Grand Rapids Herald-Review Newspaper, March 29, 1911, Page 9

PAGE EIGHT. TEES SANE SLE A AN GRAND RAPIDS HERALD-REVIEW WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 1011: CREATED STIR IN THE HOUSE Klemer Episod2 ts the Chief) Topic of Interest, SENATE APPROVES MEASURE Passes Bill Providing for the Direct Nomination of State Officers at Primaries. (Special Correspondence). St. Pau!, March 27.—During the past week the Klemer episode in the house has been the chief topic of interest. While e affair appears to be ovet emphasized, it may result in good in- sofar as it may have a tendency to make men occupying so responsible a place as membership in the legislature to exercise care in their statements. In a nutshell, the case is this. Repre- sentative Klemer of Rice county, a quiet, modest and unassuming man, wat up one day. and announced he wished to offer a resolution. It was a peculiar document and in it he charged that the epeaker had “packed the committees in the interest of the special interests.” This raised 8 storm of disapproval at once, strong mer jike R. C. Dunn, L. C. Spooner and others demanding an apology. The speaker, a man of known spirit, resented the attack, but the dignity of hie position as speaker was not overlooked in the heat of the debate that ensued. He did make it clear that he was not the kind of a man to quietly accept an insult. Later a com- mittee consisting of R. C. Dunn, Louis C. Spooner and Albert Pfaender, the latter a Democrat, was appointed to imvestigate the matter. A statement was drawn up, which Mr. Klemer is understood to have accepted, in which he apologized for his unparliamentary Janguage and Representative Spooner stated on the floor of the house that in private conversation Mr. Klemer had admitted he had no evidence upon which to base his charge. tb + It was understood that Mr. Klemer, the next morning, would make his apology from the floor of the house. During the night men opposed to the epeaker, seeing in the affair an oppor- tunity to embarrass him, induced Mr. Kiemer to change his mind and the mext morning he presented another resolution, understood to have been @rawn up in Minneapolis. In this he asked for an investigation of his eharges, part of the committee to be mamed by himself. There are sixty- two committees in the house and most of the members, if not all of them, are en at Jeast five of them. Such a self imterrogation was patently an absurd- My and was frankly designed by Mr. Kiemer’s advisers to give Mr. Klemer a@ technical advantage. Friday morn- img RK. C. Dunn introduced a resolution censuring Mr. Kiemer for his charges, which were declared unfounded, and for his unparliamentary language. Rep- resentative W. I gave notice of debate. Under the rules of the house this meant that the mat- ter would lie over for twenty-four hours. R. C. Dunn moved a suspen- sion of the rules to the effect that the matter be taken up at once. A sus- pension of the rules requires a two- thirds vote and the motion to suspend received only sixty-eight votes, a clear majority, but lacking the necessary two-thirds r ape Friday night there were conferences of both sides of the controversy. The Klemer men met in room 307 of the capito! and it was decided to put the | next move up to the friends of the speaker. Saturday morning there was ly a small attendance and nothing was done. During the conference of the Kiemer men Friday night it was at first thought that Klemer should apologize for his unparliamentary lan guage, but not retract his charges The next move was to make no apol- ogy at all. The third plan was to leave the matter in the hands of floor leat- ers, like W I. Nolan, and await devel- opments. The friends of the speaker have been more insistent on an apol- egy than the speaker himself. The speaker's position is that the insult to the house is something that cannot be overlooked, as, for instance, the charge that R. C. Dunn picked the tax com- mittee, but the insult to himself is a persona! matter, “and I have got to be teo big to let that make any differ- ence,’ he said afterwards. “I shall put all that behind me.” This means that the house will probably insist that the house take some notice of the episode, but it will probably amount enly to a censure for the unparlia- mentary language used. While there are probably enough votes to expel the offending member from the house it is unlikely that this will be attempted. Mr. Kiemer appears to have stumbled $ato the trouble without really know- jug what it meant and has been waver- img backwards and forwards since, as different forms of advice have reached him. + + The senate, with forty-nine votes in favor of the bill, passed the direct pri- mary election law for state officers which beare the name of the elections | Nolan immediately | committee of the senate. In substance it is not different from the Democratic measure introduced by Senator John Moonan of Waseca. The bill provides for the direct nomination of all state officers, inciuding the governor. It also provides that, following the nomi- | nations, the candidates of! the party } shall assemble, for the. purpose. of formulating a ‘party platform: Still another provision is to the effect that the nominee, in order to be entitled to the benefit of the party designation on; the ballot, must have. received at least 10 per cent of the average vote cast for his party candidates in the last election. This percentage is so small that it will probably make little difference in keeping men of one party from participating in the nominations of another, but its provisions are made even less effective by a provision to the effect that if the candidate fails. to receive the required 10 per cent he | may still go on the ballot as the party candidate by petition. ‘van offered an amendment to the ef- fect that the candidates should bind themselves to stand by the platform they adopted. This was especially per- tinent in view of the fact that the leg- islative candidates will participate in making the platform The senate voted this down. + b bh Woman suffrage won a victory in the senate last week. After a spirited contest the bill was advanced to the calendar. ++ + The senate has passed the Putnam bill calling for the election of a non- partisan judiciary. It provides for a convention and other machinery, some- what cumbersome, but designed to bring about a result greatly desired. It is generally acknowledged that poli- tics should have no part in selecting the men who will sit on the bench in 80 great a state as Minnesota. It is ex- pected the house will so amend the Putnam bill that it will lose many of its objectionable features and become a measure more in keeping with the | will of the people. +e + Saturday was the last day for the introduction of bills in the house and senate. The day brought forth a large Dumber of belated measures, most of | which will have little or no chance even for consideration. The last bill introduced in the house was House File No. 1123. The mystic number of “23” caused considerable comment of a facetious nature. It was the num- ber of the new county option bill intro- duced by Representative Lundeen. hob. The county option bill of Mr. Lun- deen, a man who has been severely criticised because of his previous atti- tude on the question, provides that a county option, or “wet” or “dry” elec- tion, will be precipitated by a petition bearing the names of 25 per cent of the voters. Its chief provision is to the effect that if the county votes “dry” it shall be entirely “dry” and if it yotes “wet” it shall be wholly “wet.” In other words, it eliminates the prin- ciple of local option, which was a pro- vision of the last county option bill. Criticism was directed against the anti-saloon measure on the ground that it was not fair because if a county voted “wet” the principle of local op- tion still prevailed. Mr. Lundeen’s | bill is not expected to create much of a stir. The anti-optionists will oppose it and the optionists will hardly be in- clined to accept the new provision, ++ + | Reapportionment is expected to be | revived in the senate shortly. During the past week the veiled threat of the governor that he will call an extra session unless the senate makes a sin- cere effort to pass a reapportionment measure has created considerable ex- | citement. At firet the senators thought the governor was merely bluffing, but it is becoming noised abroad that the executive means just what he says and | insists that the party pledge be car- | ried out. He does not accept as an | excuse that the Democrats were in- | strumental in defeating the bill He |insists that the Republicans. as the | | majority party, will be held responsi- ble and that it is absolutely necessary | that something be done and if it is not done he will see that the responsibil- ity is placed where it really belongs | + + During the past week the reappor- tionists have been making a new move They have been canvassing the situa tion to see whether or not a combina tion between Northern Minnesota Re publicans who favor reapportionment and the Democrats of the Third dis- trict could not be made The basis of this proposed agreement is that the administration Republicans do not feel they are under obligations to consider the necessities and interests of the Southern: Minnesota Republicans who absented themselves from the confer ence which Governor Eberhart called to determine whether or not some sort of harmonious agreement could not be reached relative to the Congdon Dill +t +e The possibility of such a combina- tion has considerably worried the anti-reapportionment senators In the meantime a new bill is preparing and is expected to make its appearance in the senate some time this week It will have the names of some twelve or fifteen Republican senators as joint authors. Senators Rockne and Clague are said to be behind the measure It | wiil provide for 126 house members and will leave the senate membership as it is, but will be so arranged that Hennepin and the Northern Minnesota counties will have six additional mem. bers at the expense of the southern SENIORITY PLAN Senator Sulli-4. part of the state. DEFECTIVE PAGE WAS FOLLOWED Democrats Indorse Gannon Sys- | tem In Naming Committees, MANY PROTESTS ARE HEARD, Rumors of War Are Heard Daily, To- | gether With Prompt Denials—Hope | Expressed That President Taft Will’ Make Full Statement as to Meaning | _ of Movement of Troops. | By ARTHUR W. DUNN. | Washington, March 31.—[Speciai.]—| Although the committees as selected | by the Democratic members of the | ‘ways and means committee have art been officially announced, enough is| Known to show that the seniority meth od has been followed in nearly oir case in making the selections. “What have we been denouncing Cannon and Cannonism for,” asked oue of the Democrats, “if we turn around | and indorse his committee selections’ The seniority method simply conforms | to the appointments made by Camnon | in the last house. We have made 2 great to-do about the unjust and ar- bitrary method of making committee | selections by the speaker. Now, it) seems, we are to follow those selec- | tions.” Other comments of a similar nature have been heard, but it appears that | the committee found itself in very deep | water as soon as it began to consider | a general revision of committee as signments. In fact, it seems to be al most certain that the only practical | method of making committee assign- | ments by the new method is to adopt | the seniority rule. War News and Denials. We get a different war story every | day and denials of every scare story the next day. As soon as some one dis- covers a really startling situation and | sends it hurtling through the country there is a prompt denial, which makes | a new story necessary. Just now there is a hope that Presi- dent Taft will send a message to con- gress which will set at rest the many rumors that have been afloat about the movement of troops to the Mexi- ean border. At present it is not known with certainty whether the movement was asked by Mexico or whether it was started by our own people. Farmers Against Reciprocity. Congressman Hammond of Minneso- ta is one of the few members of the Democratic party who voted against Canadian reciprocity in the last house. He had already been selected as one of the members of the new ways and Means committee which is to make a tariff bill, and it is thought he burt himself with his party by his vote. Hammond recently visited his home state and returned amply satisfied with his vote. He represents an al- most wholly agricultural district, and he found that the farmers were against the reciprocity agreement. He alsu found that the attitude of the sena- tors and several insurgent congress- men from Minnesota against the Ca- nadian agreement assured his doubt- ing friends of the Democratic party that he was on the right track. Ham- jnond thinks he is indorsed at home. Power of Sentiment. x When the ways and means commit- tee began to consider the committees of the next house it was taken for granted that the ranking member of the committee on agriculture would not get the chairmanship. He was Congressman Lamb of Virginia, a man seventy years old and considered rath- er feeble for such an important place. But when they looked into his rec- ord and found that he had served through the civil war, was wounded three times and commanded his com- pany for three years it was discovered that they ‘“couldn’t turn down Lamb.” He is one of the few Confederate vet- erans still members of the house, and the sentiment of the southerners on the committee was too strong. And so Lamb was slated for the place. Gardner’s Frank Declarations. A truly unique statement is made by Congressman Gardner of Massachu- setts, who says that his attitude on Canadian reciprocity is likely to meet with a great deal of disapproval in his district. “I feel that there may be lively opposition to my return to con- gress if I present myself as a candi- date in 1912,” he says. For that reason he has determined to announce his views on sundry pub- lic questions. After so doing he closes by saying, “On many matters I have not yet formed a definite opinion, and I am unwilling to express views not yet matured.” Gardner was a determined opponent of the Canadian reciprocity agreement on account of its effect on the fishing interests. The New “Goat.” One thing about Mr. Hilles, who is to be secretary to the president, is that he acknowledges he is to be the “goat.” It may not be generally known that this expression comes from the Bible. Champ Clark knows it, for he knows nearly everything about the Bible, but it was Hilles who brought out the fact prominently when his appointment to the new position was made known. Hilles is the third secretary Mr. Taft bas had. Although he has not made} many changes in his cabinet, he seems | to have more difficulty in getting the kind of secretary he wants. | schedule. | cerned,” he replied. | bills will not pass the senate, and con- ‘DEMOCRATS TO REVISE TARIFF Program Provides For Changes of a Few Schedules, | SENATE NOT LIKE LIKELY TO AGT. Purpose Is to Show the Country What Democratic Intention 1s—Should Sen- ate Accept First Bills Others Will Be Passed—Friends Urge Cannon to Drop Minority Leadership Fight. By ARTHUR W. DUNN. } Washington, March 30.—[Special.J— Here is the Democratic program: The, Canadian reciprocity agreement is to be passed, and then bills revising dif- ferent schedules of the tariff will be | passed and sent to the senate. Prob- ably not more than four schedules will | be considered at the special session. | | They will be the woolen, cotton and | engin schedules and possibly the | metal schedule if there is not too much | | desire to adjourn before it is reached. The Democrats do not expect the! Republican senate to pass any of these | different bills. If the senate should! pass them, then more bills ‘will be sent | over. But enough bills will be pre- pared and passed to show the country | | | the purpose of the Democrats of the | house as regards the tariff. No Need of Alarm. I asked one of the leading Demo-| crats of the house if there would not | | be complaint among the manufactur- | | ers if their schedules were revised and | nothing was done with the chemical | it always having been the contention of the manufacturers that | | the chemicals which enter into their | manufactures make a great difference | in their cost. j “The manufacturers will not be con- | “They know these i | sequently they will not be injured. Of course if the senate should pass any | of the separate bills we would prompt- jly take up and pass a bill amending the chemical schedule. “But there is not much prospect of | anything of that kind happening. The | fact is we have got to go very slow in revising the tariff, for we must have in mind the needs of the treasury and not cut anything below the revenue | point.” Trying to Persuade Cannon. | Intimate political friends of ex- | Speaker Cannon are trying to persuade | him not to be a candidate for minor- ity leader. “No matter who is chosen for that place,” said one of the best | politicians in the house, “you will be the real leader of the minority and will not have any of the antagonisms which will follow if you are a candl- date for the place before the caucus.” The truth is that Cannon does not like to surrender to the demand of his | enemies in the Republican party. He does not like the idea of having La Follette, Vic Murdock, Hal Cooper and a lot of other insurgents crowing over | him and saying that he had to keep out of the fight. That was one reason why Cannon did not announce that he would not be a candidate for speaker more than a year ago. He didn’t like the idea | of running up the white flag. It would probably have saved several of his friends from defeat if they could bave announced that Cannon was no longer an issue, but that could not be said. “Loudy’s” Early Selection. “How did you come to get a room like that?” asked Congressman Lioyd of Missouri, addressing Congressman Loudenslager of New Jersey. “Why, as soon as one of our fellows | was defeated for renomination last summer,” replied “Loudy,” grinning, “I filed on his room, for I expected | that we would have to move after the election.” “I wish I had known that at the time,” said Lioyd, who managed the Democratic campaign. “I would have made good use of the knowledge. So you saw defeat coming early in the season?” “That's the way it looked to me.” replied the New Jersey man, who was secretary of the Republican commit- | tee. | A Bit Resentful. The Democrats did not like the pro- nunciamento or semiofficial statement from the White House as to what the | special session should do. Mr. Taft was quoted as having said that all congress would be expected to do was to pass the reciprocity agreement and provide a tariff board and adjourn. “Well,” said one of the Republican leaders to a member of the ways and means committee, “I see you have got your orders. You ought to be able to clear up all the business.and adjourn in about three days.” “We don” take orders from 2 Dem- ocratic president when we have one,” was the somewhat resentful reply, “and we're not going to have a Re- publican president boss us around and tell us what we shall and shall not do.” H Two Senate Vacancies. The prospects are for two if not three senate vacancies when congress as- sembles on April 4. Colorado and New York have failed to elect senators, and ft is possible that the Iowa legislature | will adjourn without electing a suc- jcessor to Lafe Young. The latter's ‘service will cease upon the adjourn- ment of the legislature. i | | Bring in your idea and we'll do the rest and guarantee good neat work. Full count is always given and the very best stock is used, PRICES ALWAYS Ri at the WHEN IN NEED OF JOB PRINTING CALL ON OR CALL UP THE Herald- lavien Herald EP PL ABELL ELL PELE EDD Lt PEREPEEEEEEEDELELEPDELEEEES CPEPIEDLEDEDPEPDEPEEPP DEP bh Oe IERIE LEIA L SEILER ELIANA ARE: DEPLODPSORESESESOSSEOOS ISOS ,