Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1916-12-29
Tire.Of Mere Opposition.

Agitation for a conference Of House
Republicans to outline definite plan oil
constructive action during this and the
next Congress to replace the present policy
Of merely opposing Democratic proposals
has been begun to take definite form.
Upon his return to Washington from
Cincinnati. where he announced his oppo-
sitiOn to Republican Leader Mann foI
Speaker Of the next House and his support
Of Representative Lenroot, of Wisconsin
for the place. Representative Gardner. Of
Massachusetts,, said he would Immediately
seek to have conference called to form
ulate policies for the future. He made it
clear that his Efforts to obtain conference
would be disassociated from his opposition
to Mr.. Mann, which. he says, is based
solely on his conviction that Mr.. Mann
stands for Prussia and Prussianism" in
international affairs. Until Mann Endorsed
President Wilson's recent peace message,
Gardner said. he favored him.
Il shall endeavor to have a conference
called to formulate policies and discuss
them, rather than personalities" said the
Massachusetts representative. Il am tired
TO death Of waiting for lot Of big wigs in
the Republican party to prepare platform
for us that means nothing. The Republi-
can party more nearly represents the peo-
pie than any other. and it is high time that
va ,.ara nlanDind for urd;nd the adont;on
Of many progressive ideas which already
have been incorporated into laws in other
countries"
Representative Lenr0ot evinced keen
interest in the conference proposal and
said he favored similar plan.
There is very general sentiment on
the Republican side" he said. for q con-
ference to discuss the future action of the
party representatives in the House I
think that we should not be content with
merely opposing Democratic proposals in
the present Congress II we do not favor
them. we should state our reasons and
offer substitutes which we believe to be
better. should like to see the Republi.
cans adopt such plan for the remain
der Of the short term Of Congress and out
line general program Of legislation for
the next session"
Representative Gardners announcement
Of his intention to aeitate for conference
met a cordial response among many Of the
rank and file Republicans who are anxious
to prevent the present ranking minority
members Of several committees who are
classified as irreconcilable standpatters
from getting chairmanships unless they
make declarations of progressive princi-
pies.
This revolutionary Congressman Gardner
declares that the Republican party has gol
to formulate constructive policy and work
for 1t all the time. and that merely abus-
ing the Democrats and obstructine Demo-
cratic legislation won't do. Well. well
here's the enfant terrible of the Republican
family. The only constructive policy the
Republicans can agree on is a high tariff
and that is not thing the people will gel
''all het up" over under present business
conditions. Most Of the Republicans never
heard Of any party policy except abusing
the Democrats.
1t may be worth while to remind Con
gresham Gardner that his party ceased
to have constructive program as lont
ago as when the watchword Of the G. o
P. became stand pat" That is why tn,
Republicans have been beaten for six years
They wouldn't do anything except to stant
pat and hurl billineseate at the Democrats
Il will take them long time to learn any
thing different.