Omaha daily bee., 1906-01-04
WIRRING on ROOSEVELT

1t was not to have been expected that
the trust magnates and rulers over rail
way provinces would remain quiescent
and bow their necks to the blows that
are being struck by Theodore Roosevelt
in carrying out his ideals of the square
deal Neither was it expected that the
irrepressible conflict between the presi-
dent and the enemies he has made
would be fought out in the open. In
such pitched battle Roosevelt would
have the advantage of an irresistible
popular sentiment that all the potential
force that could be brought to bear by
the confederated trusts and their allies
could not sway.
The plan Of campaign agreed upon by
the board Of strategy. that is directing
the movement designed to unhorse
Roosevelt, contemplates a warfare from
behind masked batteries and party line
entertainments. Realizing that Roose-
welt would be powerless to carry out his
cherished reforms without the co-opera-
ton of congress, and the dominant ma
iority in congress would not dare TO
array itself against him without sub
stantial party backing, the first attack
is being made by trained corps of paid
sharpshooters, who are shooting poisoned
arrows at Roosevelt through the press.
The first volley from the masked bat
"a Dancnxa1t
bodied in a series Of letters contributed
without extra charge to the leading
newspapers Of the country Immediately
after congress had taken its holiday re-
cess. and here is sample brick Of the
kind of warfare which is about to be
waged:
What does President Roosevelt and his
political advisers intend to do with the
republican party? This is the question that
the thoughtful man in the dominant or
ganizatlon is asking himself. Senators and
representatives who have remained at the
ca pital during the holiday recess are more
mystifled than the people Of other sections
of the land. because of their nearness and
accessibility to the chief executive. They
cannot ascertain the next move at the
White House and they have to look afar
into New York and Illinois in order to de-
tect the working out of the presidents
plans.
Strictly speaking, there is no longer any
mystery regarding the presidents inten-
tons. His Is an ambition of a new and
interesting sort. Although II hints at
political dictatorship, he is not aspiring to
personal benefit from them. He wants to
be a warwick, not a Caesar He would
make presidents In the future, but he
would not accept the scepter for himself.
He would select our rulers, but would
disclaim all intention TO direct their
policies. He would name the candidates
and only ask the American people to en-
dorse his choice. That is all he proposes
TO accomplish.
He asks the rank and file OF his own
party TO believe that he is without personal
ambition further than an addition of the
| title of United States senator TO his life's
history. Seriously such a proposition must
give anxious cause to many OF his warm
est friends and supporters. I.
Therefore, approaching so important
! theme, we feel bound to repeat. What does
President Roosevelt and his advisers intend
to do with the republican party?
Then follows diatribe of subtle
speculations calculated to arouse dis
trust among republicans In the presl-
dents course and designed to create a
breach between him and the republican
congress. Reading between the lines,
the disquisition on Roosevelt's relations
to the republican party is manifestly an
attempt to pave the way for members
of congress that are AFFILIATED with cor
porations to find an excuse for side
stepping on the question of railway
regulation and other vital issues in the
advocacy or which President Roosevelt
simply voices the known sentiment of
the American people.