The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1906-01-21
REPUBLICAN STORMS AHEAD.

oping in Washington. We allude 20
the increasing friction between Pres
ldent Roosevelt and republican sena-
tors and representatives. Neyerthe-
less. It Is just wat the public might
have anticipated, when everything Is
considered, and it is not a matter to
regret. From the day he became pres.
ident until now, Mr.. Roosevelt has
shown a tendency to ignore and dis.
regard the prerogatives and functions
OF congress, but since his election by
an Unprecedented majority he has
poorly concealed his impatience with
the legislative branch OF the govern.
ment when It hesitated 20 accept with
out question his policies and do Off
hand what he wished It to do.
And because % the spell OF hypno.
sis which h6 has cast upon the masses
he has been quite successful at times
in dominating the congress, even
when It was apparent that he was ov.
erriding the traditions ftho govern.
ment
But there Is bound to be an end to
this sort OF thing and the indications
are that II Is not far away And so We
find evidences Of a revolt against the
white house domination such as Mr.
Cleveland encountered In 1898. Mem
bers deeply concerned for the welfare
OF local interests hesitate to do tho
will OF the president and from an at.
titude Of declining white house lead.
ership they have assumed one OF in
dlgnant resentment that the white
house shoull become an active oppo.
nent against measures in which their
local interest is large.
In the senate the breach is even more
distinct, and the bitterness engender.
ed still more acute. Not only has the
president used his influence 20 coerce
the senate in legislative matters, but
he has disregarded the executive func-
tlons with which that body Is clothed
by the constitution. thus assailing
senatorial dignity in its most sensi-
tive part.
No doubt. the president has taken
into account the fact that his popu-
larity naturally enables him 10 coerce
many members of his party. It is true
that many Of them fear him and per-
init Themselves to be dominated rath.
er than run the risk of encountering
his influences in the campaign next
fall. But despite all this, th.re has
/ been sufficient open resentment to
promise an ugly factionai fight in re-
publican ranks. The senate seems de-
termined to subject presidential ac-
tions, presidential assertions and pres.
idential recommendation to the most
painstaking scrutiny, and in a way
that fully justifies the president In
believing that they distrust his judg.
ment and his statesmanship II not his
word
There are many senators who have
no reason to fear him, fact which
tends to stimulate independence and
awaken resentment at the first appear.
ance Of a disposition to coerce.
The climax of me trouble need not
be looked for at this session. 1t is re-
allied that Mr.. Roosevelt Is serving
his last term and that after the cleo
tions of the year are over he will be
a negligible quantity in the political
equation. AS soon as his power to in
nuence the coming election is at an
end, some interesting times may be
expected and It is more than probable
that the federal Legislature will as
sert It's independence of white house
/ pressure in no uncertain way.
II Is a matter of current report that
the presidents popularity among the
people Is on the wane. Congressman
are quick odetect any change in
public sentiment, and when they feel
there is no longer reason to fear Mr..
Roosevelt they will fight him and
/ fight him furlously. Houston Post,
/ -.