State Makes Knowledge Illegal

In the closing days of this last Congress, a bill was quietly passed to reinforce the power of the Federal Government. This bill made it illegal to either possess or attempt to procure information regarding national defense that one would not ordinarily be allowed to have (I.E. that the Federals didn't say you can have). While the specifics of the law spell out such things as sketches and photographs, they also mention knowledge of an undefined nature. So now it is illegal for American "citizens" to know how the army will go about defending the rights of the Capitalists. This is an atrocity! How can the Federal Government claim to represent the people if it makes it illegal to know how it oppresses the people?

This insidious law whose sole aim is to squash the masses a little more under the boot heel must be resisted. Knowledge is not something that can be regulated. It must be free. Only by the free exchange of knowledge can we all see this world for what it is and liberate ourselves from such oppressions. This means the statists and capitalists know this, and specifically passed this law to further entrench themselves. We must resist this maneuver. This precious knowledge of "national defense" must be made available to all. To this end please, if you have such knowledge, share it, show it to as many people as possible, give it to the newspapers, do whatever must be done to get it out there! Only by making sure every one knows these "precious secrets" can we invalidate this insidious law. Only than can we be free. No gods, No masters!

Army Spies In U.S. Find New Law For Them [Bisbee Daily Review]

Congress Convenes in Special Session

A special session of the new 62nd Congress opened yesterday with the swearing in of new Senators and a new speaker of the house, Champ Clark (D-MO).  The Democrats take power after sixteen years of gracious Republican stewardship of Washington politics.  The special session was called by President Taft to finish work left over from the previous Congress, such as a tariff commission and the free-trade treaty with Canada. 

Vice President Sherman swore in yesterday the 31 new and re-elected Senators, where the margin of the Republican majority was cut to eight by the mid-term elections.  According to the Democrat-leaning Washington Herald, this narrow majority would give the insurgents the swing votes they need to put several of their members in key committee chairmanships, as was witnessed yesterday.  These Republicans-in-name-only could potentially disrupt Taft's legislative agenda for the session.

Seventeen new Senators were among those sworn in.  These included: James O'Gorman, who was elected just last week by the New York Legislature after 64 ballots; Charles Johnson, from Maine, a rare New England Democratic Senator; John Kern, who replaces the same Beveridge who dogged Lorimer in the last session; and Republican Henry Lippit who replaces the venerable Nelson Aldrich.  One interesting moment occurred near the end of the day when Senator Kern was invited to preside over the Senate by Vice President Sherman.  Kern failed in the 1908 election in his bid to be vice president.

Champ Clark gaveled the House to order at noon yesterday to begin the Democratic reign over that chamber.  Raucous cries and obscene rebel yells were heard in the House with two likely Presidential Candidates, Nebraska statesman William Jennings Bryan and Ohio Governor Judson Harmon, who finally met in the House Gallery, looking on.  Afterward, Clark outlined the Democratic agenda which includes a downward revision of the tariff, a constitutional amendment allowing for the direct election of Senators, the reduction of waste and extravagance in public expenditures, the publication of campaign contributions and disbursements, and the admission of Arizona and New Mexico as states in the Union.  Not mentioned is the Canadian free-trade bill, though it was introduced in the House by Representative Samuel McCall (R-MA) yesterday.

Link: Congress Begins Business of Special Session [The Washington Herald]

King Senate

The United States Government is no better than a monarchy. According to the Bisbee Daily Review, there is a room in the Senate offices in Washington D.C. that has never been used. This room is jokingly refered to as the "throne room" because of its opulent nature. Even under its official name as the Caucus room, it is still dangerous. This room is a powerful symbol. Even though it is currently not used, the fact that it exists shows the imperial ambitions of the United States Government.

Why would a government need a "Throne Room" unless it intended to rule as a monarch does? The Senate isn't even hiding its lust for power from us any more. It openly admits to its desires and the masses simply look the other way. They show us the true nature of any government, that is to be authoritarian and to impose their will on others. But what gave them this right? Two things did: money and arms. With money they purchase people and build this monstrosity of a "room." With arms they coerced the dissenter into accepting their rule. So this "Throne Room" is really no better than any throne room in Europe, and neither is the government. It has used the same tricks to get power those governments in Europe used. It has built the same inane edifices to its own power. And it will rule us just the same as Europe would, without mercy and at the rule of the rich.

Keep this in mind, comrades. You can't claim you didn't know now. They are showing you their true nature. Now all we must do it, look at it and respond. The real question will be whether we choose to follow our nature and reject this waste of time, or if we embrace the lie they are selling us. Let us hope that we choose wisely.

Throne Room of the Senate A Rich Waste [The Bisbee Daily Review]

Democrats arrive in force in Washington as New Session Nears

Tomorrow brings the start of the special session of the new 62nd Congress, and congressmen and senators are starting to arrive in the capital city.  Of particular fascination are the Democrats, both federal and state level officials who are in town to inaugurate the first Democratic House of Representatives in sixteen years.

Among the Democratic dignitaries in town or rumored to be coming to town are three-time Presidential loser William Jennings Bryan, New Jersey Governor Woodrow Wilson, New York Governor John Dix, and Ohio Governor Judson Harmon, who won re-election last fall by defeating Marion, Ohio newspaper magnate, Warren Harding.  These men are in town to meet with the new Democratic congressmen in hopes of possibly bring back money to their states or just to remind people of their relevancy (in the case of Bryan).

The optimistic rabble met in many a downtown Washington hotel.  Among these according to the Washington Herald include the New Willard where Bryan and Harmon entertained guests.  However, they didn't seem to meet despite being on the same floor.  A popular new senator among the celebrities in Washington was New York Senator-elect James O'Gorman, who was elected Friday after a two and a half month stalemate in the state legislature. He met with Harmon and several representatives, including John Fitzgerald of New York and James Cox of Ohio, at the New Willard.  A reception in Washington for O'Gorman is planned for Thursday.  Bryan had dinner with two new Democratic congressmen from Michigan as well as his 1908 Presidential running mate, John Kern.

The focus around these Democratic celebrities is not without some tinge of Presidential gamesmanship.  There is already speculation that the new House Speaker Champ Clark, Governor Wilson, and Governor Harmon might throw their hat into the ring to unseat President Taft next year.  It is also within the realm of possibility that Bryan may do so as well, though at this point, only a sadist would support a Bryan candidacy now.  Harmon denied that his visit to Washington was to further his presidential ambitions, but instead he was to appear before the Supreme Court as a lawyer for the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway.

Another focus is the upcoming legislative agenda which includes Canadian reciprocity, a constitutional amendment for the direct election of Senators, campaign finance reform, government spending cuts (including a commission to look into government waste), the admission of Arizona and New Mexico, and administrative reform.  There is optimism within the Democratic caucus and within the assembled Democratic dignitaries that this agenda can be accomplished during the special session opening tomorrow.  The session is expected to last through December.

Link: Democrat Chiefs Start Work for New Legislation [The Washington Herald]

Federalist Take Over

Congress is at it again, comrades. According to today's Bisbee Daily Review, Congress is attempting to revoke rights not only of the state but of the individual. Power hungry lapdogs of the Capitalists have begun drafting laws that would change the entire way the militias work in this land. Whereas before the militia was under the command of the state it was from and could be lent to the federal government, with appropriate approval from the state government, now the president would be able to call up state militias without the consent of the state government. In essence, the federal government will be usurping the sovereignty of the states! The statist dogs in Washington claim it is necessary for national defense, that if left to our own devices, we wont help them in times of emergency. Maybe they are right! They know we won't tolerate their rule forever, so they are moving to cement their power, to remove our avenues of asserting our freedom. They would even press-gang any militia man who disagrees with this new law, requiring him to stay with the service against his will even though they are changing the rules to the game. Making him into a slave!

Originally, a militia was a beautiful example of anarchist theory in action. Minimal hierarchy internally, agreed on officers, and voluntary. Under this new set of laws, it will become just another hierarchical arm of the state. No more will it represent neighbors banding together to protect and help each other. It will be just another method of coercing compliance utilized by Capital in its attempts to gain ever increasing power!

Our militias should represent us as a people, not the wishes of a power hungry despot in Washington. As such I urge every person, band together. Speak out! Inform our overlords we will not accept this! We have to remind them that the militia is there for us. It is of us. It will always serve us. If this law goes through they are building their own power on our backs and that action is immoral, unethical, and will not be tolerated! No gods, No masters!

New Methods Needed In Dealing With Militia [The Bisbee Daily Review]

Peace coming this week in Mexico as US troops head to border

The New York Tribune and Washington Herald both expect good results from an upcoming conference between Mexican President Porfirio Diaz and Finance Minister Jose Limantour this week.  It is hoped that cabinet changes and promises for more reforms from the Diaz government will appease the rebels.  At these meetings Limantour will present an explanation of the rebels demands.

These meetings coincide with a pair of developments on this side of the border:

The Washington Herald reports that most of the troops currently stationed at Fort Sam Houston are now headed to the US border with Mexico.  15,000 troops, under the command of Maj. General William Carter, will begin maneuvers along the border after leaving the fort tomorrow morning.  The first detachment, thought to be the 11th Calvary, are headed west via the Southern Pacific toward El Paso.  The other troops are headed to points unknown along the Rio Grande and as far west as Arizona.  The goals of this maneuver seem to be to cut the flow of arms and ammunition to the insurrectos in Mexico.  The troops will also be monitoring the border for incursions by rebels and federals after reports that some fighting along the border had leaked to the US side. 

Of particularly concern is a danger to a bridge along the Pecos River near Viaduct, Texas, less than 10 miles from the border.  The calvary detachment is thought to be moving to act as guards for the bridge which could take as much as a year to replace if damaged by fighting between the Mexican sides.  The military will also seek to cut off supplies to the rebel base at Presidio del Norte, just across the Rio Grande from El Oro, Texas.  El Oro, Del Rio, and Marfa, a Texas town 50 miles to the north, are thought to be supply conduits between the rebels and their supporters here in the United States.

President Taft returned to Washington this afternoon after spending some vacation time in Augusta, Georgia.  Immediately upon his return, he met with Mexican Ambassador de la Berra and War Secretary Jacob Dickinson as well as delivered a message to congress on his priorities for the special session that will start on April 4.  Taft made no suggestion that U.S. troops were poised to cross the border, and he and Secretary Dickinson referred to the new troops movements as mere "maneuvers" and that they were not ready to begin operations in Mexico.  The President said that he was meeting the Mexican ambassador this afternoon but provide no details on what was discussed.  Interior Secretary Fisher, Commerce and Labor Secretary Nagel, and Army Chief of Staff Leonard Wood also met with the president today to discuss the Mexican situation.

The president also delivered a list of his priorities for next month's special session of Congress.  He expects the Canadian reciprocity bill to be treated first with prompt approval followed by a new tariff commission.  Any other acts to reform the current tariff system will be met with prompt vetos unless they come via recommendations from the commission's reports.  Democrats have scoffed at this proviso, believing the president is merely stalling action on tariff reform as such committee recommendations could take months if not years to complete.  A report on wool tariffs is not expected until December and is the only report pending.

Link: Peace in Mexico May Come This Week [The New York Tribune]
Link: All U.S. Troops to be Rushed to Mexican Border [The Washington Herald]
Link: Confabs on Mexico Begin Immediately at the White House [The Washington Times]
Link: Democrats Gloat over President's Tariff Ultimatum [The Washington Times]