The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-12-12
Tuesday. December II, 1905
THE RAILWAY RATE BILL.

the president occasionally of a Ro )s-
eyeft democrat or even of a McKin-
ley democrat bu.: they think the limit
of forbearance is reached when he
gives an office to a rampant Bryan
lite and at this they register a kick.
We can't say that we blame them.
Mr.. R~6osevelt's appointment of Mr..
Lane, of California, to a position on
the Interstate commission
has stirred the ire Of a good many
republicans. He is said to be a most
ardent follower of Mr.. Bryan End
rabid advocate of that politicians
political principles.
A leading republican is quoted as
saying that 1.-The president seems to
be so anxious 10 get the credit for
jamming rate legislation through con-
gress that he is willing to make trades
with the democrats to accomplish his
purpose. If Mr.. Lane were a Roose-
welt democrat or q Mckinley democrat
it might be excusable but / under
stand that he is a rampant Bryan
democrat"
This sticks in the craw of many re-
publicans. They cannot stand Their
presidents attempt to curry favor
with this class of their political oppo-
nents; and they attribute the presi-
dents action in this case to a desire
to curry favor with the extreme ele-
ment Of the democratic party in order
to secure its support in ongres OF
his pet scheme for stringent legisIa-
railway traffic oy the national govern
ent
We reckon they are correct in their
surmise. They as we'll as the presI-
dent know that the latter cannot Sc
cure the passage through congress of
his desired legislation without demo-
cratic aid.
II this congress passes the Esch-
Townsend bill or one similar to it. it
will have to be don by democratic
votes. In this matter the president
stand on the democratic platform
His party is against him on this mea-
sure He has got to secure democratic
aid and he is politician enough to
: know that he has got to pay for that
support. Such statement may not
sound we'll. 1t has more the ring of
politics than Of patriotism or states
m%anshiD. but it is the truth, nevertne-
less, and there Is no use in trying to
disguise the fact. The cold facts are
that Mr.. Roosevelt is trying to force
the republican Iarty in congress tO
enact a law carrying out a principle
first advocated nv the democratic
party. The leaders in congress Of his
party are opposed to the measure.
The democratic members favor if
as a party measure. but some of them
are opposed to allowing the repubii-
can president TO have the credit of
securing the passage Of this measure.
Because of this feeling Mr.. Roosevelt
has got 10 trim his sails to the wind
very closely and he must win tc his
side many democratic congressman.
We see no reason why the demo-
Gratis in congress should not supper
the president if they think his rnea-
sure is for the aOod of the people. Ii
it is to the advantage of the general
public that Il certain law should be
enacted it is the part of true patriot
ism TO aid in the enactment of that
law without regard to who gets the
credit for it. It would be better. or
course. for the democratic party if il
could get the credit for putting such
law into effect. bat where there IS
no prospect of = being able to do so.
surely it is better that it should give
its aid TO the other party in enactiug
the desired statute than 10 defeat the
measure. by it's members in congress
voting against II just because it is
proposed by the. head of the opposition
party.
If the country needs such legisia-
] party TO aid in giving it through the
i channel of a republican administra-
ton than to deprive the people of The
desired and needed relief. simply be-
cause it can not be given them as. a
democratic measure. In other words !
If this relief is needed for the greater |
prosperity Of the country it is the duty !
of that party which claims to be The |
party Of the people to give it to them |
mo matter whether it comes through
their own hands Or through those OF a
part of the opposition party with the |
.Assist3Hce OF the democrats. !