The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-06-16
UIsGRACEFUL DICKERING AND
BARGAINING.

The present Governor of Illinois is the
son of great man. 1t was his name that
gave him the nomination and nothing he
has done. AS Governor he has. as a small
man, ratified around in a big place. Pet
ty politics. small cunning, and unworthy
manipulations have chiefly occupied his
time He has usually been on the big
side and his success has caused him to
aspire to another term to what was once
an office filled by great men-Trumbull
Yates, Palmer, Altgelu. To show how
small a man Governor Yates is we print
the following story, vouched for by the
Washington Post:
illinois politicians are discussing with
much interest an alleged attempt on the
part of Governor Yates to secure the sup
port Of Senator Cullom for denomination
for Governor of Illinois. According to the
story, Governor Yates made direct prop
osition to Senator Cullom on the occasion
of President Roosevelt's visit to Spring
field, in the presence of Mr. Roosevelt
1t is said that both Senator Cullom and
the President declined to entertain Yates
proposition at first The incident occurred
at the tomb of Lincoln when only Presi-
dent Roosevelt. Governor Yates, Senator
Cullom. and Mr.. Leob, the Presidents
secretary, were present. The four are said
to have been standing at the sarcophagus
which held the remains Of the martyred
President until two years ago, when the
body was buried beneath the stone floor
of the tomb. While they were there, with
the other members of the party on the
outside of the monument, it is said that
Governor Yates interrupted the silence of
the monument by saying:
"Mr. President, in your presence I de-
sire to say to you and to Senator Cullom
that am for Senator Cullom for another
term as United States Senator. 1 want to
ask him here. in your presence, to give
me his support for a second term as gov
ernor"
ut is said that both the President and
Senator Cullom were surprised by the I'M
expected proposition. Cullom was first
to speak
why, Dick" he is credited with saying
"this is neither the time nor the place to
discuss such a matter"
President Roosevelt then spoke. and
it is said, explained that while he was in
favor Of absolute harmony in Republican
ranks in Illinois, he did not desire to be
come a party to any plan or agreement
and did not desire to enter into any fac
tlOnal fight in State politics
Nothing more was said on the subject,
and the four returned from the monument
to their carriage and in silence rode to the
armory, where President Roosevelt was
to speak. After arriving at the armory.
Governor Yates was the first to address
the crowd, and he proceeded to pay a
glowing tribute to the character and worth
of Senator Cullom. The story of the con
versation referred to is vouched for by
more than one person, who claims to have
received it direct from one of the four
Wemoers of the party"
Not even an occasion that ought to have
been inspiring to an Illinois Republican
could cause the little Governor to rise out
of his petty scheming. 1t is to the credit
of Senator Cullom, who is in many re-
spects a big man, that he gave a fatherly
rebuke to the little fellow. thus saving
the President from embarrassment.