Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1905-12-04

by CLERK MCDOWELL. The senate ad-
journed after "a twenty minute session
style lobby of money in sealed en-
velopes, fake poker games and wine
dinners, the president would have no
occasion to give it serious considera-
ton. But being a thoroughly up-to-
date lobby, with ways that are dark
and tricks that are vain,". he will
need to use all his wits in combating
it.
In winning Speaker Cannon over to
his railroad rate program, the presi-
dent has placed himself in a. vastly
stronger strategical position for his
contest with the senate. The one
weakness in the compact is that Can
mons support of rate legislation is
likely to be passive, rather than az
gressive. He has agreed, so report
has ut, that whatever measure has ad.
mlnlstrative approval shall pass the
mouse, but j. is not understood that
the agreement involves any determin.
ed stand on his part to force the sen,
ate into accepting the house bill.
The fact that he will not have to
fight opposition in the house streng.
thens the presidents hands, of course
put 1t will not necessarily have any
important bearing On opposition in the
senate. The senate has an arrogant
way OF ignoring the house when any
measure of such Importance as rail-
road rate making is up for considera-
tlon. Even measures for raising rev.
enue, which the constitution provides
shall originate in the house, are con.
sidered fair prey by the senate and
frequently are so amended that moth
Ing much besides the enacting clause
is left of the house bill. There is no
reason to suppose, therefore, that be-
cause of this compact with Cannon.
important as it is, the senate is going
to retire from the field without
struggle.
II Is possible, of course, that when
the time comes the senate will WELD
on all important points and will pass
Dill substantially embodying the ad-
m1nlstration's policy; but if this is
done, it will not be because the presi-
dent has won the house. There is
one thing which this wise railroad
lobby never does, and that is to lead
a forlorn hope. 1t will fight, and fight
70 the last ditch, if there is a pros
pect OF ultimate victory, but it hunts
cover like a frightened rabbit if the
odds are Overwhelmingly against it.
That is what the railroad LOBBYISTS
and the railroad senators are Just
now trying to determine. So MANY
senators are on the fence that even
expert nose counters like Aldrich and
FORAKER cannot determine which side
has the majority. They also are try
Ing to guage accurately public senti-
ment. Naughty as the senate is. if
is not so Indifferent to popular onin-
Ion as is generally supposed, and if
the reading of the presidents message
arouses public clamor to the extent
which Mr.. Roosevelt and his lieuten-
ants anticipate, the senate opposition
may seek tall timber without further
ado. If the message is received calm
ly and there is no outburst of enthusi-
asm for the Administrations program.
1t Is very probable they will fight the
thing to finish. And if the senate
opposition decides that there shall be
battle, 1t can be accepted as a fore
gone conclusion that it has at least
an equal chance of coming off vic
torious. s.. e.
2 AS is always the case at the begin
ming of a new congress, not much will
be accomplished before the Christmas
holidays, The chances are that Speak
er Cannon will not make his commit.
tee appointments until after the re-
converting In January, though some Of,
the more important places may be
flied. n
i everything seems to be late this
year The estimates from the depart