f!ij '( Tpt'HWI -"W- ynXMtly (
- -
.1
The Commoner.
SEPTEMBER If, 1910
v
"
ll
I
IK
V.
Nclgon said he would not commit himself until
be had consulted tho rules as to his powers.
"I think I shall retire," he said.
Mr. Nelson remained until tho secretary could
deliver the contents of the Madison resolution.
Tho three absentees refused to modify their
former communication or add anything to it.
Thereupon Mr. Nelson loft the room.
The notification given out by Chairman Nel
son that a meeting would be held in Chicago
next Tuesday and requesting attendance was
sent to all the members here. The five members
continued their deliberations.
Secretary Sleman of Washington, D. C, re
mained in the committee room.
Senator Fletcher of Florida was made 'chair
man pro. tem. The resolution offered by Senator
Purcell of North Dakota was then adopted by
the five members. It follows:
"Whereas, This committee, pursuant to ad
journment, met at 10 o'clock of this day with
Chairman Nelson in the chair and six members
present, including the chairman; and
"Whereas, There are three other members of
the committee, to-wit: Senator Sutherland and
Representatives McCall and Denby, in the city
and the building in which the committee is meet
ing; and
"Whereas, All possible effort has been made
without effect to induce said members to at
tend the session of the committee; and
"Whereas, The chairman withdrew from tho
committeo room and failed and neglected to
return after more than four hours' absence, and
has abandoned any connection with the com
mittee at this meeting, and has arbitrarily and
without any authority under the resolution cre
ating tho committee, or a vote of the committee,
given notice 'of a meeting of the committee in
the distant city of Chicago on Tuesday, Sep
tember 13 and is attempting to force an ad
journment to said city; now, therefore, be it
"Resolved, That under such circumstances it
is the duty of those present to make reports to
the congress of their findings in the matters
submitted to the committee, that all members
of the committee be authorized at any time be
fore the convening of the next session of con
gress to prepare and file such reports and find
ings as they desire."
Mr.. Graham then moved that the members of
the committee be authorized to say that the
findings be given out. Mr. Graham presented
tho report of the democrats and it was adopted
by a vive voce vote.
Mr. Madison asked leave to file a separate
report and findings, which was agreed to.
Mr. Madison then moved that both reports be
filed with Secretary Sleman, with instructions to
have the same printed and copies filed with the
secretary of the senate and the clerk of the
house of representatives.
Pursuant thereto copies of the democrats' re
ports and tho report of Mr. Madison were filed
with Mr. Sleman.
Mr. Purcell moved that if Secretary Sleman
did not file the reports he should return them
to Senator Fletcher, who will have them printed
. and filed.
The members then adjourned to meet at
Washington" December 3.
Representative Madison, speaking for himself
and the four .democratic members, said:
"The committee At its last session in Washing
ton adjourned to meet in Minneapolis Septem
ber 5 for the purpose of formulating reports to
congress. The committee met in pursuance of
this adjournment. There were eight members
present, constituting a majority. At tho request
of the chairman we adjourned to meet Septem
ber 7. We met in pursuance to the adjourn
ment, eight members of the committee being
present. Later Senator Sutherland and Repre
sentative McCall withdrew.
"The committee, after the transaction of cer
tain business, then voted without objection on
tho part of any member to take a recess until
today at 10 o'clock. At 10 o'clock we con
vened, Chairman Nelson in the chair. There
were six members present; also the secretary
of the committee, Mr. Sleman. Immediately
after calling the committee together the chair
man read a statement, the substance of which
was that certain members were not in the city
and that one of them, Senator Root, could not
be here until Tuesday, and said there was one
of two alternatives for us to adopt, either to
adjourn until Tuesday in Minneapolis or in
Chicago on Monday.
"The chairman stated he would entertain no
other motion except to adjourn, to which pro
test was made as arbitrary and unfair, and a
motion was made to instruct and empower the
secretary of the committee, Mr, Sleman, being
without a regular sergeant-at-arms, to bring in
Senator Sutherland, Representatives Denby and
McCall at onco to tho committee.
"Tho chairman said ho would entertain that
motion because he felt thero were two things
wo could do, one was to adjourn or to do what
wo could to secure tho attendance of tho abseut
members.
"We have been doing what we could to secure
tho attendanco of absent members. We have
insisted they should come to tho meeting and
engage In deliberations on tho committee report.
They have so far refused, There has never
been an attempt to transact other business, ex
cept that a motion was made to take a recess
to 2:30 p. m., which tho chairman declined to
put, but said he would lot como other member
put it if he desired. He repeated again that
the only thing we could do was to adjourn or
use such efforts that we could to compel tho
attendanco of a quorum.
"About 11:30 ho stated he desired to leavo
tho room on an errand and would bo back in
a minute. Tho committeo has not voted to
adjourn legally. It is legally in session. Tho
chairman has been here presiding over its de
liberations and retired with tho statement that
ho would soon return.
"Instead he has sent us, through tho secre
tary of the committee this notice: 'You aro
hereby notified that a meeting of the joint com
mittee to investigate tho department of the in
terior and its bureaus, officers and employes and
of forestry in the department of agriculture and
its officers and employes is hereby called to be
held In Chicago, Tuesday, September 13 at 10
o'clock, and you aro hereby requested to bo in
attendance.'
"Of course the cha'irman has no authority un
der the resolution on which the committee has
acted to adjourn the committeo to any tirao
or place, and his action in this respect is un
accountable and absolutely without authority.
"The only thing that we have insisted on is
that all the members should be present and
discharge tho duty incumbent on us under the
resolution authorizing tho creation of the com
mittee. We object to being hauled- about over
the country and object to unreasonable delays
to secure the presence of absent members. It
was as much their duty to be here the morning
of September 5 as ours."
A dispatch, dated Washington, September 9,
says: "Word was received at the department of
the interior today from Secretary Balllnger that
he expects to arrive here on September 24. It
is understood President Taft expects to call his
cabinet together here on September 21, in which
event his secretary of the interior will be unable
to attend."
RAILROADS INSTRUCT HMI'LOVKS
In tho letter written by 12. P. Ripley, preal
dont of tho Santa Fo railroad to tho oinploycu
of that company, Mr. Riploy says:
"Various letters from employes havo reached
mo asking for Information as to tho wishes of
tho management In political matters. For ob
vious reasons theso could not bo answered.
"As every employe knows, this company has
consistently refused to bo mixed up in political
questions or to attempt In any manner to In
fluence the votes of its employes. It Is not tho
intention to dovlnte from thb policy. No ques
tions will bo asked of any employe before elec
tion how ho will voto, nor after election how ho
did vote. Each man must bo guided by his ? ..
own convictions as to what Is right in prluclplo, ""
iwiu now ma nuuruHiH win uc aiiccicu uy iu&
vnln .s
f
vote.
"Yet In these days whon the domago'ic i
in evidence, and unjust attacks aro bolntf m'.do
upon tho railroads, I may properly sup'gost that
you consldor well what Influence youv voto will
havo upon the future. Certain candidates aro
asking for election on tho ground that further
regulation is necessary, and further reduction
of rates. You know or can ascertain tho
history and record of the various candidates.
You know who Is anti-railroad and who is con
servative. "Tho Santa Fo has no candidate for any office.
It has no Interest In tho success or defeat of any
political party, but I do not hesitate to say that
its interests and yours will bo conserved if Its
employes cast their votes solidly against thoso
who stand for anti-railroad legislation and who
seok to build themselves up upon that platform."
FRANCES HARTHOLOMEW
MIbs Frances Bartholomew of Philadelphia
has undertaken to save two hundred children
inmates of disreputable houses and dens of vice,
in the district lying in the net work of courts
and alloys in what Is known in Philadelphia
as "Hell's Half Aero." Some terrible stories
are told of conditions in Philadelphia and this
good woman is certainly entitled to the good
wishes and the hearty co-operation of all men
and women
The name of Frances Bartholomew will bo
written high in tho hearts of the fathers and
mothers of America for
"I think that taking a little child
And bringing him to his own
Is a derncd sight better business
Than loafing around tho throne."
The Commoner's Million Army
In the campaign of 1908 The Commoner's
Million Army rendered distinguished service to
the cause of democracy and it may well be be
lieved that a similar organization will even be
able to do better work in the year of 1910 now
that men who were heretofore indifferent aro
aroused to the Importance of action.
If half Of tho readers of Tho Commoner would
take active interest in tho organization of this
Million Army plan, the results would be imme
diately noticeable and the contribution to tho
welfare of popular government would bo
enormous.
Many individuals are willing to help in a
patriotic movement but find It difficult to know
Just what to do to make their efforts count. In
a struggle such as the one we are now engaging
in, the efforts of every man, woman and child
on tho side of popular government will count
and in The Commoner's Million Army a practi
cal plan is presented whereby the efforts cf many
individuals may be aggregated and used with
telling effect.
APPLICATION BLANK
go
M O O
an
a
I
a
i.
The Commoner's Million Army
r hereby enlist lit The Commoner1 Million Army, ami pledge my annlntattce to
ecctirc the nomination of only worthy and incorruptible men a democratic can'
diilateu; that I will attend democratic -primariem and nominating convention, and
ansist in promoting tlie great democratic campaign of education by devoting area
uonable share o my time to the. dittribulion of literature, M will recommend
worthy pemont for membership in The Commoner' JUillton Army, ttnd in any way
X can assist to increase the usefulness of thin organisation.
Signed
Address.,
WlUi Uie understanding that Mr. nryan agrees to accept annual jrubscripUoiur to Tho Commoner from
members of this Army at a net rate of C5 cent each, and tliat each subscription to The Cnmmnnor shall ln
cluiio a subscription to Tho American Homestead, (a strong homo and farm paper) thin leaving Tho
Commoner free to dovot Us undivided efforts to pollUcal mutters and current events 1 enclose herewith
C5 cents for ono annual subscription to Tho Commoner (Including Tho American nomertead).
If you aro already a subscriber to Tho Commoner and do not caro to eitend your expiration dat at
this time, tho last paragraph above may bo disregarded.
t
1
l
i
M
I
R3,
1
vjbhfti.