Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1906-02-03
WILMINGTON. sArUHDAE, FEB. 8.
nIscllLAEEous REooRD
Patterson and ReossvoIt.

Administration organs arc making a
great ado over the open support Of Presi-
dent Roosevelt and his policies by sena-
tor Thomas NJ. Patterson Of Colorado,
who, in a speech in the Senate, few days
ago, indorsed the Santo Domingo policy
Of President Roosevelt, approved his
course In taking hand in the Moroccan
Conference and intimated quite broadly
that he would support him in the other
policies which he is endeavoring to fasten
upon the country.
Very little investigation, however, is
required in order 70 clearly understand
the undoubtod affinity that exists between
President Roosevelt and the alleged
Democratic Senator from Colorado
Enlightenment Of an official character
may be obtained from the Congressional
Directory, in the paragraph devoted to
sketch Of Senator Patterson. Here is an
extract which viii throw sufficient light
upon the situation: "Refused 10 support
Cleveland in 1892, and aided In carrying
Colorado for Gen. Weaver. In 1898
anitod with the Peoples party and was
delegate to tho Populist National Con-
vention Of 1896, when he advocated tho
nomination Of Bryan. Was elected to
the United States Senate, in 1901. by
the Joint votes Of Democrats, Silver Re
puhlicans and Populists."
Now, judging the character Of his sup
port from an anthmotical basis and Il
cannot be urged that tho Colorado Senator
is more than one-third a Democrat, the
other two-thirds being equally composed
Of Silver Republican and Populist. Il is
true that after his entrance into the Senate
he announced that he would act as
Democrat aud participate in the Demo
cratic caucus, but already he is breaking
away from his Democratic leanings and
going OVER to the support Of the partisan
policies Of a Republican administration.
But there arc other reasons why Senator
Patterson should look kindly upon Presi-
dent Roosevelt William j. Bryan is a
statesman after Senator patterson's own
heart. and President Roosevelt is fairly
out-Bryaning Bryan In some Of his policies
notably in the mntter Of railroad rates
legislation and Federal control Of corpora
tions Why should not Populist Sona-
tor and faithful follower Of Bryan natu-
rally graviiate 10 the support Of a Presi-
dent who Is endeavoring 10 do all that
Bryan would have attempted to do had
the latter been elected President Of the
United States
Another significant fact IA connection
with this Patterson Roosevelt alliance
is that Senator Patterson's term viii ex-
pire on March 4th, 1907. Like all other
members Of the Senate, he is intensely
desirous Of reelection, and no doubt sees
how the President may aid him by a
iudicious disposition Of Federal patron
age. Political conditions in Colorado are
unsettled az present, as they generally
are, and the Republican party Of that
State is split into two irreconcilable fac
tions. That this viii open the door to
Democratic success is only natural, and
how may Senator Patterson better pro
mote his senatorial campaign, in the
event OF the election Of a Democratic
Legislature, than by iudicious dispen-
sation Of Federal patronage in that State.
His colleague, senator Teller, who has
been a Republican and a Silver Repub-
lican in his time, finally came over to the
Democratic party, and was elected to the
Senate as a Democnt, in 1908. There
is no Republican Senator from Colorado,
therefore, TO claim the Federal patronage
as his own, and President Roosevelt has
already shown that be cares nothing for
the wishes Of Representatives in this
matter, but deiers to Senators only IN
making appointments 70 Office. There
Is nothing in the way, therefore, Of Senator
Patterson having all the Federal patron
age Of Colorado al his disposal in return
for his support Of administration measures
IN the Senate, as senator Alice has every.
thing in this line due to Delaware.
Thus, through political affinity and a
probable dicker in Federal office, the
President has captured an alleged Demo
cratic vote In support Of Populistic
measures which his party majority in IN,
Senate viii not indorse. What an illus
tration Of the chaotic and indeterminat,
position of political matters IN this coun.
tryl But IL cannot be claimed that IN,
Presidents "eaptun" is such a great one
after all.