The Washington times., 1913-04-24
GARDNER TELLS WHY
REPUBLICANS FAILED
Gives Payne Measure Credit for
Much Of Opposition at the
November Election.

In a philosophical speech such as is
rarely heard during a partisan tariff de-
bate, Congressman Augustus P Gard
ner. a Massachusetts, Republican, asked
and answered in the House the ques-
ton: What Allied Cs-the Republic
ans?'
The frank and unusual nature of the
Gardner speech has caused much COM
ment about the Capitol today. 1t was
delivered late yesterday in the opening
round OF the tariff debate.
Congressman Gardner was critical Of
the Underwood bill, and its alleged in
equities. but he also scored in a dag
nosis of Republican ills.
The country, he said, believed it had
two reasons for dismissing the Repub-
lican party from power-one that we
obstinRtely resisted reasonable reforms;
the other, that the country desired
tariff revision much further reaching
the venerable author of the Payne bill,
he said: .-- r---e --.-
Payne Bore Reproach.
"Mr. Payne, schedules I and K never
met with your approval Over your
protest and against your will they were
voted into the law which bears your
name Yet, through the four years that
have passed. you have uttered no word
to defend yourself at the expense Of
your co-workers. You have Lad a
heavy burden of reproach to bear, and
right generously have you borne II.
Continuing an answer to the question.
What allied us?", Mr.. Gardner asserted
that IL the Democrats failed to make
good, the people probably would try the
Progreseives. He doubted that the
country would turn back Immediately
to Republicanism.
Men some times forget their prom
ises,' said Mr.. Gardner. Suppose that
the Democrats fail tu carry out their
radical program. VIII the country turn
to our party? I doubt IT. The people
wish to try some Of these new ideas and
are willing to risk the consequences Of
their proving disastrous. The Repub-
licans have not given them what they
wish.
Sees Future.
..Is the Democrats follow our example
IL need surprise no one should the peo-
pie turn to the Progressive party. In
fact, this is the only direction in which
/ can foresee a future for that party.
IL the Democrats prove radical. intelli-
pent radicals will vote the Democratic
ticket Surely. they viii not help to
divide the radical vote bv supporting
Inc PROGRESSIVE CduQludlcS-
Mr.. Gardner's answer to the SELF
propounded question What allied u.s."
Is IN part as follows:
1T is true, moreover, that the Re-
publican party had fallen under the
guidance of one of those far too power
full obligarchies, which men call ma
chimes :" and 1t is true that this ma
shine was not representative of the rank
and file who voted our ticket
I'VE failed to move with the age
That was the head and front of our Of
sending The Republican cnieftains
gould not adjust their views to mo1ern
cchools of thought. They persisted in
governing the country In their own way,
not in the country's way, and SO we
al came to grief. The trust magnate
IA his directors chair damned Taft be-
eause he attacked the trusts.
THE orator on the hustings damned
him because he did not attack the
trusts. The Western farmer swore velg-
eance on the Republican party because.
as he said, New England manufactures
were overprotected. The New England
operative swore vengeance on the Re-
publican party because. as he said, the
duty on the food products of the farm
was too high.
"On one thing alone everybody was
agreed-that the Republican party must
pay the penalty