The Washington herald., 1907-01-09
COUTELYOU HELD UP.
Teller and Daniel Object to
His Confirmation.
FUTURE PLANS UNCERTAIN
Some Democrats Favor Concerted
Move to Prevent Conformation of
Appointment ns Secretary Of Treas
ury-senhtor La Toilette May Join
Forces with the Minority.

Opposition to the confirmation Of
George B. Cortelyou's nomination as Sec
retary Of the Treasury developed yester-
day in the Senate Committee on Finance
when Mr.. C0rtelyou's case was brought
up for action. At the request Of Senator
Daniel, Of Virginia, and Senator Teller,
OF Colorado, the ranking Democratic
members Of the committee. consideration
Of the nomination was postponed for a
week.
Neither Senator Daniel nor Senator
Teller gave any reason for desiring the
postponement. other than that they were
not prepared to act in the matter, but IT
Is evident from what was said afterward
by some OF their party colleagues that
the Democrats are considering the ad-
visibility Of making "A concerted effort 10
prevent Mr.. Cortelyou from taking the
Treasury portfolio. Their general ground
Of criticism is that Mr. Cortelyou had in-
innate dealings with great financial in
terests when he was chairman Of the
Republican national campaign committee,
and for that reason should not be placed
In charge of the finances Of the nation.
position In which his relations with
these same financial interests would
necessarily have 10 be continued This is
revival Of the Old charge that Mr..
Cortelyou made the big corporations dis
gorge large sums for the expenses Of the
Republican campaign Of 1904
How far the opposition to Mr. COrtei-
you has made progress among Democratic
Senators is not clear They have talked
the matter over among themselves. and
a fight. Others, however, are inclined
&c go slowly. and ia the uncertainty that
exists as 10 a course Of action. it was
deemed advisable by Senators Daniel and
Teller 10 secure postp0nement OF Mr.
Cortelyou's nomination for a week IN or
der that they and their colleagues might
make up their minds as 90 a plan OF pro
cedure.
Notice Served Last Week.
Mr. Daniei and MIR. Teller served notice
last week on the Republican members OF
the finance committee that they would
oppose favorable report on Mr.. Cor
Jelyou's case as long rs he retained the
chaTmanship Of the Republican National
Committee. and If the nomination were
reported while he stiH held the chair
manship. they would make a determined
fight in the Senate against confirmation.
II seemed when Mr. COrtelyou retired
from the head Of the Republican p0litl-
cal organization that the opposition 90
him bad disappeared. but the Democrats,
or some of them, evidently believe that
the opportunity 70 secure advantage
through further opposition is too good TO
lose.
So far only one Republican Senator
has shown gns Of siding with the Demo-
Gratis n the proposed fght against Mr.
Cortelyou He is Mr.. Ia Toilette, OF Wis
consin, whose political colleagues are
looking askance 20 his claim 20 being a
member Of the dominant faction. and
may find reason for taking some action
to determine his exact party status If
be should ioir the Democrats in the pro-
posed plan to keep Mr. COrtelyou out Of
the Treasury Department.