The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-03-03


start and insisted that he should be ap-
pointed, solely because he was the best
man for the place. After a long contro-
Fer5y President Roosevelt settled the
matter by the appointment Of Mr.. Bev-
eridge's candidate. The blow almost
killed Fairbanks. and politically the STATE
Of Indiana was set on FIRE by the contro-
Versy growing out Of this appointment.
Letter Shown President
The last scene was enacted only a few
days ago, when Senator Fairbanks went
to the White House and showed to Presi-
dent Roosevelt letter said to have been
written by Senator BeTeTidge 70 a friend
in Indiana and marked private and con-
hdential," in which he is said to hau
stated that he knew all the time tina
Baker would be appoin ed. and that there
vas no chance for any osher man from the
start. This. IT was pointed out TO the
President. meant that Beverage was
claiming 10 have had knowledge that the
fight which took place over the selection
OF judge was only a sham battle and
that Baker had been selected before il
began Beveridge's friends say that he
could not have said any such thing in a
expressing confidence in Bakers selection
was that his merits n ade him the right
man for the place and that he was sure
the President would zee the matter in
that light The Beveri lse men say, more
over, that even II the Senator had written
such a letter there was nothing improper
in it. and tina. the OILY person who had
laid himself open TO criticism was Fair
banks, who in some mysterious manner,
~ IL -
before the President, who, they think,
has a strong enough sense Of fairness to
have his own opinion about a man who
would do such a thing. Beveridge's
friends say there could have been no OBJ
jet in showing the letter 10 the Presi-
dent. except to discredit Beverage. and
they think that the shot missed its mark.
Struggle for Committees.
The talk about the presentation OF this
letter has revived the gossip that was
afoat in the Senate recently when the
committees we're organized. Beverage
quite properly aspired to one of the va
cant places on the Committee on Foreign
Relations. and many Of tn influential
Senators were disposed % crafty his
ambition, believing that he was well
fitted for the place because Of his ex-
Ldu1LlhE SLluE OF tue EdSlEEA Q4t1llG.-
and his prOtracted visits 70 our Asiatie
territory. which have given him a knowl-
edge OF the Philippines question possess
ed by very few men in public life. But
Fairbanks said, No" He claimed his
right Of seniority. and as that is para
mount in the Senate regardless OF other
considerations. he stepped into the va
cant place, nearly at the tail end Of the
majority list. and grimly smiled at his
defeated rival Beverage smiled. too.
and kept on saving wood with the result
that when the Steering Committee was
announced recently be found himself
member of il. This is the committee
that makes up the programme Of Senate
legislation. and the members WELD
power similar TO that exercised BY the
Speaker Of the House
The newspapers Of Indiana took up the
subject and exploited the fact that Bev-
eridge had obtained the whip hand Of his
Jealous rival and took delight in pointing
out the Importance Of the place on the
Steering Committee as compared with
membership on Foreign Relations This
was gall and norwood 20 the senior Sen
ator from Indiana whose Presidential
ambitions, and Vice Presidential ambi
tions for that matter, viii be very in
iurfousIy affected il the rank and file OF
the Republican party OF Indiana once
gets hold Of the idea. as they seem 10
be doing. that Beverage and not Fair
banks is the most prominent and inhu-
entail Republican from Indiana IN Wash
ingJOn.
Reelection Of Mr.. Fairbanks.
Fairbanks term as Senator viii expire
Oh March 8. 1903. and the Legislature that
49,