decid-
ed whether the legislation shall be
considered in an omnibus bill, or
whether the several schedules shall
be considered separately.
Secretary of the Treasury McAdoo
has made reply to the brief submitted
by Senator Fletcher to the treasury
department last March, protesting
against the customs reorganization
through an order issued by President
Taft just before his retirement. The
reorganization consolidates the entire
state of Florida into one customs dis
trict, with headquarters at Jackson,
vile.
Senator Fletcher contends that
there should be a collector at each
port of entry in the state, and failing
in this he demands a collector at Tam
pa, Key West, Pensacola and Jack
sonville. If, however, there is to be
only one collector in the state, it is
the opinion of Mr. Fletcher that his
headquarters should be in Tampa
The secretary of the treasury, in his
letter to Senator Fletcher. says that
he agrees that Tampa should be made
headquarters, if the reorganization is
to stand, and there is to be only one
district.
Senators Fletcher and Bryan and
all of the congressman are united in
their efforts to displace Joseph Lee,
the negro collector of internal reve-
nue. for Florida. They are confident
that their efforts will be rewarded
real soon The strongest candidates
for this position are DR.. J. H. Colson
of Gainesville and H. H. Lewis of Ma
rianna.
The delegates are also much inter
ested in the appointment of United
States marshals and district attor-
neys for the northern and southern
districts of the state. 1t is not known
how soon the department of justice
will take up these matters.
The impression in Washington at
this time is that President Wilson
will not attempt Immediately to han
die the patronage situation as a gen
eral thing, but will expend his ener
gies for the present in handling the
tariff matters in congress- This does
not mean. however, that all patronage
will be side-tracked 1t is regarded
as certain that postoffice nominations,
! etc. will be made as vacancies occur
and it is likely also that all other pat
ronage matters that have already
been decided by the president will be
made public But the president is not
going to hunt further trouble for him
! self and the members Of congress I'm
til the party is well out of the woods
on the tariff problems.
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