Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-01-06
PRESIDENTS LASH NOT
APPLIED TO ALL ALIKE
Taft Says the Withholding Of Patron
age Has Nothing 30 Do With the
Fight Against Speaker Cannon
Members Must be Reciprocal an
Favors. M
.cBy Associated Prcss.)

WASHlNGION, IL. u, Jdu. -
While no formal statement was forth
coming at the White House today.
there was no attempt in administra-
ton circles to deny that President
Taft IS Withholding certain customary
congre ssional patronage from those
"insurgent" senators and representa-
tives, who, the adherents of the Presi-
dent say, show no disposition to sup
port administration measures.
President Taft is reported as TAX
ing the attitude that If an obligation
rests upon him to give certain pat
ronage to a representative of his par
ty. there is a reciprocal obligation up
on the part of the representative 10
support the President.
Should Punish Leaders.
A number of the so-called "insur-
gents" were out in interviews today
saying that they heartily agreed with
the Presidents Legislative program
and asserting that instead OF using
the whip" on them, the President
should use il on those leaders ukos
| in the past, had opposed the Roose-
welt policies which Mr.. Taft is seek
ing to enact into law
On the part of the President it was
said today that the withholding OF
patronage does not apply to all OF the
, insurgents" and has absolutely moth
| ing to do with their fight against
s.eaker Cannon or the house rules.
Victor Rosewater. Republican ma
tional committeeman from Nebraska,
one of the insurgent states. saw Pres
ident Taft this afternoon and in an
authorized interview said:
Should be Reciprocal.
The President eaid TO me that he
wanted me TO help correct the re-
ports that are icing circulated to the
effect that he is using the patronage
club to whip so-called insurgents"
into line. The President says that
there is a well-founded custom that
has become almost rule that in max
ing certain appointments. such as
pcstmasters. the President should act
on recommendations of members or
congress in whose districts the APP
pointms nts lie, If represented by a
member OF the same political party.
This obligation resting on the Presi-
dent. however. is reciprocal. he feels.
The Republican congressman he de-
classes. are under a similar obligation
to support administration measures
recommended by the President to car
~ out platform pledges on which both
were elected
The President says he has not
turned down commentators of ~iD-
sargent" congressman. but Is simply
preserving the statu quo 10 imprcfs
them of their obligation
penource Such Policy.
! With amazement. In some cases
bordering on anger. the -fnsurgent"
r publican members OF the house to-
: day read the published reports that
they were to be singled out BY the
administration for punishment: for
their ~rebclnous conduct" as mem
bers of the majority party OF tie
house.
Several of them were upsparing m
their denunciatson OF policy which
sought to punish a man for freedom
and independence Of thoaght and ac-
ton. as they expressed t. Not few
were 10th to believe thst President
Taft would lend his aid &c an efIort
to administer castigation to them fcT
supporting the very principles ard
policies for which they claimed the
party itself stood pledged.
Says it's sisnoerogs.
Representative Madison. Of Kansas.
EXPIRE ssed = view Of toe matter TO
which several OF his associate su6-
scFibed. He said IN part:
we insurgeEts. a. We are called.
are not against TAFT and his pcficies-
We are unanimously. believe m
+ fsvoT Of every leadine reform % Which
the President and the Republican par
~ T. committed.
II - siandcroas to say That Ec
can Be svcrr,-G f1om the course %
srpporiiae the rcforass BY The viii
holding Of @sy q that patronage b.
| anybOdg o. be inducrd to support Ibis