The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1917-02-20
BY ARTHUR w. DUNN.

SLagsus
BY ARTHUR w. DUNN.
Washington. Feb. 10. Especial. J.
President Wilson must have experience
ed a grim satisfaction recently when a
lot Of senator's opposed to him and his
position had to take their medicine
and vote to indorse him. The senate
did this on two different occasions and
within two weeks, although 1t was
TO reverse itself aud to go out
side of its jurisdiction In diplomatic
affairs to do SO,
The first instance was In regard TO
the peace note to the powers. The
senate knew 1t had no business to take
action on that note. but 1t had TO in
dorse il when ii was presented.
And the same was true In regard to
the Endorsement of the address about
seyering diplomatic relations with Ger.
many. The senate had to lndorse that
pronouncement OF the president, al
though many senators felt that IT
brought MS nearer to war.
Standing Together.
The fact that In IA crisis with foreign
nations one sentiment is always eX-
pressed, and that is 1--WE must stand
together" makes il comparatively easy
for the presidents friends to force an
Endorsement of any action he may
take. In the first place, the president
is sure of the almost solid support OF
his own party. The opposition party
would not dare go contrary to what
the president asks for fear that 1t
would be accused of playing politics at
a time when the whole country is ad-
monished TO stand together against IA
foreign foe.
There were some men who voted for
the Stone resolution indorsing the pres
ident's action in severing diplomatic
relations with Germany with many
misgivings and fearful that Ii would
result in war, but ON the principle that
we must all stand together and stand
with the president they voted for the
resolution.
Relief For Contractors.
Congressman Moon Of the p~ostofiice
committee was trying TO get ii bill
through the house to allow the post
master general to pay the contractors
for postal cards ana stamped enyel-
opes an amount sufficient 10 prevent a
loss on their contracts. 1t appears that
the high price of paper has made IL
certain that the contractors would lose
money. Many objections were raised
TO the bill.
Former Speaker Cannon at one stage
Of the discussion asked. suppose these
raw materials had fallen off 90 per
cent, would the contractors have made
a reductionf"
Il have no idea they would" replied
Neon.
Finally Fitzgerald of New York oh
jected.
You will be without postal card,
ana envelopes warned Moon.
well, / will go without them re-
piled Fitzgerald.
New York does not need anything
but pneumatic tubes, anyway" was
Moons final retort, recolleeting that hC
had been beaten by the cities ON tina
proposition.
Annual Seed Fight.
The fight against the free distribu
ton of seeds failed, as Ii always does
This is another illustration of The fac
that congress does what the peopl,
want. During the discussion of thu
subject by Senator Wadsworth of New
York he was interrupted by Senate
Kenyon of Iowa, who asked
Does the senator realize there il
great force in the argument made herr
today hat it is necessary to have thes'
seeds in order to decorate the conntr,
sehoolhouses with lilaes, sunfower
and f-orgetmenotsT"
The distribution OF these seeds,
continued Wadsworth, lis regards
somewhat In the nature of u joke. Il
many sections the people do not desir
them
7 What section does not van themf
asked Senator Smoot of Utah.
/ western New York Is not clamol
ing for them" replied Wadsworth
His First Bill.
Congressman Dent of Alabama har
died his first bill, the army appropria
ton bill, In the house. Dent is one o
the younger members of the house an
Is also quite new In regard to service
! 1t SO happened that he landed on th
committee on military affairs. an
> since that time many vacancies hay
: occurred, which finally gave him th
I craftsmanship because he was the ranl
ing member. He has given careful o.
tention to the military appropriate
bill, and he has made a good record !
handling 1t in the house.
"Bribing' the Senate.
Il am going to be very brief" r.
| marked Senator Hardwick of Georgi
! when he took the floor to speak on tn
: Stone resolution indorsing the pres
y dent, land ] make that statement |
! order that | may, If possible, Undue