New Mexico state record., 1918-11-29
A SCHEME TO SET
ASIDE MANDATE
OF The VOTERS
1T is LIKELY THAT THE DE.
MOCRATS WILL TRY TO
PASS POLITICAL OVERMAN
BILL BEFORE CONGRESS
ADJOURNS

Washington, Nov, 2.--It is becom.
ing apparent that before the close
of the Congress on March 4th a Bit
ter fight will be witnessed over the
creation of the proposed committee
contest, at least will be staged in
the Senate. The Weeks resolution
for the appointment of a Congress
sional committee, composed equal
y of Republicans and Democrats,
has the united and determined sup
port of the Republicans. The ad-
ministration Senators are behind the
Presidents bill giving him authority
to appoint commission of five,
under which it is possible for him
to select at least three Democrats.
The Republicans are opposing the
administration measures for two rea-
sons. In the first place it under
takes to continue in the hands of the
President great autocratic power.
against which the voters so unmis.
takably expressed themselves in the
recent elections. The appointments
that Mr.. Wilson has made to other
"bi-partisan" commissions have con-
vinced the Republicans that his re-
construction committee would be re-
preventative of the two political par
ties in name only. Mr.. Wilson has
found it easy to select nominal Re-
publicans who hold economic views
similar to his own. or who are will
ing to stultify their own beliefs as
the price for appointment to pub
lie office, 1t is certain that in select
ing such a commission the President
would make of it merely a rubber
stamp to record his own personal
ideas.
Another fundamental objection
raised by the Republicans to com
mission appointed by the Executive
is that the pending bill provides
that it shall have life OF two years.
In other words, in spite OF the man
date of the people that the peace
policies of the country shall be
shaped by the Republicans, Con-
greSs would have saddled upon it
Democratic committee controlled by
a Democratic President, who would
attempt to set aside the verdict of
the elections and secure the passage
of reconstruction legislation fashion
ed after the views of the party de-
feated by such an overwhelming
popular vote.
If the administration bill becomes
a law during the winter it will re-
main on the statute books for at
least two years. II would do no
good for Republican Congress to
attempt its repeal. OF course such
a measure would receive the imme-
date veto of the President, and
it is scarcely possible that two
thirds vote in both branches Of
Congress could be mustered to pass
it over the Presidents opposition.
1t is the evident intention of the
Democrats of the Senate to exert
themselves to the utmost to enact
their reconstruction bill before they
retire from power in March. 1t Is
in the hands of Senator Overman
Of North Carolina. and he has given
notice that it will be brought up
for consideration at the earliest op.
oortunity. The Republicans are ready
for the fray, They will insist upon
a thorough discussion of every feat
IRE involved in the legislation, and
i will not pass the Senate until
he country has been fully informed
,f the baneful effect of its influence
IN future reconstruction measures.
Members of the House
IRE aroused, equally with their party
associates in the Senate, over the
attempt of the Democrats to con-
rol Federal legislation after their
decisive defeat at the polls, and il
s certain that the bill will find
,ard shedding if it ever gets to that
,ody. Under all the circumstances
he prospects are bright for accom-
,lishing the defeat of this last vicious
'ffort OF dying American autocracy.