The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1906-01-26
The STATEHOOD BILL.

THE STATEHOOD BILL.
AS was expected. the Republican
majority Of the house Of representa-
tives fell into line at the crack Of the
party whip on the joint statehood bill
and passed it by vote of 1874 to $50.
IT goes to the senate now, where 1t
remains to be seen whether the ad-
ministraton can coerce enough mem
bers into its way of thinking to secure
the final adoption of the measure.
"A typical instance Of the methods
used to force the bill through the
house was afforded by Mr.. Tawney of
Minnesota, when he explained that he
voted for the rule against his judg-
ment, leaving it to his hearers imagi-
nation to guess why he abandoned his
convictions on a measure affecting the
welfare and rights of half a million
people,
No simpler, clearer commentary on
the administration policy was needed
than Tawney's confession, because
those familiar with the course of the
measure knew that any Republican
who dared vote according to his con
victions and against the administra-
TONS wish would sign his own po-
litical death-warrant by such a vote.
Tawney knew. though he did not say
so, that if he voted as he thought
right. he would be barred from federal
patronage, would be put on the black
list Of the departments and run out
Of the party councils for so long as
the present administration rules af-
fairs at Washington.
Nor Is Tawney the only victim of
the administrations determination to
coerce Congress by the use of public
patronage; Tawney was frank enough
te. admit his position while the others
who thought as he did and, like him.
voted against their convictions kept
silent like the towards they are shiv-
ering for fear the powers that be
might pursue them with punishment
for daring even TO think on a sub
ject which had already been settled
for them by the president and his
coterie
There has been no such shameless
abuse OF presidential power since the
reign OF Cleveland, when he whipped
into line Democrats and Republicans
enough TO complete the characterization
Of silver and ultimately to demoraIize
his party organization and pave the
way for Republican triumph. The
parallel runs still further: Roosevelt
is following the Cleveland system so
exactly In all the measures he has out
lined. that he is rapidly alternating the
brainiest, most influential men of his
own party. For the time being. while
he has offices and patronage with
which TO Subsidize votes in congress
he will be successful: but signs are
plentiful that even the most servile
followers OF the Roosevelt propaganda
are growing FESTIVE
The legislative branches, which sre
supposed TO be independent of the ex-
ecutive, show a growing impatfence
with his constant interference and
compulsion. In the Panama. matter,
where he was given a free hand and
practically unlimited means he is be-
ing restricted and his appointees are
being called to account just as other
government employees have had to &C
count. The railroad rate bill which he
was going 10 pass Immediately viii be
considered on its merits and by the
time II IS passed VIII represent the
Judgment, not OF Roosevelt. but of the
representatives Of the people in the
house and senate.
The simple truth is that Roosevelt
being human, seems to have conceived
the idea that he Is infallible. and that
what he thinks and does is above
question or criticism. Thinking thus.
he has been willing to use the very
methods OF the political boss which he
has condemned most bitterly all
through his writings and speeches;
and he has developed a growing i'm.
patieneesof any opposition which fore
shadows tire inevitable decline I'm in
flHehce of any public man who be-
lieves he alone is the state and can
do no wrong.
Roosevelt's attitude on the state
hood question is the more amazing be-
cause he has long posed as a friend