The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-02-09


terpreted Mr.. Pattcrson's resolutions
as deliberate reflection upon the
Democratic caucus, and from the mo-
ment that Mr.. Bailey arose, he as
sumed an aggressive and somewhat
taunting manner toward the Colorado
Senator His speech was based upon
the theory that all Senators are under
obligations to obey conscience rather
than caucus, but that in doing so they
anita gonize their party and should hold
themselves responsible to their party.
Mr. Bailey charged the Senator from
Colorado with having been a party
to the adoption in a previous caucus
of the rule binding Democratic Sena-
tors to the two thirds rule. This
charge and Mr.. Patterson's response
to it constituted a most dramatic Incl
dent and the feeling throughout the
Senate chamber waa very tense until
the climax was passed. Mr.. Patter-
son seemed taken by surprise. He
failed to recall the proceedings Of the
previous caucus, but Mr. Bailey's col
league, Mr. Culberson, was prepared
with a copy of those proceedings and
when he had exhibited it, Mr.. Patter-
to dispute the record. He was inclin-
ed at first to charge completely to dis
parage him before his colleagues in
the country, but afterwards said that
he was not so much concerned over
this apparent inconsistency on his
own part as he was over the effect
that the springing of the matter would
have upon the main issue, which was
to exhibit to the country the danger
there is in caucus dictation.
Mr.. Bailey defended To caucus sys-
tenn and read the proceedings of the
caucus by which Mr.. Patterson was
nominated for the senate. He asked
Mr. Patterson if he considered that
the same objections which he had
made to senatorial caucuses should
apply to caucuses for the choosing Of
candidates.
Mr.. Patterson replied that the two
caucuses were not ON the same foot
| ing because no oath is taken.
Mr.. Bailey did not accept as valid
the difference.
Mr.. Bailey jocularly called attention
to an alleged statement of the presi-
dent, in regard to filling a vancancy
among the chaplains of the army, that
as the man who went out was Meth
dist Methodist must succeed him.
He said this might be considered a
violation of the constitution. He said
this might account for the large
church vote received by Mr.. Roose-
velt
He said also, that Mr. Roosevelt
fy,c% rIo
| in favor of strife as the philosophy of
life
Mr.. Bailey commented upon a letter
from the president on the divided
councils of the Democratic party
which practically said that they were
either fools or iars.
Never before. said Mr.. Bailey, had a
president given such offense to Dem
ocrats as had the present occupant of
the White House and never before had
political opponents been so ready to
come to the defense of a president.
He reminded the country that the
presidents rate policy was Demo
cratic policy. That being true, the
Republican unity was remarkable-a
lesson in party loyalty for Mr.. Patter-
son.
True there were evidences of indie
pendent action in the senate, But
declared Mr.. Bailey, II predict that the
big stick will be waved in such man
ner that majority of the Republican
Senators will be brought to support
the Presidents railroad policy even
even though it be taken from Dem
ocratic platform" He expressed the
opinion that the President must have
used very persuasive arguments to Sc
cure the support of Mr.. Patterson.
He had heard that the president could
roar like lion, and also that he could
coo like a dove.
HE applies the honey tone to us;
he waves the big stick over YOU" he
said, addressing himself to the Re-
publicans.
Mr.. Bailey confessed himself to be a
partisan, contending that the majority
in any party must be permitted to pre-
scribe party policy always leaving to
the individual the right to leave a
party with which he aff1iliates.
Mr.. Bailey then became somewhat
more personal towards Mr.. Patterson,
repeating a report which he had heard
to the effect that Mr.. Patterson had
bolted the last Democratic caucus for
Denver City officers. Mr.. Patterson
replied that the report was entirely
correct, saying that the Democratic
organization was simply the tool of
the utility corporations of the city.
Mr.. Bailey then suggested to Mr..
Patterson that there was but one pro-
per recourse left to him, and that to
change parties and to this suggestion,
Mr.. Patterson replied that Eeither the
sneers nor the innuendoes Of Mr..
Bailey would cause him to swerve
from his intention of following his
conviction rather than the behests of
party. He had no doubt that the ac-
tion of the caucus had been taken for
the purpose of placing him before his
own constituents as bolter and he