Jasper County Democrat, Volume 9, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 September 1906 — BILLS KILLED OR "DEFERRED” BY CONGRESS. [ARTICLE]

BILLS KILLED OR "DEFERRED” BY CONGRESS.

The session of congress lately adjourned lasted seven months. The Republicans had a large majority In both the house and senate. The presiding officers of both bodies were Republicans and the president, who must approve all legislation, is a Republican. The chairman of every committee was a Republican. It would have been easy for the Republicans, therefore, to pass any bill that they wanted to pass. But there were many bills that they did not want to pass and yet were afraid to openly vote against, and so such bills were smothered in committcees or held back' by other processes. It was thus that the labor bills were killed. Among the regular measures that lost their lives at the last session were the following: The eight-hour bill. The anti-injunction bill. The bill limiting the working hours of railway employes. The letter carriers’ bill. Publicity of campaign affairs. Prohibiting corporation campaign contributions. Election of United States senators by direct vote of the people. To prevent competition with con-vict-made goods. For the greater safety of Inland navigation. To build government powder factory to prevent the extortions of the powder trust. To unseat Senator Smoot, Mormon apostle. Other measures In which there was popular interest could be added to the list. Speaking of the matter In the closing days of the last session Congressman Sulzer, of New York, said: “And there are others of almost as much Importance, but 1 am sorry to say because these hills are opposed by great corporate and finanolal Interests it is absolutely Impossible, apparently, to get them considered In this house—to have them brought to a vote, so that the members will he compelled to go on record and vote for them or vote against them. Such Is Republican policy.”

When the rate bill was pending President Roosevelt repeatedly warned the railroads that If they prevented government regulation they might expect a demand for government ownership. Mr. Bryan declares that If the railroads will submit to fair regulation in the interest of the, people government ownership will not be necessary, but that If they refuse to submit to such regulation It may come.