New-York tribune., 1908-02-05
SENATORS QUANDARY
.Suggested Federal Patronage Reso-
IutiOn Presents Problem.
From The Tribune Bureau !

Washington Feb 4-The Senate has a small si.-
phant on It's hands-an elephant not OF the Re7aa-
Iican variety. but rather OF the white persuasion
Thus far il has not shown its head n The lgar e
day nor made IT'S appearance on the floor Gs ths
Senate bur the cloakroonls and COMMITTEES roo-s
II is playing an interesting and important part
II consists Of resolution calling on the President
for information concerning the reports that the
federal patronage has been used TO promote the
noIiticaI welfare OF one OF the Republican -andi-
dates for the Presidential nomination and the ars-
draft was prepared ny Senator Stoua. OF Missouri
Senator Stone has DersIstently declined 20 intro
duce his little elephant the Senate until he could
Obtain assurances that IT would Be passed by tas
Republicans. and there is no doubt that he has
received considerable encouragement from some az
the statesmen on the Republican side OF the cham-
ber hut not enough 20 satisfy him that the resoa-
ton will be adopted
There are several Republican Senator's who would
like 70 see Mr. Stones resolution adopted They
have taken seriously the charges of Senator For
aker that patronage has been improperly used II
Ohio. etc and they would like to So whar The
President has 70 say for himself fortunately tn-
them. however. there ether members Of the
Republican party who have learned trO-r sx1e-f-
encs or observation the danger OF ramperlnz with
the man in the White HOUSE and they ars sssu--
ing their overzsaIous brethren that II II
means safe Ito monkey with a buzzssw
The fact Is thar The President would enjoy moth
ing better than the opportunity such resolurioa
would afford him OF laying before the s-nats. and
particularly the public certain facts regarding n.
federal patronage which would make mighty IN
terestin' readfn" II the Senate voluntarily lays
itself open 10 receive this information. the results.
il Ia predicted Will be not dissfr1ilar those whica
occurred during the Indian ul1tiny. when certain
rnuttnsers were tied 70 the UuZzls % gun and
the piece was discharged
There is q growing suspicion OF rhe Republican
side OF the chamber that Senator Sons appreet-
ates how terrible would be the havoc among bis
misguided Republican colleagues were they 70
adopt his innocent looking little resolution. ard
that fact may result IN abandonment q the pisn
Nevertheless Mr. Stone each day holds OH hIs H.
tie elephant in a tempting manner. ard tH--e
is constant danger that the temptation VII oscore
TOO great for those whose fingers tJcEEg % 10Y
with it Mr. Foraker has returned from OHIO noE.
and the leaders OF the Senate VIII urge him 70 aa
wise the few Senator's who are anxious % prod tHe
Presidential magazine not 10 be 100 1ooLhaTdy, ls-
a serious explosion follow
Observation-Disclosures there are considerably over
thirty OUT OF a Republican membership o- SKY
are regarding the skilful angling Of TIE senator
from Missouri and tire hazardous coqusrtins o.
their Republican brethren generally with 1earIiesS
gee but in some instances with nlodlc1l or gen
uine sympathy.
II is probable that II the Senate does 10- cal l0-
this informal ton by formal resolution i- VIII -
ceive IL anyway. as the Presidential magazine .
fully loaded and Nr. Roosevelt recently rer1arAs1
his locker contains no bird sno--"