Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-02-18
SENATE HITS IN DARK
Republicans, With Tillman As
the Scapegoat Open New
Attack on President
AN EXPLOSION PREDICTED


Will Vet Rlunder and Turn tho Tide
Of Popularity Away-consress Fear
to Fight Him Openly Because Of Hit
Strong Hold on the People.
Washington, Feb. 1s.-"Ye gods
what couldn't we do to him II we were
minority party and Roosevelt DEM
ocratic president said leading mem
Der of the house Saturday. But what
can we do, with the newspapers and
magazines and people of the country
ali combined in the opinion that he is
the greatest public man the United
States has ever produced? But you
mark me- There will be an explosion
yet that will shake the country, II
things go on much longer as they are
now going. 1t can not be avoided. We
are too perilously near to q dictator
ship. Just think Of it. Some three
thousand persons, il we are correctly
informed. employed for special pur-
poses in the various departments OF
the government, without authority OF
law, and some OF them in direct vio-
lation OF the law. Can such q condi-
tion OF things be submitted to forever
without protest from the laW-making
branch Of the government, unless we
are prepared to drift into an absolute
monarchy?
The foregoing is fair sample Of the
talk to be heard about the capitol
Members from all parts of the country
ara giving vent to criticism OF the
same kind, yet not one of them, so far,
has had the courage to speak out in
the open.
The senate has adopted a. resolution
demanding from i've OF the executive
departments full and complete informa-
ton regarding the special employees
placed upon the payrolls at the order OF
the president. The resolution did not
specifically mention the president, but
everyone understood who was meant
That resolution was introduced by q
democratic senator, apparently selected
on account of the notoriety of his
animosity for Mr.. Roosevelt. yet the in
formation upon which the resolution
was drawn and perfected did not ema-
nate from democratic sources. It was
revealed to the people up on Capitol
hill thru the hearings held by the house
committee on appropriations. during
which hearings various heads OF the
different executive departments are
reasons for the appropriation OF the
sums OF money they have asked con-
Eress to give them.
This information was carried to the
SEN Re leaders of the republican party
by members of the house committee on
and, singularly enough,
such a president batter as Senator Till
man presently offered a resolution CALI
ing for the very information, and the
senate adopted it without opposition.
indeed. four republican senator's rise in
their places and offer suggestions for
the perfectioS of the resolution SO as
to more surely bring out just exactly
what the president had been doing in
the way Of appointing people on his
own hook to investigate the admins
tration Of the government
The matter, as far is it has gone,
shows that the most hostile feelings to-
ward the president entertained by any
one are entertained by members of his
own party. Yet they dare not give
voice to what they feel. The republi-
can members OF the house committee
on appropriations are undoubtedly in
possession of enough information at the
present moment to answer all the ques-
lions carried in Senator Tillman's reso-
luton. But they do not tell 1t except
when talking onfidentially, as was the
member quoted above. They will not
make public what has been revealed to
them In the committee room. But their
luminosity lis shown by the fact that the
democrats OF the senate are placed il.
= position where they may do some-
thing which Is plainly hoped to humili-
ate the president. The information
asked by the Tillman resolution will be
public property when 1t is furnished
to the senate by the various depart
ments, and will, of course, find its way
into the papers with due speed.
< Another popularity about the Till
man resolution is this: It has always
been the policy Of both houses of con-
greas. a Difference to the chief exc y
tive and his cabinet, to draw such re !.
buttons Of inquiry SO as to leave I'll :.
explicit answer at the discretion Of :
department to whom addressed. S, /,
resolutions have invariably stated t
the information was asked, "if not
with the good of the pull
service"
q But this Tillman resolution reveals
the bad blood brewing by it's peremp-
tory language 1t leaves nothing to the
Judgment Of any cabinet officer or any
one else. It reads like this: Resolved,
that the secretary of the treasury, the
attorney general, the secretary Of the
interior, the secretary Of commerce and
labor, the secretary of agriculture and
the Interstate commerce commission
Are hereby severally directed to report
the senate at their earliest convent
lnce," etc. There is no doubt that the
resolution means business, and that 1t
is hoped by means Of it to begin to
throw down the presidents wonderful
prestige.
: There will be an explosion" says
the house member quoted, himself being
high in the national councils Of the re-
publican party and often referred to as
destined for high honors at the hands
of that party. 1--WE can't stand it
forever"
But" you may say to him. why do
you not cut loose? You know all about
the things YOU complain of. Why don't