The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-04-11
IS THE WIND cHANGINGs

It Is an old and well-known adage that "straws show which way the wind blows" and it sometimes holds good in politics. The Hartford Times thus comments on case in point:
 Mir Roosevelt went out of his way, in his latest special message to Con- gress to give notice-no President ever did such a thing before-that he would veto any bill that might be sent to him granting franchises to private corpor- time limit and the reservation of the right of the Federal Government to collect tolls for the use of the water. Yesterday the Senate passed bill granting the right to a company to dam the Snake River in the State of Wash ington. and when Senator Perkins of California attempted to amend the bill in conformity with the Presidents de- clared he would never permit the amendments to be adopted. because he asserted that they Involved the exer- else of unconstitutional power by the seen whether the House of Represent atives will show a similar spirit of in- dependence. If Mir. Roosevelt were to be President for another four years we might see a few bills passed by Congress over his veto, perhaps
 Of course The Times is not surprised when Roosevelt takes liberties that no President ever ventured on before. He has such a habit of doing just such things that the only reason for sur prise at any time is when he allows some time to pass without doing some thing that other Presidents would not have done. His action in the case re- ferred to was in line with his general course of conduct. so it should be no cause qf surprise, E
 But 1t is somewhat encouraging when the Senate passes a bill which is in the nature of direct rebuke to Roosevelt, and refuses to amend it to suit his dictatorial views. It shows at least a fiutter of independence and loyalty to the Constitution. at all events. whether anything more Is ac- complished or not. The intimation of The Times that with four more years passed over his veto" Is not such a wild speculation. Four years more of him might see a Democratic Congress, and even if that failed to come about we are of the opinion that even his own party would become tired of him and his methods and refuse to be dictated to by him. Legislative bodies have been known to revolt against an exec utive of their own choosing and such a thing would be by no means surpris- ing if Roosevelt should again be elect ed and his party retain control of Con- gress.
 One of the great troubles under which the Republicans of the country are Iaboring is due to the fact that they find themselves in the unpleasant condition of the man who was hold ing a bear by its paws and calling Justify for somebody to come and help him turn it loose. They've got Roose- welt. or hes got them. we are not sure which it is, and can't turn him loose. If they revolt against him and he should again be elected. or if a man of his own choosing should succeed him, farewell to their chances at the pie counter On the other hand, if they throw him over. and with him the men and the policies he stands for. 1t might create a revulsion in the party that would sweep it out of pow CT. Looking at the matter from any point of view. there's hope.