The sun., 1906-02-08
PATTERSON DEFENDS HIS BOLT
ASSERTS RIGHT or SENATORS TO
RESENT CiLCIS DICTATION.
Mr.. Bailey OF Texas Shows by the Record
That the Colorado senator Voted in
Caucus Two Years Ago FOR Resolution
Similar to the One He Now Condemns.


similar to the One Tie Now Condemns.
WASHINGTON, Feb 7.--People who went
TO the Senate Chamber to-day in the eS-
pectation of seeing and hearing something
interesting were not disappointed. They
saw seen, seldom witnessed in the Senate,
for nearly every Senator was in his seat
and the extra space on the floor was covered
with members of the House and others
entitled to admission to these sacred
precincts.
The occasion was debate over the resolu-
tions offeSed by Senator Patterson of Colo
RADIO declaring in substance that the action
of the Democratic caucus OF the Senate
in binding its members to vote against the
Santo Domingo treaty was "in plain Nlo-
lation of the spirit and intent of the Con-
sttution of the United States These reso-
lutions, regarded by many Senators as
embracing a question OF momentous inn
portance not only to the Senate, hut to
the country, were called up by Mr.. Patter-
son shortly after the Senate met and for
nearly four hours he and Senator Bailey
of Texas, a radical supporter of the caucus
action, had it hammer and tongs to the
enjoyment of the greater portion OF those
present and to the thinly concealed concern
of a smaller number.
Senator Patterson, speaking in voice
that at times betrayed deep feeling. made
a long address in defence of his action in
boiling the Democratic caucus on the
Dominican treaty. There is just touch
of the brogue in the accent of the Colorado
man, who is Irish born, and on the whole
his delivery was pleasing. 1t contrasted
strongly with the deep tones OF Senator
Bailey, a fact not lost on his opponeni,
who paid a compliment to the strong and
convincing personality of the youthful
looking Texan.
The most dramatic feature OF the dis
cussion came during Senator Bailey's
response to Senator Patterson, when the
latter, interrupting the discourse OF Mr..
Bailey, virtually alleged that the action
of the Democratic caucus was to prevent
Southern Senators from following the
bolt of Mr.. Patterson The Senator from
Colorado intimated very broadly that on
account of the race question those who
had forced the adoption OF coercive
measures in the caucus did so in the belief
that Democratic Senators from the South
would he afraid to vote contrary to the
dictates of their party. This was hotly
resented by Mr.. Bailey, who charged that
boiling was not principle but habit
with Mr.. Patterson, and referred to the
fact that the Colorado Senator had bolted
the nomination of Grover Cleveland in
1892 and had fought the Democratic munich
pal ticket in Denver.
Mr. Patterson began by stating the action
of the caucus, which, in view Of remarks
mad, by Senator'S, he could not regard
otherwise than as an attempt to cosrce
him and other Senator's who announced
their intention TO vote for the Santo Domingo
treaty. He also referred to soma sugges-
tions that had been made of an understand
ing with the President regarding the way
he should vote in return for patronage. He
disclaimed any such alliance. The charge
that the President had influenced a Senator's
vote with patronage was not becoming,
nor was il becoming to charge that Senator
had sold his vote.
The only time he had tried to influence
the President in matters OF patronage
was when he sought to have an Episoo-
palian clergyman in Denver appointed 4
chaplain in the army.
THE President informed me-" said Mr.
Patterson, that the former occupant OF
the office was Methodist and that a Meth
odist would be selected to succee him,
and my Episcopalian friend is still per.
forming his clerical duties in Denver, while
a good Methodist is drawing the salary of
chaplain"
Mr.. Patterson paid a glowing tribute to
the President. Il do not agree with him in
all his policies, but in his great struggle
against railroads and trusts he is doing
greater work than any President since An
drew jackson, and commend him for it.
He said the Senator who reached conclu-
sions on public questions or upon pending
bills in the interest Of the countrys well
fare and then changed them at the behest
of party caucus was more likely to be in
fluenced by venal considerations than one
who adhered to his independent views
regardless of party dictation. If caucus
rule was to control the constitutional oath
of Senators. he declared the constitution
ought to be amended. He had read in
the public press that Senator's and Repre-
sentatves had visited the White House
and come away with their opinions changed.
He drew no distinction between the man
who sold his vote for money and the man
who yielded for patronage.
Mr. Ba ley Dem. TeS.) reminded the
Senator from Colorado that there was one
course open TO hm-he could withdraw,
and he recalled that Mr.. Patterson ten
years or so ago had walked out of Demo-
cratic convention in Colorado. Whenever
Senator's conscience reached that stage
where he must defy his party caucus he
| should take that course.
| Mr.. Bailey said that because the President
had borrowed some panks from the Demo-
| cratic platform. this was no reason why he
| should follow him in all things.
| "The Senator from Colorado describes
a spirited interview he had with the Presi-
dent said Senator Bailey. Il wish
could have been present at that interview.
We know what spirited interview with the
/ President means, Laughtero l wish !
knew the persuasive influence that induced
the Senator from Colorado, after that in
terview, to come to the Senate and declare
the President to be second Andrew jack
son. believe that the President can roar
| like a lion when occasion requires and coo
like a dove when occasion presents. When
he wants to persuade Senators on this side
of the chamber he uses the honeyed words;
when he wants to influence you on the other
side he wields the big stick Great
laughterD
Senator Bailey read from Mr. Patterson's
speech accepting election to the Senate
in which he declared he would enter the
Democratic caucus. for caucuses We're "the