The Washington herald., 1911-03-05

friends in Texas and some from other
States, I have concluded to withdraw
my resignation. i am willing to work
to the limit of my strength so long as /
can serve the public and at the same
time obey what l understand to be the
commandment of Democratic principles
with policy which / am certain would
in the end destroy the government es-
tablished by our fathers.
-. W. BAILEY"
Colleagues Make Appeal.
The governor of Texas declined to ac-
cept Senator Bailey's resignation, after
he had received the following telegram
signed by eleven Democrats of the Sen
ate: e.
I'VE Democratic Senator's, speaking for
ourselves and for other Democratic Sena-
tors, regard the proposed resignation of
Senator Bailey as a national calamity,
and We urge upon the people of Texas
to demand that he withdraw the same,
and that he continue to serve in the
Senate in which he is the undisputed
and most conspicuous leader"
This telegram was signed by Senators
Bacon. Foster. Overman, Taliaferro,
Paynter. Bankhead, Percy, Johnson,
Taylor, Watson, and Fletcher. There are
twelve Democratic Senators, who voted
in favor of the Arizona constitution,
whose names do not appear on this tele-
gram. The resignation of Senator Bailey
came with startling suddenness, follow
ing the filibuster in the Senate conduced
by Senator owen, of Oklahoma.
The Oklahoman, by holding up the
supply bills, force dthe Senate to tack to
the resolution providing for the accept
ance of the New Mexico constitution one
of similar purport in regard to the Ari-
zona constitution. He forced vote
upon both the resolution and the amend
ment at the same time, and they were
defeated by vote of 45 to 80.
Senator Bailey's brow began to cloud
when one Democrat after another voted
in favor of the Arizona proposition. The
roll call was hardly over when he seized
a piece of paper, dashed off his resigna-
tion, and, calling Il page, sent it to the
Vice Presidents desk. At the same time
he dispatched a telegram of similar pur-
port to the governor of Texas.
TiIlman Deplores Action.
AS soon as the session was at an end,
Senator Bailey was surrounded by his
many colleagues, who accompanied him
to his office in the Senate Office Building,
urging him to reconsider. The delegation
in Senator Baileys office was increased
soon by many Democratic members from
the House, who Joined in the general de-
mand. 1t was then that many of the
Democratic members explained that they
did not believe in the doctrines expressed
in the Arizona constitution, but were
merely recording their votes for States
rights.
SenatorTillm an was one of the Demo-
cratic Senators who voted for the Arizona
constitution. He issued this statement:
The action of Bailey in sending in his
resignation was precipitate and unwise,
l think. 1t was the result Of passion
which he will regret as soon as he cools
or. He is tho ablest man in the Senate
without exception, and ono of the best
equipped men in public life. have
known for years that there was a Coterie
in the Senate who were envious of his
great ability and who were plotting to
prevent his assuming leadership. lie has
PLAYED into their hands by this action.
hope the people of Texas will insist
on sending Bailey back to the Senate In
his own stead by such vote that he Will
feel it TO be a command to serve them.
The country as a whole needs him, and
the Senate needs him now more than
ever.
Senator Bacon made a statement of
similar character.
Many believe that Mr.. Bailey's resig-
nation was prompted as much by pique
as anything else. The reins of leadership
on the Democratic side of the Senate have
been slipping away from him recently.
and the control seems to be centered
chiefly in Senator Stone, of Missouri,
and his friends. They have disagreed
with Senator Bailey on many PROPOSE
tions, notably tariff revision and Cana
dian reciprocity. They also refused TO
follow his lead in the Lorimer case. AL
together, developments recently have
made it somewhat unpleasant for the
Texas Senator among his own colleagues
on the Democratic side of the chamber.
Senator Bailey's term will not expire
until March, 1913 He is regarded as one
of the ablest Democrats who has served
in the Senate in many years.
Withdrawal Not Received.