Rocky Ford enterprise., 1914-01-16


posed to government ownership propo-
sitions think that they find in the
recommendation of the postof{ice COM
mittee the starting point of govern
ment ownership and operation of the
railroads. No one can tell yet of
course whether there is any basis for
this fear of the conservative ones of
the different parties, but it is a fact
that Washington expects one of the
bitterest contests of the winter will
come over this seemingly minor provi-
sion of an appropriation bill which is
intended to allow Uncle Sam to buy
a few mall cars for the use of the post
office service.
The average of opposition to govern
ment ownership is just as great in the
Democratic party. as it is represented
in congress. as 1t is in the ranks of the
Republicans. The Democrats are put
ting through what they consider pro-
gressive legislation. but many Of them
are casting their votes with the feel
ings of men who are being driven to
do things they do not want to do.
Caused a Warm Debate.
When the postoffice and post roads
committee was considering the propo-
sition to buy the cars outright there
was debate in the committee room
which for warmth equaled the temper
ature of any recent debate In the
open house. The majority in favor of
the proposition was bare one. It is
expected that the minority committee
men will voice their objection to the
bill from the floor, and 1t is possible
they may get enough support from
their own and from the Republican
ranks to negative the committees rec
ommendation.
1t already virtually has been decided
that congress shall take up this win
ter the matter of government con-
struction of railroad in Alaska. Al
ready opposition to the plan has de-
yeloped and the conservative Demo
Gratis are trying to rally the forces of
opposition. When the committee with
a large Democratic majority splits as
evenly as the postoffice committee did
on such small matter as the pur-
chase of a few railroad cars by the
government some indication may be
had of the strong opposition which is
likely to develop to the Alaskan plan.
Reused by Whitaere's Charges.
Members of congress have been
pretty well stirred up over the re-
marks made by Representative ]. ].
Whitacre of Ohio, in a speech which
he made in Canton. O., not long ago.
Mr.. Whitacre was reported as having
said that the man who wants to be
intellectually honest has not business
in congress"
What Mr.. Whitacre meant unQues-
tionably was that congressman fire.
quently are compelled. because OF
party pressure, or because OF pressure
from their constituents. to vote on
measures against their convictions.
and 1t may be that he meant some OF
them actually are compelled by the
same kind of pressure to vote against
their consciences. Mr.. Whitacre Is
said to have declared that he would
not run for congress again because he
could not make the service square
with Intellectual honesty.
Whether or not Mr.. Whitacre made
the statement In exactly the words re-
ported makes little difference In the
application of his reported words to
the condition in congress. One Of the
broad criticisms OF the actions Of In
dividuals in congress when the time
comes to vote, has been that q men,
ber seerns to think that he represents
first his district and second the coun-
try at large.
District Versus Country.
L., Ia.
stituents against the seeming needs
of his country, is a member intellectu-
ally dishonest? That is. is he intel
lectually dishonest II his own convic-
tions lead him to vote for the good
of the country. while his desire to
serve his immediate constituents. and
perhaps his desire to be reelected.
make him cast his vote for the inter-
ests of the specific locality rather than
for the interests OF all his countrymen
outside of small circumscribed dis
trict?
1t can be said that more and more
congressman are coming to vote for
the entire country rather than for
their constituents. This was shown
to be true when the last tariff bill was
put through. Men from lumber dis
tricts voted to put lumber on the free
list and some men from sheep dis
tricts voted for free wool. Now it
might be said that these men voted
seemingly against the good of their
immediate constituents because they
thought their SO voting would be good
for the entire country.
What Other Members Say.
Representative Charles Fl. Burke OF
South Dakota is quoted as saying on
this matter of intellectual honesty: