The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-02-20
WILL PARTY and
PRESIDENT SPLIT?
Open Break Predicted as Result
Of Fight on Roosevelt s
Main Issues.
BY w. w. Jermane.

~ BY w. w. Jermane.
Washington, Feb. POI expect to
leave a united republican party behind
me,' is frequently uttered declara-
tion of President Roosevelt. This
man in the White House is breaking
the republican party in two, and there
won It be much of either end of it left
with great persistency by Mr. Roose-
vent 8 enemies.
This discussion is in a peculiarly
acute stage today, just as the arbitra-
ton treaties have been turned to
naught, and when the Santo Domingo
treaty is before the senate.
"Would it not be strange the pres
ident's persistent critics are fond of
noting, eff his Inauguration day should
mark a recognition by the country that
his leadership OF the party had been
broken7''
Break Predicted.
The Importance of this suggestion in.
vites some analysis of the conditions
from which it arises. If one charge has
been more often repeated than another
presidency, it is that he will break with
his party in the senate, or is already
breaking, or has in effect broken. Dur
ing the long controversy over Cuban
reciprocity, this, it was alleged, would
be the inevitable result Of SO much
strenuousness on his part in trying to
make his leadership prevail in congress.
And still the outward signs of. a
break between congress and the execu-
tive have not yet appeared; the senate
is still confirming his nominations and
ceptiona1ly we1l-informed man who can
remember offhand single measure
which President Roosevelt has vetoed.
Railroad Interests Counter.
It must be acknowledged that the
interdependence Of opposition issues is
now giving the semblance of wide
spread hostility. The interests which
are most alarmed over the president g
railroad program think it not a popu-
lar issue to lay too much emphasis on,
and so they have become violently ex-
cited over his high-handed methods in
Santo Domingo. Those who have
dreaded his inclination to readjust the
tariff and bring it down to date, have
become worried lest he would encroach
upon senatorial prerogatives in the ar
bitra ton treaties, or perhaps these tar
iff interests have vented their spite
upon the poor little innocent Newfound-
land treaty. 1t is always thus in poll
tics. The opposition to the president s
railroad policy is one that peculiarly
| invites punishment in some other di-
rection, and as result the outbreak in
several directions has recently been
noted.
Wolf Has Not Arrived.
But those who have. cried "Wolf''
SO long regarding Roosevelt will some
time grow weary Of their job. One
| no rty loo dow oonfoscoH 10 ha xyrit-
er his serious apprehension over the
significance of the quietness Of the Chi
cago convention last summer. He felt
| that it, meant that Roosevelt had lost
his hold. Recently compiled ;almanaca
of election statistics are not likely to
emphasize the accuracy Of this pre-.
monition.t The things that Roosevelt
has wanted done, to a remarkable de.
gree, he has thus far been able to do,
| and the bureau Of statistics is today is:
suing a review Of the operations Of the
Predictions that Rooseveat's anti
trust agitation would wreck the party
have suffered the same fate. It was
the fashion two winters ago for elderly
senators to go to the White House tC
tell the young man that they hoped they
could continue to be administratio ion
I
as to compel them to become his oppon
ents. He heard their messages, he has
gradually been securing the Legislation
that he wants, and they are still doing
business with him They will arrive il
Washington next October to take w
cheerfully the work of an extra session
altho had such proposal originated ii
a republican caucus on the bill it would
have received very slim support.
People with Roosevelt.
There is no Disgusting the fact thai
the controlling spirits of the senate rep
resent an altogether different viewpoint
from the president and his young cabi
net. Both sets of men are republican
but one set is made up of the product
of local organization and influences
while. the other has successfully ap
pealed to the nation at large. Even tn,
most devoted Of special-interest sena
tors will hesitate to break openly will
Mr.. Roosevelt, who stands in a peculia
way for the American people. Since h
} is determined to leave united part,
) behind him, their interest in this result
can hardly be secondary. Meanwhile
the breach between the president an
congress will bear some watching. TIL
', writer will not say that it will or tina
it will not come. Events, thus far I'm
,, seen, will determine that But tina
, there is a strained relationship existin
between the president and the leader
. Of his party in both houses Of congress
is very apparent to all who care to lool
for it. r.. =e.
President Must Be Wary.
The future will hinge in very larg
way upon the president himself. I
he can carry himself on level kee
thus maintaining the confidence Of tn
general public, and, being careful no
too frequently to lay himself open
such attacks as his Santo Domingo an
arbitration treaty policies have Pre-
duced, he will win, the party leader
standing. These leaders will be watch
ing with both eyes for an opening, an
: every time that the president offers one
it will be improved to the full limit
knowledge that this is the situatio
:, will probably make the president wise
than he already is; at least it shout
do so. - ,-~ =.
It is an old trick of congress to side
:: track an energetic executive on mino
: issue, and it is trying to do that wit
Mr.. Roosevelt at this time. On bot
sides it is play for the support q
. the public. That support the pres
dent now has, and it is the desire Q
the congress leaders, in their attack o
the Santo Domingo and arbitration ma
ters, to stamp the president in the pull
lie mind as unsafe and ultra radica
In proportion as they are able to d
this, they will chill the popular ardo
now r,1rninr f,,11 ti1+ With Roo.o,,ol