The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-11

burden of the work of this campaign to rest on my friends and not carry fair share of the burden myself But l find myself in this embarrassing position. For nearly 19 years l have served the peo- plce of the Ninth district of Alabama in Congress. 1 have always felt that as long as l held their commission and re- ceived my salary from the government that it was my duty to remain in Wash ington and attend to the business of the constituency that l had the honor to rep resent. l have with practical uniformity adhered to this rule during my entire ser vice in Congress, and now that l have been selected as floor leader of my party, having additional responsibilities placed on my shoulders both to the country and to the democratic party, l feel that an additional duty rests on me to remain in Washington and give my attention to the business of Congress.
 II feel that my friends in Alaba anna will forgive me for not coming home to fight for myself, for should my absence cause delay or serious embarrassment to the inn portant legislation now pending in the House of Representatives. it would be a serious neglect of duty on my part and a reflection not only on my constituency but on the people of Alabama, who for the first time in the history of our govern ment have had one of their representa- tiyes elected as the leader of the House.
 What Has Been Done
 Let me tell you briefly what the demo- cratic administration has done since we took charge of the government on March of last year. Congress convened in ex- tra session on April 2, and we immediately began to carry out our platform pledges. We placed on the statute books the tariff bill, which bears my name, and which is the lowest tariff enacted since the Walker tariff law of 1S46. We promised to write tariff for revenue only lessenng the burdens of taxation that rests on the backs of the American people, and we have kept that pledge. We have placed on the free list bagging for cotton and cotton ties and ali agricultural imple- ments that are used by the farmers of America. In this law we provided for a graduated income tax which compels the rich to bear proportion of the bur dens of the government based on their ln- comes. The people have clamored for this reform for quarter of a century In my judgment, an income tax law is the wisest and most just form of equitably distributing the burdens of taxation. We have reformed our banking and currency laws and thereby fulfilled another plat form pledge. This is one of the greatest pieces of constructive legislation enacted within the last half century. This law takes the control of the money and the credits of the country out of the hands of money lenders and spectators in the great cities and places it in the hands of the people, where it properly belongs, We have given to the country one of the most effective parcel post laws in the world. All of this legislation was earn estly supported by me and aided earnest ly and faithfully in its enactment.
 .I assume that our people are familair with the many important measures which have been before Congress since 1t reas- sembled on January 10. and with the im- portant measures considered and adopted by the House.
 Congress Now Busy
 'We have now pending in Congress leg islation of vast interest to our people The agricultural bill is now before the House, carrying about $iS,000OOO in the way of appropriations to improve agri- cultural conditions in America. The river and harbor bill in which our people are greatly interested is on the calendar, as is also the naval appropriation bill. Both of these bills will be considered and acted upon by the House before April G. The democratic party Is pledged to revise the antitrust laws. Two committeeman of the House are now working on this legis- lation and will shortly report bills of vital importance to all the people. The for several weeks been holding hearings on bills to establish Il system of rural credits in tds country that will enable