The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1914-10-31

| which would have established a prece-
dent against government rights and
| revenue in waterpower, giving the
waterpower trust enormous advan-
tages and robbing the people of valu-
able natural resources.
Again, when Mayor John P. Grace,
OF Charleston, charged corruption In
the election Of Richard s. Whaley. Of
South Carolina, and at his own ex-
pense brought reputable witnesses
and collected q mass OF evidence,
Hammond voted with the re-actionary
southern democrats and stand-pat re-
publicans against an Investigation
This roll-caII goes to the very heart
OF political corruption on one hand
and integrity Of elections on the other.
In the Goth and 6lst Congresses,
when the republicans we're in control,
Hammond voted against gag rule"
In the 62nd and the present Congress,
with Democrats in control, and be in
position to make his voice count,
he has voted repeatedly for gag rules
OF the most arbitrary kind. AS an in
stance, on April FL, 1918, be voted for
the rule which provided for the pas
sage of the sundry civil appropriation
bill. involving $116.795.327, and AL
LOWED ONLY 40 MINUTES OF DE-
BATE, NO OPPORTUNITY FOR
AMENDMENT, EVEN UNDER THE
s MINUTE RULE, AND NO MOTION
TO RECOMMIT. 1t was charged in
the discussion, and not disputed, that
this rule was q verbatim copy OF one
formerly drawn by Mr.. Cannon, and
used by the old republican organiza
ton. against which Hammond had
voted.
Calendar Wednesday.
What is known as Calendar Wed
nesday furnishes one day each week
on which nothing can prevent the
consideration of bills reported from
committee. However, this day was
"'og damned" In this session by an
unImportant bill upon which the poll.
tIcians fiIlbustered for eleven weeks
In order to prevent tho reaching Of
several vital matters such as tho
presidential primary, various labor
bills. safety at sea. and rural credits
legislation, etc.. On April %, 1914. a
motion was made to drop considera-
ton OF the judicial code bill which
was being used as the buffer. This
motion was defeated,-Mr. Hammond
voting no.
The rules also give two Mondays of
each month to bills relating to the
District of Columbia. Such bills as
the BUCHANAN Ri1' ~ amend the build
ing law to safeguard the lives Of work
men, were on the calendar. Seem
ingly to prevent action on such bills
a motion was made to displace dis
triot day on June 8. 1914, which mo-
ton prevailed, Mr.. Hammond voting
yes, along with all the reactionaries.
Again, although Hammond voted
for the Children's Bureau Bill on final
roll call, the vital test In the fight oc-
CURED on motion to take the bill
from the unfriendIy committee on in.
ter-stats commerce and refer It to the
friendly committee on labor. Mr..
Hammond voted no, along with the
Southern defenders of child exptoita.
ton.
Cotton Futures Amendment.
Another significant roll call &C.
CURED on Sept. 80, 1918. The Senate
had adopted a provision in the tariff
bill known as the Clarke amendment.
which struck at gambling in cotton
futures. In the House. Mr.. Under.
wood offered an amendment which
greatly modified the Clarke amend.
ment and carried recognition and
regulation of stock gambling in cot
ton so far as in effect to be a step to-
ward legalization of It. Mr.. Ham.
mond voted with Underwood, and for
gambling IN cotton.
Against Publicity In Appointments.
Four attempts were made to tncor-
porate in a Judicial bill a provision
requiring the President to make pub
lie the recommendations upon which
he based the appointment Of federal
judges.
Mr.. Hammond voted against this
three times out of the four direct
votes upon it The other time he
failed to vote.
In voting as he did, Mr.. Hammond
acted in direct opposition to this
plank in the Baltimore platform.
Bryan Criticizes Hammond.
- .
" Regarding the action Of Mr..
- Hammond and the twelve other
II Democrats who sided with the
special interests in voting .
. against this. W. J. Bryan said:
| = The thirteen Democrats op- =
|" posing the law give the benefit t"
| . OF the doubt to the predatory .
interests. A man who really
believes that the President =
| > should be permitted to make >
| s his amendments OF secret rec =