The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1906-05-18
PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT BACKS
DOWN.


DOWN.
The deal between President Roose-
velt and a majority of the United
States Republican senator's has gone
through, and the Allison amendment
is part of the Rate bill now before
Congress. This proves the charge
that the President had undergone a
change of heart, and establishes be-
yond question that he has completely
backed down from his original posi-
ton.
1t will be remembered that a mi
nority of Republican United States
senator's, with almost the solid
Democratic phalanx, have been
standing for provision in the Rate
bill, which allows only the review
guaranteed by the Constitution of
the United States.
While this is a legal point, yet lay
men are greatly interested. These
columns have heretofore pointed out
the difference between the two op-
posing elements. The Republicans
have insisted that United States dis
trict courts be included in the
authority to review the acts of the
Interstate Commerce Commission,
while the Democrats commended that
there should be no review further
than that guaranteed by the Consti-
tuition of the United States, which
expressly provides for the creation of
a Supreme Court, whose duties and
limitations are independent of any
act of Congress.
Senator Tillman, who has had
charge of the minority bill in the
Senate, on Saturday took occasion
to make public the different inter-
views that have taken place between
he and President Roosevelt, through
the intervention ofex-Senator Chand-
ler-the senator from South Caro-
lima is not On speaking terms with
the President, and hence the go-be-
tween. Mr.. Tillman disclosed the
details that led up to the present
climax, and his words are verified by
Mr.. Chandler. President Roosevelt
stated that he was prepared to make
a final stand for no other review than
what the Constitution provided, and
it was found that between the mi
nority Republicans and the Demo-
Gratis enough votes could be mus
tered to sustain this contention.
The complete backdown by Presi-
dent Roosevelt renders almost ridicu-
lous this combination, and the de.
nouncement Of the Presidents ac-
tions is not to be wondered at.
Since the Inauguration of President
Roosevelt there has been prevail
ing feeling that he was President of
the whole people. Several times he
has made great promises and threat
ened to carry the same to consum-
nation. if exigencies so required.
This was the first test on any great
matter of interest, and the people
can see how they have been treated.
1t was our proud boast that Mr..
Roosevelt was free from any entang-
ling alliances, but his agreement to
this corporation legislation forces US
to make change of front.
The minority press of this country
opposed the election of President
Roosevelt because of the fact that
his campaign had largely been made
with money contributed by corpora
tions. This assertion was made be-
fore the election, and has since been
proven IN the insurance investiga-
tions. However, we thought that
his incumbency would be a case
where honor would spring from dis
honor, but it seems that we are Woe
fully mistaken, and our President is
nothing more or less than an ordi-
nary Republican, influenced and con-
trolled by the corporate interests
that seem to have their hands at the
throat of the Government.