The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-12-03
THE ROOSEVELT SPEcTER
Is SEEN AT THE CAPrTAI>-TIE UP
 PROSPECT.
Deadlock Likely-Each Faction | May Cause Republican to turn Cause Republicans to turn
 to Man In Africa.

'
 May Cause Republican to turn
 Cause Republicans to turn
 to Mnn In Aries.
 Water weklman's Washington Special
 to Chicago Record Herald.
 What Is to be the great feature. the really big thing of the coming winter here at the national capital?
 This question I have asked of many competent observers, such as mem bers of the Presidents cabinet. sena- tors, representatives, journalists, and almost without exception the reply Is: The struggle for parliamentary re- form in the two houses of Congress" But Is that large enough for truly national issne" have asked. "Is the proposal to curb the power of Aid rich in the Senate and of Joe Cannon in the House of sufficient importance to engage the attention of the great American people during whole win fer?" Yes" the dearest spectators tell me, because parliamentary reform is only a convenient name for something really vital, intrinsic, far-reaching lying behind it. The actual meaning of the struggle is whether or not we are to. have rule by public opinion or by the interests and special privileges intrenched within the party system in the two houses of Congress"
 Among the possible consequences of this struggle between two antagonis- tisi forces within the Republican party. informed circles.
 First-Fai1ure of all important leg islation this coming winter, and the end of the session coming in a cloud of inaction, pickering and discomfort.
 Second-The Taft administration. which is still on trial before the coun- try, falling into the slough of do-noth- ingism and dissatisfaction. and fall ing to achieve the success and popu- 1arity at which 1t aims, looking to 1912.
 Third-Popular disgust with an in- effective party organization and in consequence an opposition majority In the next House of Representatives, which will continue the failure of the Taft administration so far as any con- structive or remedial Legislation is concerned.
 Fourth--A general turning of the dissatisfied people to that positive, ag- gressive, original. picturesque and in- teresting personality, the Man in Af- rtca.
 The attitude of the reformers the radicals, the progressives? Nothing Is ever settled till 1t is settled right. We do not hope to accomplish much just now. but we will keae the torch burning, and we know its light spreads far over the western prairies. The Republican party cannot to the party of progress and construction re- spending to the will of the people. till Aidrichism is destroyed in the Senate and Cannonism Is uprooted in the House. As long as the old Bourbon, FNn nfA tx.a ffA af h A mighty in the American commons. that stands as signal that the interests and special privileges are in com mand We will never stop till we get his head in a basket. Many of us will fall by the wayside. The Re- publican party may suffer defeat next fall But this Is battle which must be fought to finish, and we know the people are with us.'
 The attitude of the Bourbons? "This is a country of party rule, and ma jorities control parties. We are the majority. Therefore we are the party. If our mistaken brethren of the minority want to make trouble and party success in the next general cleo fiohA. there Is no way to stop them. We shall go on with our business as if they were not in existence"
 The attitude of President raft? This is delicate topic. It is also difficult to ascertain what his attitude really is. There is a reasonable doubt If he has formulated one. But I have made persistent inquiries as to this and the following Is what I find as the pro- babflity:
 President Taft is determined to maintain & neutral attitude between the two wings of his party. He does not wish, now or at any time to be drawn into the quarrel. As the ofi- cio head of the party he will as- sume that both reformers and Bour- bons are good Republicans and, while telling them to settle their differences among themselves. he will urge them not to block the wheels of Legislation not to bring about deadlock and a period of stagnation and jiscontent
 The President. acording to his friends and comhdantes, Is much worr- fed over the situation. He perceives the dangers of It He realizes that his own future is at stake. In this connection, it is no longer a state secret that President Taft Is eager to be his own successor. This natural, rightful and laudable ambition has taken hold of him. as 1t takes hold of almost every man who enters the
  framed with that end In view. But he is still undetermined whether his strongest course lies in aggressiveness or in compromise; in taking a bold stand for something large and vital. anw making fight for 1t, or In slid ing along. trying to keep friends with both sides, and. if legislation fails and nothing is done. placing the re- sponsibtlity upon the warning fac- tions at the capitol.
 It is a matter of common talk here that the administration has not yet quite found itself" It is not quite sure where 1t. stands. what it wants to ldo, whither 1t Is going. While trying to dicover itself 1t is doing It's best to give the country a good. sound cafefuI. business-like administration without fuss, or noise.
 Mir Taft's position is a delicate and