Mountain Home maverick. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1906-1911, 1911-07-20

N. ticularly perhaps state
- ~ political party conven-
tions, present pictures Of
curious contrasts.
One Ohio Republican state conven-
kion 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 we're
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-
lions of the convention were insn-
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 neryously energetic
and as watchful as a 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 the measure. He knew
that he was espousing a 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
moro 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 1t 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 1t appeared
practically certain that the people of
the state who held no corporation ar
citations were like the same classes
of people in other states-determined
advocates Of railroad regulating meas
mres.
other senators who were as bitter
ay 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
the Allegheny mountains telling him
that he was taking the unpopular
side. Mr.. Foraker's attitude had in It
more than a suspicion of defiance.
He was in the thick Of the fight
from the day that the Hepburn bin
reached the floor of the senate until
the hour when it was put upon its
passage His long speech in opposl.
ton to the measure was one Of the
greatest speeches which he had ever
delivered It was eloquent. II was
based upon premises which by the
speakers art was made to appear
sound. and the listening laymen might
well have been almost persuaded
that all the right and the reason and
the logic we're with the cause Of the
senator from Ohio.
1t was a long speech which Mr.
Foraker made. but its interest made
the time speed on its way. He wal
not content with the one utterance
At different times during the debate
he rose to combat the statements o
some Of his colleagues. and at ever,
such time he spoke vehemently an,
well
President Roosevelt during th'
months OF agitation over railroad rat
matters said some things which mad
Il appear strongly that he felt tina
men who opposed legislation whic
he favored were not likely to hav
the countenance of their constituents
He lived to see convention OF hi
party declare practically that he wa
right. and the men who we're diame
rically opposed TO him also were rlgn
The Republican party IN Ohio SUI
eeeded in framing resolutions tha
read much like a bit Of the rarer HI
NOR Of Mark Twain.
Senator Foraker in addition to b.
ing opposed bitterly to railroad rat
legislation, was the chief stumblin
block in the senate to the securing {
such action on statehood question
as the president wished to hay
taken Mr. Foraker did not wish
zee Arizona and New Mexico unite'
and be did not hesitate any longer
take issue with the president on u
matter than he hesitated to take
sue with his own rate legislation.
Certain great corporations wei
azaatlk. nt.esEested y. II I. lie question