The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-03-05
CALIFORNIA PLUM IS
STILL OUT OF REACH
President WlthhOldS De-
ciSiOn in Naval Case.
COL. IRISH OR SAM" WOODS
Political Orthodoxy of the Latter is
Now Questioned and the Former
Hopes to Continue in Office.

President Roosevelt * Withholding his
decision in the naval citizenship case at
San Francisco until he can obtain fur
ther information as to the accuracy Of
certain criticisms and objections filed
against Representative Samuel D.
Woods. who is strongly backed for the
place in succession to the incumbent.
Col. John ?. Irish The Presidents at
tcntion has been called TO allegations
coming from the Pacific Coats that Mr..
Woods has not at all times been strict
~ orthodox in his political sentiments
and utterances.
This latest development OF the fight
has caused the friends OF Colonel Irish
10 take hope again. as offsetting the ar
guments heretofore used against the in
cumbent's retention in OfnCe-that he
was a Gold Democrat. and could talk as
we'll on one side Of any political question
as the other. While. so far as can be as
certained. the Irish partisans have not
directly preferred the recent charges
against Woods they are represented as
being entirely complacent while viewing
the discontinue Of the opposing cand.-
date.
Woods is Much Endorsed.
Woods has received the Endorsement OF
! the California delegation in Congress
/ and Senator's Perkins and Bard and Rep
/ resentative Metcalf have been assiduous
/ in urging his name before the President.
! The candidate has also been indorsed By
| seventy members OF the California Legs
/ lature. a number sufficient to elect a
/ United States Senator. He seems. there
| fore. to have about as strong political
/ backing from those who know his record
as any man could well hope to have.
! The charges against him might not oc,
| casion such general attention and arouse
the Presidents special interest, were It
not for the fact that the unorthodoN
views attributed to him concern the sub
ject OF Cuban reciprocity. When Con-
| gress adjourned last July. the Cuban
matter was left high and dry without
| action. The question was known TO have
| strong Administration backing. but had
not then. OF course. become so import
ant as to occasion an extra session The
members of the California delegation re-
turned home. and had no sooner reached
the coast, than they were given a ban
quet in San Francisco, at the Union
League Club.
A Significant Speech.
! Representative Woods. was one OF th'
speakers. and touched upon the Presi
dent and his policy rather freely. accord
ing TO the story. The Republicans pres
ent thought il best not TO repeat wha
had occurred, and no mention of the in
cident was made in the PAPERS the mex
day. Four days later. however, the Eek
aminer'' printed an extended accoun
purporting 10 reflect what Representa-
tive Woods had said at the banquet
The impression created by the articl'
was that a Republican member of Con
gress had taken issue rather strongl,
with the President.
This IS what M Woods now has 4
explain His friends say II is eviden
from the article. which some kim
friend" brought TO the Presidents atten
ton at the critical moment. that parti
san bias is responsible for the twist Civ
en- his remarks. The original speech
they say. was understood we'll enoug
by those who heard Il. and who knew IN
speaker was not criticising Presiden
Roosevelt They declare the latest tur
in the contest is only political buncombe
Meanwhile Colonel Irish remains 81
town. looking determined. and sayin
nothing.
I