The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-03-15
A second-Hnnd Argument.

tracted the attention Of the people as
an advocate Of lower tariff duties.
A Secondhand Argument.
Occasionally there are Indications
That the resourcefulness of the Presi-
dent is being sorely taxed in dealing
with Democrats of Congress- President
Roosevelt has only recently allowed 1t
to be generally known that he was an
advocate of the Aldrich currency bill.
Republican Senator's. in advocating the
bill. have carefully refrained from in
dicating the attitude of the President
toward it, an omission which has been
commented upon by Democrats. But
in the course of the past week or sud-,
a matter. Mr.. Roosevelt has been openly
urging Republican Senators, and even
Democratic as well. to vote for the bill
when 1t is put upon its passage.
1t is IN urging the bill upon Demo-
cratic Senator'S that Mr.. Roosevelt has
shown that lack of resourcefulness and
originality which has hitherto dstin-
guished the ablest politician who ever
lived in the White House. He tells the
Democratic Senators whom he invites
TO the executive offices to discuss the
subject that the Adrich bill is In no
Sense a partisan measure, and that he
urges its claim solely because the
u.
This was precisely the argument
which the President used with Demo
cratic Senators in the spring and sum
mer OF 1906. when he had one or mor.,
of them TO see him every day for the
purpose of influencing them to support
the railway rate bill. He assured them
that it was not in any sense partisa n
measure, and that patriotic considera-
lions alone should induce them to sup
port 1t. AS matter Of fact every
Democrat of the Senate save Senators
Morgan and Pettus. OF Alabama voted
xor the bill
But in the congressional oampairn "a
Jew months later. Republican stumpers
al over the country claimed for the
Republican party the credit OF tho
passage of the bill. Democrats do not
2 doubt that the same claim will be made
regarding any currency bill which may
he enacted. despite the assertions OF
Mr.. Roosevelt now that such should
not he regarded as partisan leglsla.
ton.
May Be Ashamed of Aldrfch Bill.
However. Democrats doubt very Sc
riously whether the Republicans Will
be inclined TO. claim credit for the en-
aetment of~the 2drich bill, should it
pc put on the statute books. as there
Z - ot4y'iS tHdl II Is not Dy. anv
means popular with the masses. Tn
reed mary business bodies of the North
and West have formally protested
against Its enactment. II tho bill is
but into law, 1t is likely that .,,oller..
VIII go up which may make those RE-
sponsible for Its enactment wish to
hAve somebody with whom to share TN.
blame therefor. N''
~ Is presumed that the Republicans
VIII get as many Democratic votes ne
may pc needed to pass the Aldrich hill.
si'iee tHey are always able TO go over
70 the Democratic side and get votcs
when hard pressed. II is doubtfuI
whether the bill will pass the Sena,a.
owing ITO Republican opposition. and
no combination has yet been figured
out which will get the bill through
the House. owing 10 the opposition or
Democrats. believed to be solid ana
tbs opposition OF those Republicans
( VINO FAVOR the Fowler bill.
Use of Patronage for Taft,
" a number OF complaints to the Civil
service Commission against the activity
OF Federal oftice-holders in the selec-
Hon OF delegates to the Republican
Hational Convention have been re-
eeiVed. Practically all these complaints
a come from the Southern States. where
r $50 o'tSo-HoluelS unCer the general
Il government constitute the bulk OF the
Republican party.
Il The commission cannot do much tc
relieve conditions. Practically all The
Offenders hold Office by presidential
appointment. and are not under civil
service rules. which forbid .'pernicious
political activity" The office-holders
who are most active and chiefly In.
strumsntal In lining up district and
State conventions for Taf, cannot be
reached.
Politicians Amazed.
Inc manner III which Federal pat.
fohase Is being used TO compass the
nomination of Secretary Taft absolute
!y amazes politicians of all parties.
the ke OF 1t has never been seen in
our time, and there Is no reason Ia
| believe that any President ever an
proached President Roosevelt. the erca,
apostle OF reform in the civil service
IN the reckless manner in which he
Gas used and is using the appointing
power 10 bring about the selection OF
delegates pledged TO vote for the nomi.
nation OF friend Taft.
Some time ago Mr.. Roosevelt apnoin,.
ed Grosvenor Porter TO the place al