The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1913-09-04
BY ARTHUR w. DUNN.

Panama Canal.
BY ARTHUR w. DUNN.
Washington, Sept. l. Especial -
Rather 4 curious story of the defeat of
the negro for federal appointment
recently came to light in a discussion
Of political conditions in the senate. It
was positively asserted that the defeat
Of the colored man was due to opposi
ton on the part Of stand pat Repub
leans regulars. who were sore be-
cause the negro voters in large num-
bers went over to Roosevelt in the last
campaign.
If it is true that these votes went to
Roosevelt still further curious po-
litical condition is developed. It was
Roosevelt who denounced the machine
control by negroes in the southern
states, who proposed to organize
white Republican party in those states.
The one reason always given why
the Republicans could not cut down
southern representation in national
conventions was because there would
be loss of negro votes in northern
states. It is rather surprising, there
fore, to hear that the colored voters
went over to Roosevelt last year.
Still Factor.
At all events, the negro seems to be
considered an important factor in poll
ties. Without the support Of the Re
puDlicans the opponents Of the negro
could not have prevented his confrma-
tion,' said Democratic senator. "All
the Democratic senators from states
like Maryland, West Virginia, New Jer-
sey, New York, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois,
Kansas and Nebraska would have been
compelled to support the nomination
on account Of the negro votes in those
states. It was because the regular Re
publicans came to the support of the
southerners that caused the with
drawal of the nomination."
Free Sugar and Wool Sure.
After the first test vote on sugar in
the senate there was careful figuring
as to what might have happened if all
the republicans had voted and were
paired and had Senator Newlands
voted with the Republicans for duty
on sugar, as he is inclined to do. There
would have been a majority Of one for
the sugar duty owing to the vacancy
from Alabama.
But, even so, neither the house nor
the president would accept the bill
without free wool and free sugar, and
in the final windup the slim majority
by which duty might be placed on
these articles would be Of no avail
"Father Of the Canal"
"Pete Hepburn is the father Of the
canal,' remarked Minority Leader
Mann, speaking Of the big ditch. Mann
did not go into particulars, but they are
something like this: Hepburn fought
through the house, with but one dis
senting vote. bill for canal at Mica
raugua. That bill came back from the
senate, after long, hard struggle.
changed to a Panama canal bill By
a bare majority Of three votes the
change had been made. Hepburn
moved to concur In the senate bill.
which, according to many people, pre-
vented the deadlock which those who
had forced the Panama route hoped to
obtain.
Page Confesses.
President Wilson charged that there
was an 'insidious lobby at work
against free sugar, Senator Page Of
Vermont "fessed up" when the para
graph relating to maple sugar was
reached in the tariff bill II have been
very insidious lobbyist in behalf Of
maple sugar for five years." said the
Vermonter Quite true, and he went
SO far as to send boxes Of maple sugar
cakes to senators and other friends
about the capitol. Many people en-
joyed taste of Pages maple sugar
Jim Mann on Her Deck.
Secretary Daniels has determined to
send the old Oregon through the canal
as the first battleship, thus keeping up
that sentimental tradition about the
voyage Of the Oregon around South
America in order to take part il the
Spanish WAL I'LL AullI. WHO mas udu
so much to do with canal legislation.
is to be upon her deck If time and
the navy department will permit.
And, while it is all right sentimental
ly. the voyage Of the Oregon was use.
less unnecessary and blot upon the
good sense Of those who were respon-
sible for the trip. The Oregon was not
needed on the Atlantic coast and might
have been needed on the Pacific coast
Where Courtesy Ceases.
The Republicans can make no ar
rangement for pairing Senator Bur
leigh Of Maine. who is too I'll to attend
the sessions Of the senate. The Demo
Gratis need all the votes they can get,
and as they have lost one by death
they are making no arrangements to
pair sick man on the other side. In
a close fight like this they have on
hand senatorial courtesy ceases If
Burleigh had been long enough In the
sonafo RI have arranpod