The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-06-20
CREAM of the SPECIALS
SUGAR PLOT TO
 BEAT ROOSEVELT.
Senatorial Clique Using Cuban Bill to Prevent Nomination of
 President.

President.
 From Washington D. O to Chicago It begins to look as if the Senatorial toward the discontinue of President Roosevelt Is likely to be successful. There is now no doubt of the fact that the en- tire campaign against Cuban reciprocity. ed, has for it's entire objection the dis crediting' of the President.
 For a long time it has been known that
 a clique of fifteen or twenty Senators was determined to beat Colonel Roose- welt whenever they could do so in such a way as to do him political injury. This has been an open secret and 1t has only recently become apparent that the Cuban reciprocity measure has been made the basis of this personal ahimosity toward the President. This anmosity, of course Is more political than personal, but it Is directed entirely toward a renomination of President Roosevelt.
 The leader in this Senatorial combine undoubtedly is Senator Elkins of West Virginia, whose opposition or antagonism to the President has been well known all winter. He moves in mysterious way his wonders to perform" and to cover his tracks had the West Virginia Con vention pass a resolution indorsing the Presidents administration. At the same time the senior Senator from West Vir- ginia, State which never has raised any beet sugar and never will, has become the champion of the anti-administration forces. The old Senators now admit with out hesitation that the purpose of the present campaign in the Senate is en- tireiy antagonistic to the President. It has been hoped by the conspirators that if they could beat the Cuban reel procity scheme it would serve to discred . it the President in the eyes of the people
 and make them believe he had no influ- ence in Congress. Up to the present time this attack on the President has been skilIfully yelled. but within the last two or three days. under the leadership of Elkins the personal factor has been con- stantly in evidence, and there is now no doubt in the minds of those who are stbying the situation that If Cuban re- ciprocity is beaten. as now seems likely. it will be as the result of Senatorial cabal which has for it's sole object the defeat of Theodore Roosevelt for the Re- publican nomination in 1904.
 There is no authority for saying that the President and his close associates are aware of tho Senatorial conspiracy against him. It Is, however, almost im- possible that they should be ignorant of it's purpose. because every one at the capitol understands that there is no great objection to reciprocity with Cuba. and that under ordinary circumstances party discipline would be amply sufficient to pass such measure sustained. as 1t is by the official message of two Repub lican Presidents.
 President Roosevelt's friends, however. have not been idle. They propose to see that the facts in the matter are properly presented to the people. and that the vot- CTS Of the country shall understand that the President Is being made the victim of political methods of coterie of Re publican Senators who desire to defeat him for the nomination. because they know he is unwilling to become a party to any of their schemes.
 The issue has Gome sooner than was expected. Every one has known for long time that number of Senators were ready to attack the President when- ever they had chance, but it was not supposed they would do so for some time to come. The beet sugar men desire to keep the issue alive. if possible, and have suggested the feasibility of negotiating a treaty with Cuba providing for reciproc- ity. The purpose of this suggestion Is at once evident. Such a treaty would re- auire two-thirds vote of the Senate. That would mean all the Republicans and some of the Democrats.
 The Senatorial conspirators desire the President to negotiate a treaty with Cuba I for the express purpose of giving him black eye in the Senate and thus dis credit him with the people,
 The President has no notion of being decoyed into such a trap and proposes to stand just where he is at present He has recommended a law providing for reciprocity with Cuba, just as President McKinley recommended 1t, and if Con- gress does not follow his recommends ton he is perfectly willing to leave the responsibility with the people of the Uni ted States. His friends are equally con the President will be sustained. and that there will be a reaction against the Sen atorIaI cabal which will make his noml- nation in 1904 inevitable.