The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-02-08
that he did not do what he has done
as the result of principle of conduct"
Does Mot Feel Offended,

as the result of principle of conduct
Does Not Feel Offended.
Mr. Patterson replied that he did not
feel offended II have received the ukase
of the caucus" he said, 'in perfect
equanimity' He added that when the
caucus undertakes to dictate to senator
so as to compel him to violate his con-
science, 1t is oversteppng the bounds OF
it's own authority
1t was at this juneture that the climax
of the days proceedings was reached.
This consisted in Mr.. Bailey's bringing
out the fact that Mr.. Patterson had been
present at and had participated in the
democratic senatorial caucus In 1905 in
which the rule binding democratic sena-
tors by a two-thirds vote of the caucus
had been adopted. Evidently the sugges-
ton took Mr.. Patterson by surprise. He
did not appear to recall the facts ana
said there must be some mistake, because
he had always held, the views now held
: by him.
Mr.. Bailey insisted that he was right in
his statement but he vouchsafed the add
ed remark that he was at the same time
satisfied that Mr.. Patterson had not mis-
represented facts when he said he did not
recall the caucus. He was interrupted by
his colleague, Mr. Culberson, who rose
with a typewriter paper in mis- hand.
Mr.. Culberson verified Mr.. Bailey's mem
DRY. My colleagues statement is cor
rect" he said. land l have here the rec
ord of the caucus action, verifying it.
They show that the Senator from Colo
RADIO voted for the resolution.
Patterson Is Excited.
Mr.. Patterson manifested some excite
ment in manner and his face was much
flushed but his words were deliberate
1T SEEMS" he said, that ample prepara-
ton had been made to overwhelm me by
reason of the stand | have taken. l will
not gainsay the record; it is not impossi-
BILE without due reflection l did vote for
the resolution. If so the vote was cast
without due reflection. That action, how
ever, cannot prevent a change of course
when, after due investigation l become
satisfied that the demand of the caucus
is in conflict with my sense of justice,
and antagonistic to my duty as senator
Whether inconsistency may be shown L
am content to let it stand; / will bear
cheerfully the censure or misunderstand-
ing of my course. The rule does not
change the eternal truth or the obligation
of senators to observe their oath of Of
fee"
Replying Mr.. Bailey said that Mr.. Pat
terson did himself injustice by in
timating that there had been a conspir-
acy for the purpose of accomplishing his
discontinue. He then explained that for
the past three days he had been constant
ly engaged at the bedside of sick son
and had not been in communication with
Mr. Culberson. He attributed the fact
that Mr.. Culberson was equipped with
copy of the caucus proceedings to his col
leagues habit of being always prepared
for an emergency.
For the rest he said he was willing to
accept MIR. Patterson's explanation for he
believed the Senator to be an honest man.
although an emotional one. and one who
being In error persists in 1t.
Mr. Patterson RESPONDED that he did
not care so much for the position in which
I've was placed as for the fact that he
feared that the issue would be clouded
by this incident That, he said, morti-
fled him.
Ought to Change Politics.
Mr.. Bailey then suggested to Mr.. Pat
terson that there was nut one proper
course left to him, and that was to
change parties. As to this suggestion,
Mr.. Patterson replied that neither the
sneers nor the inuendoes of Mr.. Bailey
would cause him to swerve from his in
tention of following his conviction. rather
than the behest of a party. He had, he
said, wanted only to impress upon the
country the size of the danger that turks
in caucus dictation, and he added that Ii
he had succeeded in accomplishing that
result he would feel satisfied; he had no
regret for what he had done He had
no uOuDt tnaL the dclOn OF the SduCuS
had been taken for the purpose of plac-
ing him before his own constituents as
boiler, and he characterized the action
as 1.-THE ghosts of ante-bellum days, rising
to drive senators from their sense of
duty"
The reference to the old times aroused
Mr.. Bailey and he declared with a per-
ceptible show of scorn that he would
waive the reference as unworthy of
tice."
1T must" he added, 'be an appeal to
the republican side to vote for Mr. Pat
terson's resolution. No southern demo-
crat would hesitate to defy his party
when it came to a conflict between party
and conscience, but having done so, he
would know that he must at home risk
the consequences of putting his own judg-
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