New-York tribune., 1910-01-05
TO Hit INSURGENTS
THE PRESIDENT NAY
DISCIPLINE =THEM.
Their Patronage in Danger If
They Obstruct Programme
of administration.
tFrom The Tribune bureau

dent may deem it necessary to discipline
the insurgents in the two houses of Con-
gress to the end that his administration
may prove successful and sthat they may
not hold up important legislative meas
| ures for the purpose of making political
capital became known to-day through
what is said to be a breach of confidence
on the part of Representative Miller, of
Minnesota.
1t is learned that the insurgents have
been making a desperate effort to have
| all their patronage matters disposed of
early in the session and have been pro-
testing vigorously because. immediate ac-
ton could not be obtained. The Presi
dent and his advisers are not disposed,
however, to yield to their wishes with
out some assurance that ithe insurgents
do not purpose to act throughout the
session with the Democrats
Despite statements to the contrary, the
attitude of the President has nothing to
d. with the course of the insurgents re-
garding Speaker Cannon. Mr. Taft will
take no part in the fight against
Mr. Cannon, but he does hesitate TO
strengthen the position of the insurgents
by needing their recommendations with
regard to patronage if such strength is
to be used only to obstruct legislation. to
defeat the aims of the administration
and to prevent legislative action on it's
recommendations.
In some cases, as, for instance, that of
Senator La Toilette, Mr., Taft has be-
come convinced that insurgents have no
higher aim than self -gl@rifcation, that
they are willing at any time to act with
the Democrats to the detriment of the
Republican party for their own selfish
purposes, and that if they can get such
patronage as would naturally fall TO
their lot they can be counted on to
hinder the orderly progress of legisla-
ton throughout the remainder of the
session The situation presents a diff
cult problem, and no decision has been
reached
The Postmaster General has never
stated officially that any programme had
been adopted by the administration. but
an intimation by him that the subject
was under consideration at the White
House was to-day made the occasion of
an outburst by Representative Miller at
the Capitol.
MILLER CREATES SENSATION.
Mr.. Miller created a tremendous SEN
sation in the House when he told
number of his insurgent friends that
their recommendations for postmasters
would not be acted on BY Postmaster
General Hitchcock until President Taft
was satisfied that they would not oppose
his announced policies and would sup
port the organization Mr.. Miller de-
ciared that he had been so informed by
Postmaster General Hitchcock yester-
day The Minnesotan was Immediately
the centre of an anXious group of in
surgents and correspondents, and made
the following statement,
Il have been immensely concerned re-
Gently in regard to four postmasterships
in my district 1 recommended that the
appointments be made some weeks ago,
and although l wrote repeatedly to the
Postmaster General, I received no init
nation as to how he was going to dis
pose of my recommendations. l called
on him yesterday. and after some con-
versation he told me that great pressure
had been brought TO bear on him to
withhold the nominations because l am
all insurgent. l did not inquire the
source of the pressure, but came away
with the impression that it came either
from the Cannon Organization in the
House or from the President"
Wnen this statement had obtained
general circulation, boti4 regulars and
insurgents began to hold informal meet
ings and to inquire the meaning of it.
determinations were hurled right and
left, the regulars rejoicing at what they
considered the determined attitude of the
Speaker and the administration, and the
insurgents vowing that in the end such
a course would be great help to their
cause.
The insurgent leaders Immediately an
ncunced that the action of the Post
master General was "a fresh iniquity"
and that it struck direct blow at their
liberties The main body of the insur-
gents began to conjure up grievances.
1t was learned that number of post
masterships in insurgent districts were
still in the hands of the Postmaster
General.
Representative Norris, of Nebraska, is
one of those who believes that his rec
ommendation is pigeonholed because of
his belligerent attitude, and there are a
number of others who complained loudly
that they were being Disseminated
against Representative Hayes. chair
man of the insurgents. announced that
a meeting would be called within a day
or two for the purpose OF taking proper
action in the matter
mot l." SAYS CANNON.
Speaker Cannon declared that he knew
nothing of the reported pressure. In
this he was corroborated by Representa-
tive Dalzell, of Pennsylvania, and by
Representative John Dwight the Repub-
lican whip. who declared that he had
not seen either Mr.. Hitchcock or Mr..
Miller for some weeks. The regulars
were at first inclined to be incredulous,
but when it was learned that Mr.. Hitch
cock did not deny Mr.. Miller's story they
rejoiced openly and declared that If the
insurgents insisted fighting they
should not 'squeal' when the Organiza-
tion and the administration fought back.
-e---
CANNED PEACHES KILL SEVEN.
Los Angeles, Jan. 4.-Seven, persons are
dead and three others are in "A serious con