Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-11-16
SENATOR FORAKER AND THE
OHIO MIDDLE.

dore f. Burton by Mayor Tom l..
I, Johnson in the recent election for
Mayor OF Cleveland. Ohio is the cul-
mination of a political fight. nation
al in its character, and which really
had it's commencement under the
dome OF the Capitol at Washington.
It viii be difficult for one who has
not kept track Of the rapidly chang
ing events 20 understand to what ex-
tent President Roosevelt was inter
ested IN contest which appeared
to be purely local in it's character.
Let us see.
When the distinguished occupant
OF the White House began his cru
SADIE against the trusts in general
and the railroads in particular. he
found that the Republican organiza-
ton in the United States Senate.
under the leadership of Senator Mel
son W. Aldrich OF Rhode Island was
against his policies. This astute
political leader was diplomatic in his
opposition. while Senator J. B. For
aker was bluntly outspoken and ac-
.cepted no compromise in a matter
that ne believed would not afford
the relief expected. He insisted
that the Elkins law. already enacted
was capable OF a construction that
would cure the evils Of which a com
luiafnt had baen roada
The result was that President
Roosevelt. backed by the machinery
OF the government and the senti-
ment OF the people forced the Hep
burn Rate Bill through the United
States Senate. enlisting the active
support OF the Democrats in so do
! ing and being forced into the humil-
iating position or accepting the lead
ership Of Hon. B. r. Tillman Of
South Carolina in so doing. Sena-
tor Foraker and Senator Aldrich
were held responsible for this re-
suit. Senator Tillman's "blunder-
buss' methods endangered the sue
cess OF the measure and when the
| Hepburn Rate Bill was finally enact
ed into law. It was In such shape
that fits own father wouldn't recog-
nize il. The only thing that really
had been gotten through the Senate
practically unchanged was it's name.
and even this was badly damaged
for some Of the legislators insisted
upon calling it the Tulman- Hepburn
Rate Bill.
10 was known from one end of
the country TO the other that Pres
ident Roosevelt and Senator Tiuman
were not even on speaking terms
and accordingly the former was han
dicapped TO the extent that he could
not even consult with the senatorial
leader. who had been given charge
OF his pet measure. That the Chief
Executive OF the nation was wrathy
was a mild way Of expressing g..
Even when compromise was effect
ed among the Republican leaders.
by means OF notifications and
changes. Senator Foraker stood a.
gainst Il. and when the roll was
called voted against the measure.
declaring that the purpose sought
would not be accomplished by the
passage OF this bill.
He declared too that the only con-
viction and punishment OF railroads
had been under the Elkins Bill and
that the Tillman-Hepburn Rate Bill
had been so changed as TO make Il
practically a law acceptable TO the
railroads. Time has demonstrated
the truthfulness OF all that he said.
The shrewd. diplomatic. able repre-
sentative from Rhode Island had
accomplished his designs.
It will be readily seen then that
the feeling of President Roosevelt
towards Senator Foraker was at
white heat. To add to this feeling,
the alleged shooting up OF Browns
Vile. Tex. where Companies B, c. G.
D OF the Twenty-hfth Infantry were
stationed was heralded to the coun-
try. The War Department began an
alleged investigation and accepted
in-toto the statements OF the Texans
backed up by the vehement demands
OF the Senators from the Lone Star
State. In his fight for the passage
OF the Tillman-Hepburn Rate Bill,
President Roosevelt had enlisted the
support OF the Democratic Senators
from the South and was accordingly
under obligations 10 them.
When they represented that Negro
soldiers had fired upon white people
in Brownsville. he accepted exparte
statements; that is, statements OF
only one side to the controversy and
demanded that the companies find
out who we're the guilty men and
deliver them up forthwith to the le-
gal authorities. The failure TO dc
this would result in the summary
dismissal of the entire battalion
both the innocent and the alleged
guilty ones from the service, and