The Democratic advocate., 1908-06-12
ROUGH RIDERS AT CHICAGO.
Old Political Leaders Staggered by
ROOsevelt,s Methods.

Old hands at national conventions
profess themselves staggered at the
rough directness with which the Roose-
Welt control of the party machinery is
being exerted. What becomes of the
fine art of politics? Where are all
those nice compromises, that mag
nanimity of the victor, that desire foI
Cancellation and harmony which we
have always understood to be the full
flower of political management? Muir
phy and Conners could scarcely be
more frankly brutal than the Taft
managers have thus far shown them
selves at Chicago. They mean to let
nothing get away. To ride rough-shod
over Senators and Representatives and
protesting committeeman and dele
gates, appears to be their conception
of the height of political wisdom. And
when the result of their strong-arm
tactics was reported to the White
House. he that sitteth in that heaven
held his opponents in derision. Just
see them squirm."
A decent regard for appearances
would have dictated some other
course than having three of Tafts h1r-
ed men turn up with proxies for seats
in the National Committee. 1t would
have been perfectly easy to reach the
desired end without resort to such un-
blushing methods. Surely, there must
have been some Senator other than
Lodge willing to take proxy in Taft's
behalf Among all the well-known
Republicans favoring the Secretary S
haTp hp1n n0SSlhIo
to find two Or three who would have
used the artfully provided proxies, and
thus spared the committee and the
party the affront of having three men
who were known only as paid out OF
the Taft campaign fund step forward
to pass judicially upon credentials
which they themselves had secured.
That would at least have been to
keep a very thin velvet glove over the
iron hand. But it is too hot to wear
gloves in Chicago.
The whole incident, with it's violent
break with party traditions, and the
disagreeable effect it has produced
upon the older Republicans, is but one
evidence more of the great change
which has come over political man
ners and political methods since Mr..
Roosevelt came to look upon the Re-
publican party as his personal prop
erty. To him, the possession of power
without using it to the utmost, is sheer
folly. The nomination of Secretary
Taft is his doing. He ordered it. He
set the whole Federal machinery to
work for the purpose OF bringing it
about. All the other Taft managers
were putty in his hands. AS for the
party, what does it exist for but to
AXE instructions from him? Disci-
pline must be maintained; and if any
eft-oyer Republicans of an epoch be-
'ore the age Of brass think that the
lelicacies and the decencies ought to
De observed in running national con-
-ention, it is time that they learned
heir mistake. This is the day OF
Thorough.
1t is clear that the President re- |
,ards the Chicago Convention not only |
IS a body with no other reason for |
,eing except to do his will, but also
S the beginning of the vast plebiscite !
which is to justify and glory himself.
ike Louis Napoleon, he thinks OF the /
ppeal to the people as merely the
leans OF confirming bis wisdom and
Tightening MS power. Also like Ma
oleon Ill, he believes that no gov
authority can be respect
BILE, or feared, unless it is both single
nd strong-''un ct fort" Hence the
ntire reasonableness, even the neces-
ity, from his point of view, of round
1g up and branding delegates as if
hey were cattle.
Protests at Chicago against the
owboy plan are taking the form of
warning about the result at the
oils. Senator Crane has gone to the
aft rough-riders with a reminder
hat an election comes after the nomi-
.ation, and is even more important.
BUT this only provokes fresh laughter
n the White House, and renewed in
tructions to yield nothing. When the
lection comes, the President will at
end to that. In his most skilled and
practical" way, he will see to raising
he necessary funds; and if speeches
md kilograms and battlecries are
leedful, Mr.. Roosevelt will stand
ready to provide them. The obvi- |
,us fact is that the President believes
Ill that he is told about his absolute
lold upon the people of this country.
lie can do what he likes, give any or
lers that suit him. 1t is just as easy, |
n his opinion, to cram his candidate
lown the throats of the electorate, as
t is to force him upon the Convention.
80 the protesters at Chicago may rest
veil assured that no alarm which they
'aise about the danger of dissensions
n the party and possible defeat in the
election, will have the slightest effect
lpon the man who rules them with
rod of iron. He remains serenely
confident that the people will give
pack to him every power which he
chooses to exercise. The Chicago
Convention may protest and make
aces, but it will have to resign itself
o being personally conducted. IN.