The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1911-09-12

A% ticularly perhaps state
~ political party conven-
lions. present pictures OF
surious contrasts.
One Ohio Republican state conven-
lion endorsed in strong words the adj
ministration and deeds Of Theodore
Roosevelt, who then was president.
In the same platform which gave the
president his endorsement there were
words OF the strongest commentator
for Senator Joseph Benson Foraker
and his work in the senate OF the
United States.
The platform therefore expressed
appreciation of the legislative efforts
Of two men. calmly ignoring the fact
that one Of them was seeking to pre-
vent the doing of that which the 9th
er wanted to have done. The resolu-
tons OF the convention were insin-
cere either In one case or the other
and the historian must take his
choice.
Senator Foraker was one OF the
strongly picturesque men In the sen
ate OF the United States. He was
strong in speech and in political and
parliamentary methods. and he was
picturesque In manner and appear
ance. He was nervously energetic
and as watchful as lynx. He was
the head and front of the Republican
opposition In the senate to the rail-
road legislation which had the in
dorsement of President Roosevelt
Senator Foraker, in fact. was the tire
less enemy of tie measure. He knew
that he was espousing q losing cause,
but II there had been hope that the
measure might be defeated he could
not have been more constant in his
attendance at the sessions when the
bill was under consideration. nor
more alert at every instant of time
to raise some point tending to
strengthen his own line of belief and
| Of argument.
To one who lacked all knowledge of
the ways Of Ohio politics it would
have appeared that Senator Foraker
was facing the certain condemnation
Of his constituents by his course of
antagonism to his party and to the
president. From the words that came
to Washington from Ohio it appeared
practically certain that the people of
the state who held no corporation az
f1liations were like the same classes
OF people In other states-determined
advocates of railroad regulating meas
ures.
Other senators who were as bitter
~ opposed personally to the legisla-
ton as was Senator Foraker paid
heed to the feeling at home and voted
for the bill. The Ohio senator seem
ed to gain strength in opposition
from every message that came over
tho Allegheny mountains telling him
that he was taking the unpopular
side. Mr. Foraker's attitude had in 1t
more than suspicion of defiance.
He was In the thick of the fight
from the day that the Hepburn bill
reached the floor Of the senate until
the hour when 1t was put upon its
passage. His long speech in opposi
ton to the measure was one OF the
| greatest speeches which he had ever
delivered. 1t was eloquent. 1t was
based upon premises which by the
speakers art was made to appear
sound. and the listening laymen might
we'll have been almost persuaded
that all the right and the reason and
the logic were with the cause OF the
senator from Ohio
1t was long speech which Mr.
Foraker made. but its interest made
the time speed on its way He was
not content with the one utterance
At different times during the debate
he rose to combat the statements Of
some Of his colleagues, and at every
such time he spoke vehemently anS
we'll.
President Roosevelt during the
months of agitation over railroad rate
matters said some things which made
1t appear strongly that he felt thai
men who opposed legislation which
he favored were not likely to have
the countenance Of their constituents
He lived to see a convention of hi
party declare practically that he wal
right and the men who were diamet
rically opposed to him also were right
The Republican party in Ohio sue
ceeded in framing resolutions tha
read much like a bit Of the rarer hu
NOR of Mark Twain
Senator Foraker In addition to be
Ing opposed bitterly to railroad rat,
legislation. was the chief stumblint
block in the senate to the securing O
such action on statehood question,
- the president wished to hav,
taken. Mr.. Foraker did not wish I,
~ Arizona and New Mexico united
ana he did not hesitate any longer I,
take issue with the president ON tn,
matter than he hesitated to take ia
sue with his own rate legislation.
Certain great corporations wer,
greatly interested In the question o