Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1906-05-16

Washington, May 16. Executive
veracity and good faith were again
discussed in the Senate yesterday,
when Mr.. Tillman made a statement
defending former Senator William p.
Chandler and caustically criticising
the letters of the President and the
Attorney General in which is sought
TO be conveyed the impression that
Mr.. Chandler and Senator Tillman
asked for conferences with President
Roosevelt and that the latter was not
bound TO adhere TO the Democratic
alliance.
Senator Tillman made some severe
comments on the whole matter, and
dwelt upon the facts that the Attor-
ney- General seemed 60 think the code
Of honor among gentlemen was not
binding upon the Executive and his
cabinet
The question every one Is asking in
Washington today is: Through whose
initiative did the President and Mr.
Chandler come into contact TO bring
about the understanding with Senators
Tillman and Bailey ?"
President Roosevelt makes it appear
that ne did not do so. 81 was asked, "
he says. 'to see former Senator
Chandler az representing Senator Till
man, who was in charge of the bill, "
He says he replied that he was willing
60 see Mr.. Chandler, or Senator Till
man, or any one else.
This gives the impression that the
alliance was sought first by either Mr..
Chandler OF Mr.. Tillman. Mr.. Chand-
ler says he received a note asking him
to call at the White House, intimating
that this was the first step taken TO
bring about the entente with the
Democratic party. This indicates that
the inception was in the White House.
IL is asserted that the events which
led up to the negotiations which re-
suited In the alliance for the defeat Of
"Aldrich and those fellows, =" began
when the President, on Saturday,
March 3lst, decided TO take an open
hand in the rate matter by abandoning
his stand against any review in tho
Hepburn bill. Mr.. Roosevelt called a
conference in the White House, which
was attended, by Senators Allison and
Dolliver Of Iowa, Clapp Of Mime
sofa, Cullon Of Illinois, and Long OF
Kansas Attorney General Moody and
Messrs. Knapp and Prouty Of the
Interstate Commerce Commission.
AZ this conference President Roose-
velt produced what became known as
the Long amendment, 4" which pro-
vided for court OF review OF the ques-
tions whether the commission had
exceeded its authority and whether any
Of the constitutional rights OF the car
ier had been infringed. 1t is under
stood this amendment had been drawn
by Mr. Moody. Those present at the
conference indorsed 10 and the decision
was reached TO see IL it could not be
put through the Senate.
This was really radical retreat for
the President from his previous posi-
tion that no review should be expressly
provided for in the bill, but he was
not in favor Of Offering it as a com.
promise to the anti administration
wing of the Senate, represented b,
Senators Aldrich, Knox, Spooner.
Crane and Elkins. The President
wanted TO beat them.
There was a count Of noses 20 see
how many votes this amendment coulc
command. Some one at the con.
ference assured the President that 2l
Republican votes would be cast fol
it. Mr.. Roosevelt took more conserva
tive counsel and found he would b,
lucky II he could command 20 of tn,
az ANN NIM0ANNnM NOlNNs
Then arose the question: "Wher,
nre we 10 get the rest of the vote.
needed - To be certain of victory Il
was necessary to have at least 4,
votes, not taking irto consideration
the pairs.
IL became obvious that it would b.
necessary to get Democratic votes
and large block of them, il 4" "Aldricl
and those fellows were to be beaten
IL was imperative 10 get into toucl
with the Democrats. There was con
siderable discussion in the Whit
House as TO how this should b.
accomplished.
Finally one Of the Presidents ad
visers-whether il was the attorney
general, a Senator or a member OF tn
Interstate Commerce Commission !
not stated-advanced the suggestion
that former Senator Chandler was
close friend Of Senator Tillman, VIII
was in charge of the Rate bill. Thi
is doubtless what the President mean
IN his letter when he says, "amon
others | was asked to sec forme
Senator Chandler as representa-
Senator Tillman.
The suggestion was jumped at.
vote was sent TO Mr.. Chandler to cal
HN NAN WAAN' AAWACNs AAt NhAltU AN
was asked to open up communication
between the President and Senate
Tillman, and did so.
There is no issue over what har
pened after that. The President in
suucted the attorney general to begi
conferences with Senators Tillma
and Bailey and these conference
proceeded until the President felt h
vas beaten even with Democrati
votes or something else happened I
Change his mind about the desirabilit
Of continuing the alliance with IN
Democrats. Then they were droppec
IL was without any warning ths
Senator Iillman called up the cor
troyersy in the Senate.
feel, Mr.. Tiilman began. "thf
an apology is due the Senate +,
introducing into this interesting an
instructive discussion and extraneor
matter. But 1t appears that no oppoi
tune moment will come. have alread
waited too long.
On Saturday last the Senate va
startled and doubtless mortified
hear the statement Of an honore
former member OF this body on th
II 49,.