The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1911-07-14


curious contrasts.
One Ohio Republican state conven-
ton endorsed in strong words the ad-
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 n 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 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 e%spousing 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
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 1t appeared
practically certain hat the people Of
the state who held no corporation af-
filiations were like the same classes
Of people in other states-determined
advocates of railroad regulating meas
Other senators who were as bitter
ly opposed personally to the legisla-
tion 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. MI. Foraker's attitude had in II
more than a suspicion Of defiance.
He was in the thick of the ighi
from the day that the Hepburn bill
reached the floor of the senate unit
the hour when it was put upon I'll
passage. His long speech in opposi
ton to the measure was one OF tn
greatest speeches which he had eve
delivered. 1t was eloquent. 1t wa
based upon premises which by tn
speakers art was made to appea
sound, and the listening laymen nigh
well have been almost persuaded
that all the right and the reason an
the logic we're with the cause OF tn
senator from Ohio.
1t was a long speech which MI
Foraker made. but its interest mad
the time speed on its way. He wa
not content with the one u~tteranc'
At different times during the debat
he rose to combat the statements
some of his colleagues. n at ever
such time he spoke vehemently an
well.
President Roosevelt during tn
months of agitation over railroad raj
matters said some things which mad
II appear strongly that he felt thu
men who opposed legislation whic
he favored were not likely to hay
the countenance Of their constituent
He lived to see a convention OF h
party declare practically that he W;
right. and the men who we're diane
really opposed to him also were rlgt
The Republican party in Ohio su
ceeded in framing resolutions tn
read much like a bit Of the rarer b
NOR of Mark Twain.
Senator Foraker in addition to b
ing opposed bitterly to railroad ra
legislation, was the chief stumblil
block in the senate to the securing
such action on statehood question
as the president wished to ha'
taken. Mr.. Foraker did not wish
zee Arizona and New Mexico unite
and he did not hesitate any longer
take issue with the president on Il
matter than he hesitated to take
u with his own rate Legislation.
Certain great corporations we
greatly interested in the question