East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1905-06-10

Recently Ex-senator William E.
Chandler, of New Hampshire, sent a
card to the New York sun in which
he predicted the democrats would
nominate Roosevelt for president
three years hence, that the republi-
cans would be compelled to indorse
that nomination or get walloped at
the. national election, and that no
matter how often he might declare
he would not be a candidate for an
other term, Mr.. Roosevelt would be
compelled to accept the nomination.
Since the appearance of that card
Mr.. Chandler has been accused of try
ing to pose as a humorist.
Really, he does not expect the coun-
try to take such statements seriously,
but Mr., Chandler says that what he
has to say on the subject has been
so extensively commented upon that
there is danger Of his losing prestige
IF ever a man gets a reputation of
being funny" said Mr., Chandler as
he was leaving the White House after
a call upon the president, "he will
suffer in the public estimation. 1t
was fatal to Sunset Cox and others"
Having served for a number of
years on the senate interstate COM
merce committee, Mr.. Chandler was
naturally deeply interested in the
hearings on the railroad rate ques-
ton, which began April II and con-
tinued several weeks. 1t is his opin-
ion this committee will formulate
some sort of bill to be reported next
session.
II have a pretty we'll defined idea,"
said Mr.. Chandler. that the measure,
if not exactly along the lines of the
Esch-Townsend bill. passed by the
house last session. will, in effect, en-
power the interstate commerce COM
mission to fix rates, and those rates
will be allowed to continue until they
are changed by the courts"
In further discussing the matter,
Mr.. Chandler said:
"A most peculiar condition of af-
fairs exists at present. President
Roosevelt is intensely in earnest in
demanding that congress shall legis-
late upon the railroad rate question.
But to carry out his policy in this re-
gard he will be compelled to rely to
a great extent upon the democrats of
the senate.
Indeed, l may say, that unless the
senate democrats are most solidly in
favor of this policy there is no hope
for legislation such as the president
is believed to be in favor of. In view
Of Bryan's contention that Roose-
welt is battling for democratic princi-
Piles and that he should be upheld by
democrats in congress, I do not see
how the democrats of the senate can
fail to. toe the mark.
And does it not seem odd that a
republican president elected by such
a tremendous majority cannot at the
start rely upon the senators of his
own political faith, instead of having
to depend upon the minority to stanC
by him in a contest that promises tC
be the most stubbornly fought in re-
cent years?"
Mr.. Chandler takes it for granted
that all of the democratic member
of the committee will be found in ia
vor of the presidents policy. H,
thinks Mr.. Cullom is likely to sid
that Clapp and Dolliver. If they d.
not feel like getting too thick will
democrats, will at least not be linet
up with Elkins, Aldrich, Kean ant
Foraker.
AS Mr.. Chandler makes no bone
of being fierce opponent of railroad
men and the corporations generally
he says a terrible struggle will b.
made by the railroad people to pro
cure legislation supposed by the pub
lie to suit the president, but in real
ity more to the liking of the railroat
companies. The ex-senator has al
ways claimed that he was retire.
from congress by reason of the rail
road influence in New England
Some people have accused him of be
ing so bitter on the subject that h
has suffered for many years fror
some form of what they call railroad