Omaha daily bee., 1909-12-04

Whatever may be the rank assigned by
history to Theodore Roosevelt the states
man, contemporary judgments agree that
Theodore Roosevelt the politician knows no
superior. No other president was SO sue
cessful in dealing with hostile congresses,
no other president was able to carry on a
bitter warfare with other leaders Of his
own party without breaking the solid front
presented to the opposition, no other presi-
dent was so often able to command the
Ostenslble and ostentatious support of a
congress which at heart opposed him and
all his works. And yet Mr.. Roosevelt
was never hard-headed or obstinate. He
obtained as much as he could from con-
gress, and then compromised on the theory
that half-a-loaf is better than no bread.
II was these compromises, presenting to
the public the appearance of a Roosevelt
tlan victory and seeming to the congress-
ional leaders q R~ooseveltian defeat, which
Kept peace in the party.
, Several times during the Roosevelt re-
gime there were clashes between the White
House and the capitol, but usually these
related to matters of minor Importance.
Congress objected most strenuously to a re-
port filed by the fourth assistant postmas-
ter general, now Senator Bristow Of Kan
sas, which mentioned the names Of a great
majority Of members Of congress as hav-
ing used their personal influence to secure
fayors for certain postmasters. The re-
port was submitted in a manner which
might have had the effect Of connecting
the names OF the congressman with the
Postoffce department scandals, then lately
nasovered. AS a matter of fact It Is con
Mdered the duty of a member of congress
TO assist. q postmaster in his district to
secure increased facilities for his office. AT
first congress was furious and there was
wild talk of reprisals against the president.
But some of the leaders were
to the White House, the thing was talked
over, and congress decided not to align
itself against the president. 1t was a
very wise decision.
The senate majority seized upon the
incident of the dismissal Of the negro
soldiers accused Of shooting up Browns
Vile as a basis Of a possible rebuke to the
president. But here the democratic SEN
Rtors came TO the rescue, and Senator
Blackburn Of Kentucky adroitly prevented
the adoption OF a resolution refisctinE upon
the president.
The house Of representatives resented
with Indignation the lnsinuation Of the
president that appropriations for the secret
service were limited because members OF
eNgress feared their own actions might
be subjected to investigation by the GOV.
eminent secret police. There was a great
hue and cry about the thing In Washing.
ton. and the house actually adopted a reso.
luton censuring the president. But the day
It was adopted the president sent q mes
rage TO congress attacking Senator Till.
man Of South Carolina, and the house pro.
test was lost in the greater excitement
caused by the Tillman accusations.
Or subjects Of larger import the congress
was often at odds with the president, but
neither the White House nor the oapitO.
could afford to make the quarrel public
The discipline of the party was so potent
that every difference vas amicably com.
promised. In these differences OF opinion
both the president and congress had some
powerful advantages. Mr. Roosevelt, IN
nearly every instance, had the support OF
the democratic minority, enabling him tC
declare a purpose of passing Legislation
by a combination OF the democrats and tina
minority of his own party which would
advantage the congressional leaders were