The Washington herald., 1907-01-18

The biggest political game the country
has Witnessed recently is in progress on
the floor Of the United States Senate.
Just as the Republicans thought they
had settled all their differences with ref
eTence TO the Brownsville matter. Sen
ator Culberson, of Texas, through the in
strumentaIity Of Senator Blackburn. Of
Kentucky, threw bomb into their camp
and now the members Of the dominant
party are in confusion and discord again.
The discharge of the negro soldiers has
ceased 10 be anything more than a We
hicle for the carrying out Of political
plans. The struggle in the Senate is still
over the Presidents crder Of dismissal
ostensibly, but, actually. IT rsvolves
around the question Of which faction Of
the Republicans-the Rooseveltites or the
Rooseveltites-s control the ma
tional convention next year
Senator Forakers substitute resolution
Of Investigation. offered in the Senate at
the beginning OF his speech Wednesday.
was agreed to By ali his Rep I0lican col
leagues. The amendment wa drafted by
Mr. Foraker and 8lr. L0d> !. jointly, ef-
fective efforts 20 get T. :. together hav-
ing been made while { Democrats were
having their own little quarrel as q re-
suit Of the stand taken by Mr. Tillman.
Just after Mr. Foraker commenced 70
speak Wednesday, and had suggested
that NE wished 10 close the debate Mr
IA
sired to have the privilege Of replying to
any statement Of the Ohioan which might
seem 90 demand an answer from tlg
Democratic side Mr Foraker retorted
that he would probably say some things
10 which the Texan might wish 90 reply
Preparation of the Amendment.
Without paying much attention 20 thi.
statement, Nj CulDerson placed a pad ol
paper on his knee and wrote hurriedly
for five minutes Then he left his seat
crossed over 70 where Air. Berry was sit
ting, and showed the Arkansas Senator
what he had written. Alr. Berry read it
and he and his colleague from Texas dis
cussed 70 for a feW minutes with then
heads close together. Then Mr. Culbers01
went 70 the seat Of 3ir. Blackburn, chair
man OF the Democratic caucus. anS
showed him the same paper he had e2
hibited 20 Mr. Berry. Mr.. Blackburn
nodded approvingiy. After Mr.. CulbersoT
returned 60 his seat and commenced ID
talk with those near him. AIr Blackburn
reread what the Texan had written. Ap
parently. he was much interested in It.
The nature Of the mysterious d0cumen
was disclosed yesterday when, imme
diately after the Foraker resolution wa.
laid before the Senate. Mr. Blackburn
offered an amendment expressly Gisclaim
ing any intention TO question OF den,
the legal right Of the President - dis
charge without honor enlisted men of th
army of the United States" That amend
ment was what Mr.. CUlberson had writ
ten the previous afternoon. and
brought about a complete change ia TIA
situation.
Mr.. Foraker expressed surprise tEa
that issue should be again iuteriected
and said that there was an understand
ing that his resolution was 90 be per
mitted to stand. Mr.. Blackburn said d.
was not a party % any such understand
ing Il was referring 20 the Senator's ol
this side OF the chamber" said AIr. For
aker. whereupon the matter was droppe,
for the time being.
offered for Political Purposes.
The Culberson-B Blackburn ameudmen
was. of course. ctered for political par
poses. the idea being that a vote on j
viii compel the members Of the Presi
dents party in the Senate TO come on
squarely for or against him.
Republican Senators realized the sig
nificance Of the move immediately, an,
went to work at once When Senate
Foraker concluded his speech and me
mortal addresses on the late Senate
Bate were commenced. Messrs. Aldrich
Crane. Lodge. and other prominent Re
publicans held an animated conference
in the rear of the chamber. So interested
did they become that Vice Presiden
Fairbanks was compelled to ask them T.
desist from conversation. whereUpon the.
disappeared in the cloak room.
Senator Aldrich attempted to brinl
about an adjournment until Monday bu
could not secure the consent Of Senate
Whyte. of Maryland, vino had announces
that he would speak on State rights TO
day Mr. Aldrich was compelled &
yield, and the Senate adjourned to 20
day
Republican conferences continued dur
ing the evening. Mr. Aldrich. Mr.. Crane
Mr. Lodge, Mr. Spooner Mr.. Foraker
and others got together in MI Aldrich'
committee room and talked the matte
over. Finally they invited Senate
Blackburn in. He came reluctantly, afte
three invitations. The Republicans wen
to unusual lengths IN their effort to In
duce him TO withdraw his amendment
which he declined fatty to do. however
Mr.. Aldrich threatened to offer anothe
amendment providing for an investiga
ton OF the whole race question, with
view TO asCertaining the extent TO whicl
negroes are disfranchised in the South
and 70 what degree they are discrimi
mated against in other ways Even thi
did not move the Kentucky Senator
however. and the meeting enGed in
manner not at all satisfactory to the Re
publicans.
Democrats Practically Unanimous.
1t is regarde9 as certain that the Black
burn amendment should ii be forced to
vote, would be supported by PRACTICAL!
all the Democrats Mr.. Tillman woul,
oppose it, as would one or two others per
haps, but that is all
1t would have some Republican support
ers, too. The President is already Yer!
much interested because, doubtless. he be
lieves a movement is on foot in the Sen
CONTINUED on THIRD PAGE
To-day at sIoan's, 14Oz C 81.