The Ordway new era., 1918-08-09
Republican Congress
tFrom Illinois State JournaD

In announcing his candidacy for
congressman-at-larg Richard Yates
has struck the keynote of the coming
congressional campaign. Mr.. Yates
is a candidate because he believes
the government at this time needs
the aid of Republican congress and
because he feels that his experience
in public affairs will make him SER
viceable at Washington.
The logic back of Mr.. Yates cam
paign cannot be controverted. The
government certainly needs a con-
gress such as the Republican party
nishing at this time. 1t needs 1t be-
cause the present Democratic organ
ization is either incapable or unwill-
ing to give to President Wilson the
sort of support which is required
while the nation Is at war.
Whtla there is no doubt concern
Ing the loyalty and patriotism of the
majority in congress-, the organization
has ever been lukewarm or lDdiffer-
ent. Most of the leading Democratic
members were for keeping out of the
war. In the first instance. and they
have never become reconciled to the
president for changing his attitude
on this question. While they have
liar measures. they have not been
willing to share responsibility with
the executive for constructive war
Legislation. No important piece of
legislation since the beginning of the
war carries the marks of congress
sional handicraft. Practically every
bill has come from the executive de-
partment. and the only evidence of
its consideration by congress is a
perfunctory roll call of Endorsement.
A Republican majority in congress
would give to the government some
thing worth while in the way of sup
port. Since the organization of the
Republican party II has been a con-
structive force. In matters of states
craft and legislation Republicans are
never Indifferent or unmlndful of re-
sponsibility. A Republican congress
will be no rubber stamp, but an ac-
tive, virile. and helpful arm of the
government.
With Republican organization In
congress President Wilson will not
find 1t necessary to go outside the
regular machinery of that body for
the drafting of creative legislation.
And when bills are prepared he will
not be required to exercise political
pressure or other extraordinary meth
Odb W tiitli III
stead of half hearted support, grudg-
ingly given only when rolls are called,
he will have intelligent, capable aid.
What congressional assistance he Is
now getting comes largely from Re-
publican members. To make that aid
more effective the reluctant, unwill-
ing, and incompetent organization
which represents the present majority
ought to be ousted.
To bear out the above claim here
is what former Congressman John A.
Martin, of Pueblo. says in his cam
paign for the congressional nomina-
tion, against Heating:
FIVE KAHN AMENDMENTS
April 28. 1917. Mr.. Keating
voted AGAINST what was known
as the Five Kahn Amendments
nays. 109.
EXPLANATORY NOTE:
The House Committee on Mill
tary Affairs presented Volunteer
Army Bill which also provided
for Draft Army in the event
the volunteer provision failed.
The President, seeing the folly
of such measure, insisted upon
the draft plan.
Congressman Kahn, of Cali
fornia. who represented the Pres
ident on the army bill. present
ed five amendments known as
the Five Kahn Amendments, en-
bodying the Presidents wishes.
Then followed the most ex-
traOrdinary thing ever seen in
Congress. A Republican, repre-
scnting committee minority,
mi tfxyv rnv-t
bOdying the plans Of Demo-
cratic president, which was adopt
ed by the overwhelming vote Of
313 to 100.
Thus it will be seen that Mr..