New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-01-27
THE KANSAS SENATORSHIP.

The Democrats have swallowed the POpu-
| lists in Kansas, securing whatever title to the
Senatolshp the fraudulent House and the State
| officials can give for Mr.. Martin, long a Dem
ocratic leader and chairman of the Democratic
State Committee In speech before the
| caucus of Populists he avowed his intention to
act with them on most public questions, though
| he did not favor the Sub-Treasury scheme, but
declared that he would go into Democratic
| caucus as to organization of the Senate. The
Populists found that their illegal and revolu-
| tionary organization had no chance of success
unless they could get Democratic help. For
the sake of gaining Senator some Democrats
Joined the very organization which they had
pronounced illegal and revolutionary.
The Republicans have the only legal organ
ization of the House, but with the Republican
Senators do not number quite quorum in joint
convention without the participation OF some
Democrats. 1t is therefore proposed by some
that they should now offer an election to some
straightout Democrat, so that he may contest
the seat claimed by Mr.. Martin. II does, not
appear that such selection of Democrats to i'm
portant offices by Republican votes usually re-
suits in any gain. Mr.. Blodgett, of New Jersey,
mas 1lOU Dct1l tic ltSS cIllCtut dS NOttI VII
Democratic side, whenever his vote was need
ed, than if he had not been chosen by Repub-
lican assistance. But in Kansas the tail wags
the dog at present. Three or four Democrats
dictated to more than seventy POpulists, and
now it is proposed that three four Demo
Gratis shall also select candidate to be elected
by more than seventy Republicans.
1t is claimed by Democratic Senators that
the admission of Mr.. Martin from Kansas will
secure to the Democrats the power to organize
the Senate if they gain nc additional seat in
Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota or Ne
braska Senator Kyle is counted upon as GER
tain to act with them in organization, and the
casting vote of the Vice-President would then
give them majority. Bat such a majority,
depending upon the support of two Senators
elected as Populists and mainly by the votes
of PopulstS, would not be particularly trust
worthy for any purpose. Indeed, the Obliga
tons of the Democratic party TO these two
associates of the Populst persuasion might soon
come to be unendurably heavy. 1t would be
as well for the country if the Democratic party
should secure and hold full responsibility by
itself for tho control of legislation in the Sen
ate as we'll as in the House. Clearly distinct
Democratic majority would be better than a
balance of power in the hands Of two or three
Populist Senators.
1t is not clear at this distance whether the
Republicans in some of the Western States have
made the best use of their opportunities since
the various Legislatures organized. Had they
been free from personal disagreemcnts among
themselves possibly larger measure of success
might have been realized. But the root of the
difficulty lies further back; they have failed in
times past to meet with sufficient energy and
uncompromising vigor the notions which have
led multitudes of voters into the POpulist move
ment. In all probability, the control of the
United States Senate by combination of
Democrats and Populists will turn out to be Of
advantage to the Republican party in the end,
since it will lead to a more complete disclosure
of the aims and legislative purposes upon which
the otherwise incongruous majority in the
Senate can agree.