New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-24
WON'T LAUD PRESIDENT
DEMOCRATIC CLUB SPLIT.
Members Refuse to Indorse Policies
of Mr. Roosevelt.

serious split Is threatened IN the Democratic
Club over proposition of the committee which
was appointed some time ago TO 'nationalize"
the club to praise President Roosevelt for his
position on the Railroad Rate BILL
AT the club last night 1t was said that when
the report of the subcommittee came up at
the next monthly meeting of the club there
would be a stormy debate. and that the COM
mittees report might be amended to leave
out anything and everything oommendatory Of
Republican President
Last fall President John Fox appointed e COM
mlttee to take into consideration the proposition
10 Widen the scope of the Democratic Club so
as 10 make 1t a recognized force In the Democ-
racy or the nation. The idea was enthusiastic
caliy 'ndorsed by the members generally The
committee has had the idea under consideration
Tor nearly six months
This week the committee got together, adopted
its report, and. after having IT printed. sent It
10 the members of the club. with a notice that
the report would come up for adoption at the
next regular meeting of the club
Ex-Congressman Perry Belmont was the first
to take exception to the language OF the report
He wrote letter TO President Fox. 1t Is said
protesting against several complimentary refer
ences to President Roosevelt's policy in regard
to three or four of the great questions pending
in Congress
Particular unbrage was taken to a paragraph
which extolled President Roosevelt's stand on
the regulation of rates on railroads The report
stated in about so many words that the Presi-
dent should be supported by all good Demo-
Gratis. as his attitude in harmony with
Democratic principles and common honesty. His
Ideas with reference to a revision of some OF
the tariff schedules were also commended
Mr.. Belmont at once began TO communicate
fha
club with the result that last night there had
been worked up decided opposition to che
adoption OF the report IN its present shape
1t is understood that Charles F. Murphy
William P. Mitchell. Edmund Cahill ex-Mayor
Van Wyck. John F. Carroll and Lewis Nixon
have lined UP in opposition to the adoption OF
any report eulogstic of President Roosevelt.
The argument of the opponents of the report
Is that commendation of a Republican Presi-
dent is entirely uncalled for IN report designed
to nationalze the club 1t is urged that Presi-
dent Roosevelt is a pronounced partisan. has
no particular for the Democratic Club. and
that he never has hesitated to criticise bitterly
Democratic Presidents matters of Demo-
cratic policy. Why. then. the Belmont men
ask. should Democratic club go to the extent
Of praising executive who is likely to be
fighting Democracy in the next national cam
paign?
The trainers OF the report assert that it is all
right to praise President Roosevelt for doing
things which harmonize with Democratic prin-
cipies and policies They allegs that when
President Roosevelt took his position with ref
erence TO railway rates and for governmental
su su"ervision of the same. he indorsed Demo-
cratic principle The trainers Of the report say
that 1T is right and proper to praise act Of
this kind If due credit is given to the Demo-
cratic origin of the idea