The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1906-02-08
CONSCIENCE
COMES FIRST
Patterson In Dsfens0 Of Revolt
Against Caucus Rule.
4 VERY DRAMATIC INCIDENT
Charged BY Bailey With Having Been a
[, Party 10 Adoption Of Two Thirds
Caucus Rule

Washington, Feb s-Yesterday,' for the
first time in many years. the senate
chamber was made the scene OF an effort
20 administer party discipline to mem
Der OF that body. and the occurrence
was one Of so many dramatic details that
the many witnesses will not soon forget
t.
Mr.. Patterson was the subject OF the
effort and Mr. Bailey. TO whom, In the
absence OF Mr.. German. Democratic
leadership is conceded. was the instru-
ment OF his party in the incident.
The proceedings arose In connection
with the consideration OF Mr.. Patterson's
resolution OF demonstration against eau
Gus action on treaties with foreign ma
tions.
The Colorado tor yesterday called
up his resolution Immediately after the
conclusion OF the routine morning busi-
ness and addressed the senate on Il. The
facts concerning the caucus proceedings
OF Saturday and his withdrawal from
the caucus were fresh in the minds Of
senators.
A SARCASTIC ARRANGEMENT
Mr.. Patterson's speech was I'm the main
an elaboration OF his resolutions. and he
contended stoutly for the right OF a SEN
ator 10 follow the dictates of his con-
science rather than the demands Of his
party In all matters regarding which the
two may be I'm conflict.
II was not until after he had concluded
that the proceedings took an air Of in
tensity and excitement. Mr.. Bailey, as
well as most Of the members OF the party.
had interpreted Mr. Patterson's resolu-
tions as a deliberate reflection upon the
Democratic caucus and from the moment
that Mr.. Bailey arose he assumed an
aggressive and somewhat taunting man
ner toward the Colorado senator.
His speech was based upon the theory
that all senator's are under obligations
10 obey conscience rather than caucus,
but that in doing so they antagonize their
party and should hold themselves respon-
sble TO their party. but the speech was
more notable for It's arragnment OF Mr..
Patterson for his course than for its ad
herence 10 any line Of argument
DANGER IN CAUCUS DICTATIoN
Mr. Bailey charged the senator from
Colorado with having been n party 20
the adoption in n previous caucus OF
the rule binding Democratic senator's. the
two-thirds rule. This charge and Mr..
Patterson's response to It constituted
most drastic Incident. and the feeling
throughout the senate chamber was very
intense until the climax was passed
MFR. Patterson failed to recall the pro-
ceedngs OF the previous caucus and Mr..
Bailey's colleague Mr.. Culberson. was
prepared with a copy OF those proceed
ings. and when he had exhibited II Mr.,
Patterson said that he would not under
take TO dispute the record.
He was inclined at first 10 charge com
plicity 10 dsparge him before his coll
leagues and the country, but afterward
said that he was not 40 much concerned
over his apparent Inconsistency on his own
part as he was over the effect that the
epringing OF the matter would have upon
the main issue. which was TO exhibit to
the country the danger there IS in caucus
dictation,
CALLED A BOLTER
Mr.. Patterson did not appear until a
few minutes before the expiration OF the
morning hour He was very promptly
recognized by the chair. He began with
q few words OF a personal nature. saying
there was nothing he disliked more than
10 inject his own personality into public
question, but at times such a course was
necessary.
lie had he said, supposed that his for
mer remarks on the Santo Domingo treaty
would be passed over as inconsequential.
but the action of the Democratic caucus
OF last Saturday had made It evident to
him that he felt that he was within the
censure OF that caucus. He had not been
impelled to change his position.
He said he had been called n "bolter"
and a white House Democrat" and that
New York paper had even said that
there had been an understanding between
himself and the president and that an
understanding about patronage and the
senator's reelection had been reached.
DEFENDED THE SYSTEM.
Mr. Bailey then took up the defence Of
the caucus system and asked Mr.. Patter-
son II he considered that the same objec-
tions which he had made To senatorial
caucuses should apply to caucuses for the
choosing OF candidates.
Mr.. Patterson replied that the two cau-