Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1906-02-15
GRILLED PATTERSON
Senator from Colorado Attacked the
Party Caucus.
BITTERLY ASSAILEDBY COLLEAGUES.
Declared the Rule Stripped sena-
tors Of Every Element Of Ende-
pendence and II Liable to
Force Them to Disgrace.

Washington, Feb. S.-Wednesday for
the first time In many years, the SEN
ate chamber was made the scene of
an effort to administer party discipline
to a member of that body, and the
occurrence was one of so many drama
tic details that the many witnesses
will not soon forget 1t. Mr.. Patterson
was the subject of the effort and Mr..
Bailey, to whom, in the absence Of Mr..
German, democratic leadership is con-
coded, was the instrument Of his party
in the incident.
The proceeding arose in connection
with the consideration of Mr.. Patter-
sons resolution of remonstrance
against caucus action on treaties with
foreign nations. The Colorado sena-
tor Wednesday called up his resolution
Immediately after the conclusion Of the
routine morning business and adj
dressed the senate upon 1t. The facts
concerning the caucus proceedings of
Saturday and his withdrawal from the
caucus were fresh in the minds Of
senators. Mr.. Patterson's speech was
in the main an elaboration of his reso-
lutions and he contended stoutly for
the right of senator to follow the die
tates of his conscience rather than the
demand of his party in all matters re-
garding which the two may be in con-
flict. 1t was not until after he had
concluded that the proceedings took
on an air of intensity and excitement.
Mr.. Bailey as well as most of the mem
bers Of his party had interpreted Mr..
Patterson's resolutions as a deliberate
reflection upon the democratic caucus,
and from the moment that Mr. Bailey
arose he assumed an aggressive and
somewhat haunting manner toward the
Colorado senator. His speech was
based upon the theory that all senator's
are under obligation to obey conscience
rather than caucus, but that in doing |
so they antagonize their party and
should hold themselves responsible to
their party, but the speech was more
notable for its arraignment Of Mr.. Pat
terson for his course than for its ad-
herence to any line of argument. Mr..
Bailey charged the senator from Col
orado with having been a party to
the adoption in previous caucus of
the rule binding democratic senators to
the two-thirds rule. This charge and
Mr.. Patterson's response to 1t consti-
tuted most dramatic incident and the
feeling throughout the senate chamber
was very tense until the climax was
passed.
Il will not gainsay the record; 1t is
not impossible without due reflection,
did vote for the binding resolu-
ion. II so the vote was cast without
iue reflection That circumstance can
lot, however. prevent a change Of
curse when after due investigation I 1
,ecome satisfied that the demand Of I
he caucus is in conflict with my sense I
4 justice and antagonistic TO my duty ]
q a senator. whether Inconsistency 9
nay be shown, I am content to let It ]
tand; I win bear cheerfully the cen u
ure or Misunderstanding Of my course G
ne rule does not change the eternal q
uth or the Obligation Of senators to '
bssrvs their oaths Of once" '
Mr. Patterson said he had bolted Z
ONE party nominatons IL hnna ana .