The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1907-10-25
Interesting Washington Letter.

Washington. ID. g., oct Il, 1907
Special Correspondence.
President Roosevelt will find upon
hls return here from his bear hunt,
that revolt against his policies will
need his attention. a desperate in
temecine fight is impending in the
ranks of the Republican leaders for
control of the party organization. The
Presidency and Congress is at stake.
Legislation iu tine coming Congress de
ponds upon the preliminary shrmish
The removal of the headquarters Of the
Republican Congressional Committee
from New York to Washington is he
frst open step taken TO notify Presi-
dent Roosevelt that his anticipated ei-
fort to dominate Congress ut The COM
ing session as NE did at the last session
Will not be tolerated by the leaders.
An evidently inspired article i'm the
Washington Post outlines the plans Of
the rcactionary Republican leaders,
and states their ultimaium TO the
President and their threats TO those
Republican Congressman who are IN
clined TO take tips from the White
House instead of from the speaker.
Briefly stated the main points set forth
are:
The campaign for the election Of Re
publican members OF Congress is TO bc
entirely distinct from the campaign for
president. especially in collecting and
discussing campaign funds.
The status of those members Of Con-
gress who side with President Roose-
welt for more radical legislation twill
be taken account of by the Congress
sional Committee ln its future dealing
with these same members when they
become candidates"
Corporations and trusts "that pros
per best when Republicans are in power
and when Republican policies prevail
are notified they must contribute to
the Congressional Committee, and that
any contributions they may make to
the Republican National Committee
will not count, when favorable legisla-
ton is asked for.
This announced policy Of the Re
publican leaders 10 cut loose from
the President is political game for
high stakes, and the Congressional
players evidently don't intend TO be
short of cash if the fat can be fried out
of the corporations. As President
Roosevelt said in dealing with Harri
man for campaign contributions eve
are practical men," and these Con
gre,sional Republicans are equally
practical in their ideas Of raising a cor
ruption fund.
1t will he interesting to Democrats
TO notice how the Republican members
Of Congress will line up ON these pro-
positions. How many will adhere to
the Presidents side and who will rally /
around Speaker Cannon and the other
leaders. The Republican I
members Of the Senate, Of course, will /
be divided on similar lines, out per
haps fortunately for them they will /
not be compelled to show their hands
until the Republicans Of the House
have exposed theirs.
There is one feature of thi, fight tina,
draw the Democrats into it, although
On the general principles of letting the
enemy fight it out and then whip The
survivors, it were better To- keep sloof
rom changing alliance with either
action. but try and force the enact
nent Of legislation necessary for the
rest interests of the whole country.
President Roosevelt may seek allies IA
he Democratic camp who added to .
MS own friends in Congress would
.ompo "a majority. But after the eX-
lerieuce Of the Democrats of The Sem
tie when the Railroad rate bin was
icing manipulated, Democrats will be
-ery we Try of any oyerture- from Presi-
lent Roosevelt, for fear OF again being
eff in the lurch and abused for their
,ains.
This puts the corporations between
he upper and the neither milestone. II
hould result in any decent trIst or
maguate deciding TO IT.
use 10 be bled 10y either faction. II
here are any trusts it may induce
hem TO flee from such Republican
and 90 rely upon their COM
titutional rights and honest govern
nent for protection against the virtual Z
Of their Assets by the two
Republican factions which control diff
erent branches Oft the government.
The best play President Roosevelt
an make against this revolt, would
e TO have h', friends announce rival
andidate for Speaker against The arch
Cannon. and letithe known
bat rather than see Cannon elected he
'ould favor the election of John Sharp y
Villains, the Democratic leader, as 5
peaker. Tie Republican reaciionary q.
.aders would be helpless without the 9
polls Of the House, and the President !.
Mould be able to control the votes Of p
lough Republican members, who,
ided TO the Democrats, would make
majority. Ii would only require just .
Republicans, tariff reiomers and K