Montana labor news., 1935-01-17
Happenings in Congress
By Hon. Joseph P. Monaghan
January IL, 1895
MESSAGE

January IL, 1885
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
With his usual frankness, u~nexcelled
brevity and masterful delivery, the
President Of the United States report
ed to the Congress on the state of the
Union. His message, which was re-
plete with constructive suggestions as
we'll as with condemnation of many
Objectionable and undesirable abuses
was acclaimed by members OF Con-
Igress as being one of the best ever
delivered during their incumbency. The
attach upon problems OF state was full
of that dynamic directness which char
acterizes real leadership. Sincerity
predominated. In spite of our ef-
forts he said, 1--WE have not weeded
out the over-privileged and we have not
effectively lifted up the under-privil-
eged.....I am not willing that the vitality
OF our people be further Slapped by the
giving ....of a few hours of weekly work
...~picking up papers in the public
parks. .. The Federal Government must
and shall quit this business of Relief
The President likewise touched up
on security for employment, old age
and decent homes with indication that
more would be said about these i'm
portant subjects at a later date. Many
specific recommendations will be nee
essary to carry out the great plan which
in a general way, was set forth in the
message.
With one portion OF the message
however, particular disagreement was
evident on the part Of those who be-
lieve that Congress should lead the way
to higher wages rather than set a bad
example which industry would blindly
follow. The President declared that
the compensation OF individuals en-
ployed in Public Works should not be-
......so large as to encourage the %rejec-
ton Of opportunities for private en-
ployment or the leaving OF private en-
ployment to engage in Government
work" 1t is hardly conceivable that
one would not forsake emergency
Government employment when offered
private employment with reasonable
assurance of its %permanency.
BUDGET MESSAGE
That leads US logically to the Pres
ident's Budget Message, calling for
Eight Billion Dollars. The vast ma
jority Of this money is intended for
Works Projects having a permanent
value. This is a tremendous sum Of
money, yet if it saves the morale and
renews the hopes OF millions of Amer
leans the expenditure will be well justi-
fled, and the Presidents fundamental
purpose will have been accomplished.
incidentally, but none the less import
ant, future new wealth for the Ma
ton" is being created.
l45TH DISCHARGE RULE
Congress has virtually given up its
last great right. No sooner was Joe
Byrnes of Tennessee made the Dem
ocratic Caucus selection as Speaker Of
the House than he Immediately brought
in a resolution binding the members
of the Caucus to vote for the repeal
Of the l45th Discharge Rule. This
rule provided that las signatures to a
petition would discharge a committee
from consideration of a bill, and was
the only method Of forcing a bill to
the floor of the House out of a slowly
Committee. Now, however,
218 signatures are required. The out
.standingly fearless and courageous
men in the Congress, those whose mo-
are above question and whose
purpose is the promotion OF the
welfare Of this Nation, voted against
the change. Unfortunately, Congress
is not full Of leaders; rather it is over
run with followers, men blindly follow
ing those older in service, and men
over-awed by the seudo-importance
Of assumed leadership and would-be
Ieaders. The dictators said, vote with
The Administration" and thus the votes
we're cast. Let us hope that American
Congressional action does not degen-
crate from Democracy to benevolent
iespotism.