The Washington times., 1909-03-08

Now thzt tire Sixtieth Congress has
wound I'D the session and gone into
history, it is to be noticed that the col
lisions between President Roosevelt ana
the legislative body were not nearly so
numerous along toward the end of the
session as had been freely predicted
and quite generally expected.
The end OF the Administration and of
Congress was much more peaceful than
il seemed likely il would be
For instance. Benjamin Ryan Flll-
man, Senator from South Carolina, did
not unIoosen his batteries on Roosevelt
as he threatened to do for a time. About
the time the President exposed Senator
THIman's alleged relations to certain
Oregon lands, Senator Tillman made
speech on the floor in defense Of him
self and gave notice he would make an
other later He went 10 work TO prepare
a mass of data about some of the dOings
of President Roosevelt.
It was promised the searchlight would
he turned on the President in a way
that would be At once entertaining and
edifying. But the promised speech Of
Senator Tillman had not been delivered
up to noon OF March and is buried
deep in the pipeonholes of the South
Carolina Senator's desk. Tt was doubt
less owing TO the opposition of many
Of his colIea CUES That Senator Tillman
did not fare forth along toward the
close of the session and lambast the
President.
Change of Rules Planned.
Senator Lodge proposed a change in
the rules which was calculated TO pre-
vent a repetition Of the first attack
-,
r,le had the backing Of many Senators.
most OF whom were not moved by hk-
ing for President Roosevelt, but felt
that an attack on the Chief Executive
was unseemiy.
The effort to stir up trouble over the
Presidents course III permitting the
Steel corporation to absorb the Ten
nessee Coal and Iron Company. prac-
tfcauy came TO nothing. In the last
days OF the session, a report was forth
coming from the Senate Judiciary Com .
mittee which was 10 the effect the alb
sorption was in contraventton OF ex-
listing law. This was signed by seven
members OF the committee, a ma tOrsty,
out several expressed individual views
the effect of which was to temper thu
report as a whole and leave whatever
or rebuke to the President there WIS
in the report without much sting.
Roosevelt Had Advantage.
The President had a certain advan-
tage in the Tennessee Coal and Iron
Company situation which made II diff
ficult for the Senate Judiciary Com
mittee TO assail him. Undoubtedly a
majority of the committee wanted to
'shy a brick at him. but on the other
hand. representations were made to
Senators that a vigorous attack on the
United States Steel Corporation such as
would be followed by action of the De
pa Ttnent of Justice, or would stir up
the business world with fear that an
attack was coming, would be- harmful
| to business conditions.
Also the President IS credited Wit
| having won over Senator Clarke Of
| Arkansas, one of the Democrats on the
committee. by important concessions 10
him IA the way of Arkansas patronage
! according TO Democratic cloakroOla
gossip.
For a time there was talk that the
President would take occasion in a
| farewell address TO set before Congress
once more his views as 10 a large num-
| Der of public questions and that he
would rake Congress fore and aft for
| its sins of omission and commission.