The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-12-16
STRONG AS HE IS. THE PRESIDENT
CANNOT IGNORE THE POW
Err OF CONGRESS
A REBELLION IS BREWING
Cutting Out of Political influence in
Appointments Is Sure to Cause
the President More or
Less Trouble
ROOSEVELT MAY GO TOO FAR
FROM THE GLOBE BUREAU,
WRshington, d. G.

Washington, IL. u.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 15.-The fact that
conditions are ripening for friction be-
tween the leaders in congress and the
president cannot be disguised Open hos
tility may not come; but it seems GER
tain that everything isn't going to be
as "lovely as a summers day. The
older members point Of service in both
senate and house do not like to be told
where to get Off" and already some
of them are chatting under things that
have been done and said. The disposi-
ton has been to grin and bear some
things, but persons who have observed
the ways of congress for a good mary
years declare this policy Is not likely to
be followed much longer.
The message of the president received
the cordial Endorsement of all the in
huential leaders, and there was a move
ment without delay to put into effect
many of the moro. important recomnlSn-
dations he made. The message had sucn
a soothing effect that it seemed har-
mony was to prevail, but little things
have transpired recently that have tend
ed to put many of the lawmakers out
of humor
The announcement from the White
house several weeks ago that political
influence was not to count in making ap-
pointments in the army and navy was
accepted graciously, for it was esteemed
as good doctrine: but the Post an
nouncement that word from senator
or representative in favor of an army
officer seeking promotion would be
detriment to the mans case did not take
well.
Roosevelt Takes Advice, but
On top Of these notices has come the
announcement by the president that in
making judicial appointments he was
70 +ulyo odxr nf orc
representatives, but after all would make
the appointments on his own analya.s
of a mans fitness and qualifications. No
one questions his right to do this. Many
public men say frankly he is in the
right; but nevertheless it isn't what the
senators and representatives have been
accustomed to, and they do not relish
It, Members of the house do not
care so much, but the senators, with
their unbending official dignity, are say
ing things.
1t seems evident that there would be
open resentment in the senate except for
the fact that the public apparently in
dorses the course of the president. The
people, it is pointed out, certainly like
his way of doings things and his frank,
off-hand way of saying things; and so
any open revolt would probably bring
forth much criticism. The peacenake1E
are declaring that in a little while pub
lie men will come to understand the
president better, and that when they do
everything will be harmonious.
Indiana VIII Not Revolt.
1t may be said that, if there should be
any revolt among the legislators against
the president, it would not receive the
sanction of any Of the Indiana senators
or representatives. It would be idle to
say that the appointment of judge did
not leave some sore spots. Some persons
have been looking to Senator Hanna to
lead a revolt against the president, but
he is disposed to be a peacemaker. He
has been busy discouraging any open crit
iciSm Of the president. He is insisting
that every Republican senator and repre-
sentative owes it to the president to be
loyal to him. He holds, it is understood,
that the president, in pursuing what may
be termed an Independent course is not
seeking to pull anybody down or to build
anybody up.
The proposition to pension the widow of
Gen. Harrison is awaiting developments
A bill has not been prepared, and mono
will be offered unless there is reasonable
assurance that congress will pass it. The
friends of Mrs. HarriSon-and there are
many of them among the public men
Eere-feel that it would be embarrassing
to her if congress should reject a bill. The
within few days a decision WILL no
doubt be reached. 1t is not understood
here that Mrs. Harrison is personally
urging congress to act. The movement,
1f members are correctly informed, orig
mated with her friends, who had an inl.
pr ession that there was a precedent for
such action and who felt that since the
government was in the habit of ~emem-
herring the WIDOWS Of presidents there
ought not to be an exception in this case
Investigation has showl, however, that
congress has rarely undertaken to pro
vide pensions for widows of presidents
unless it was shown that there was real
need Of assistance. Russell B. Harrison
is not aggressively opposing the proposed
pension, but he has said to senator's and
representatives that he hoped nothing of
the kind would be done. Mr.. Mckee,
the generals son-in-law. has written
from Boston that he will come here to
work against the passage of the bill If
one should be introduced. Up to date
the members of the Indianapolis delega-
tion are passive in the matter.