Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1906-01-11

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Il g highly significant that the United
States Senate 30 quickly accepted the
challenge Of President Roosevelt FOR
challenge e was-in relation 10 the work
llrcady done on The Panama Canal under
tho virtual direction Of the President.
And the action Of the Senate was unani-
nous, another significant feature.
The situation which brought about tho
ordering Of an investigation by the senate
was, IN brief, as follows; Congress appropri-
ated sl0,OO0.O00 forwork on the Panama
Canal vesting the expenditure Of the APP
preparation entirely in the disc1tion Of
the President. Charges began % appear
70 the effect that gross iavoritism and
wild extravaganza had attended the canal
expenditures, which were conducted on a
scale which sent them largely ahead OF tho
sum entrusted 70 the Presidents disposal.
On Monday last tho President sent 70 the
Senate q very scolding letter 10 which he
insisted that there had been no irregulari-
ties M the canal expenditure under his
administration, that good men only had
been employed to do the work, and that
good work had been done by them.
The next day the Senate adopted the
following resolution. which was offered by
Senator German Of Maryland.
Resolved, That the COMMITTEES on in
tefoccanic canals or any mbcommittoe
thereof be and arc hereby authorized and
erected TO investigate an matters rolat-
ing to the Panama Canal and the govern
ment OF the Canal Zone and the manage
mont Of the Panama Railroad Co., to send
for persons and papers and to administer
oaihs and employ a stenogTapher to report
such hearings; and that the committee be
authorized 10 at during the sessions or
recess Of the Senate, and that an expenses
thereof be paid out Of tho contingent
fund Of the Senate"
This action on the part Of the senate
brings the ontirc subject Of the Panama
Canal within the scope Of the proposed
Investigation, and there is little doubt thas
the scrutiny will be thorough. Some Of
the charges affecting the Presidents canal
administration have been made public.
but those that have been exploited in this
manner are scarcely circumstance. Il "a
said, 20 Others that have been quietly cir
culalod around Washington after having
been iirt communicated TO senators and
Representative in Congress. It is these
sub-rosa charges which constitute the
gravamon Of the attacks upon the Presi-
dents administration,and there is a proba-
bility that they win impart decidedly
sensational tinge 70 the investigation a.
soon az the hearing Of testimony gets fairly
under way.
II Is not difficult 10 punch holes in the
Presidents angry disclaimer 20 Congress,
and some newspaper writer's have already
pointed out marked Inconsistencies be-
tween the claims Of the President and tho
statements contained IN the official no
ports Of the Canal Commission. That
further discrepancies will attend tho rev.
Citations Of the Investigation is more than
probable.
Various explanations may be offered
for the surprising action Of the Senate IN
30 quickly and unanimously taking up thc
gage Of battle thrown down by President
Roosevelt, but the only reasonable ok.
plantation is that It 5 Tie opening note Of
the ''ireprcssible conflict" between tn,
Executive and Congress which was 50
freely predicted in advance Of the session
Clearly the two agencies have come TO tn,
"parting Of the ways" The President /.
insistent, and the Congress tho Senate
at least--is FAR from compliant. That th,
situation viii lead TO open war Is highly
probable, for the Senate is opposed TO IN,
Presidents desire for railroad rate loeis
ntion, to say nothing Of other measures
while the Republican majority Of IN,
House is FESTIVE and may not be relied
upon 70 sustain the President in every
thing be asks for
Itwould not be Hirprising II the clos,
Of the session should find President Roose
welt in the position Of President Andrew
Johnson-at war with his party maiont,
in each branch Of Congress. And IN,
Panama Canal Investigation may lead &,
the first act Of open war.