The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-02-08
Democratic Attempt in the Senate
to Administer Discipline to
Senator Patterson.

The Colorado senator had called up
his resolution and addressed the senate
upon it.
Before he had concluded, the proceed
inngs took on an air of intensity and ex,
element, Mr.. Bailey, as well as most Of
the members Of his party, had inter
preted Mr.. Patterson resolution as
deliberate reflection upon the demo
cratic caucus and from the moment that
Mr. Bailey rose he assumed an aggres-
sive and somewhat haunting manner to-
wards the Colorado senator. His
speech was based upon the theory that
all senators are =, under obligation to
obey conscience rather than caucus, but
that in doing so they antagonize their
sponsible to their party. But the speech
was more notable for its arraignment of
Mr.. Patterson for his course than for
its adherence to any line of argument.
Accused by Bailey.
Mr.. Bailey charged the senator from
Colorado with, having been a party to
the adoption in previous caucus of the
rule binding democratic senators to the
two-thirds rule. This charge and Mr..
Patterson s response to it constituted a
thruout the senate chamber was very
tense until the climax was passed.
Mr.. Patterson failed to recall the pro-
ceedings of the previous caucus, but Mr..
Bailey's colleague, Mr.. Culberson, was
prepared with a copy Of those proceed
ings and when he had exhibited it Mr..
Patterson said that he would not I'M
dertake to dispute the record.
He was inclined at first to charge
conspiracy to disparage him before his
colleagues and the country, but after
ward said he was not so much con
cerned over this apparent inconsistency
on his own part as he was at the effect
the springing of the matter would be
| upon the main issue, which was to
| exhibit to the country the danger of
caucus dictation.
Patterson Excited.
Mr.. Patterson manifested some ex-
citement in manner and his face was
much flushed, but his words were de-
| liberate.
cit SEEMS he said, "that ample
preparation has been made to over.
whelm me by reason Of the stand
record; it is not impossible that with
out due reflection I did vote for the
binding resolution. If So the vote was
cast without due reflection. That cir.
| cumstance cannot, however, prevent q
| change, of course when, after due de
liberation, 1 become satisfied that the
| demand OF the caucus is in conflict will
my sense Of justice and antagonistic tt
my duty as a senator. Whether in
consistency may be shown, I am con
tent to let it stand. I will bear cheer
| fully the censure or misunderstanding
Of my course. The rule does not chang,
the eternal truth or. the obligation O
senators to observe their oaths of of
fce.' :
a. Denies Conspiracy. - .
Replying. Mr.. Bailey said that MI
Patterson did himself an injustice b,
intimating there had been conspirac,
for the purpose Of accomplishing hi
discontinue. For the rest, he said, h
was willing to accept Mr.. Patterson
explanation, for he believed that. sen
ator to be an honest man.. ~..->. .
Mr.. Patterson responded that he di
not care so much for the position i
which he was placed as the fact that h
feared that the issue would be cloude
by. this incident. That, he said, MOI
tilted him. =.
Mr. Bailey then suggested to NJ
Patterson that there was but one prope
recourse left to him and that was t
change parties, and to the suggestio
q Mr.. Patterson replied that neither til
: sneers nor the inuendoes Of Mr.. Bale
: would cause him to swerve from his i,
e tention Of following his conviction ratl
!, er than the behests Of party. He ha,
: he said, wanted only to impress upo
S the country the size of the danger :ths
: turks in caucus dictation, and he adde
that if he had succeeded in accomplish
n ing that result, he would feel Statistic
, He had no doubt that the action Of tt
} caucus had been taken for the purpos
of placing him before his own constit1
= ents as a bolter and he characterize
the action as the ghost Of antebellu
days rising to drive senators from the
sense Of duty. -. 49,. ~ ~
Bailey Aroused Again. j"
The reference to the old tim
| aroused Mr. Rai1av ond bo doo1,n.