The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-07-29

Four Republicans among 1O1 Representa-
tives from the States OF the South; and three of
the four from the mountain districts Of Ken
lucky and Tennessee. the other lone. lorn, and
lonesome Republican being confronted by a
contest for his seatl
Never before since the close OF the war have
the Republicans made SO poor showing in
the South. They are not much better of in
the new Northwestern States. Colorado has 9
Populists, Kansas 3. Nevada l. and Nebraska 2.
They will cut poor figure in any fight 1t ia
o scanty representation for a party which
polled one million votes for It's Presidential
candidate last November. The Populists in
the Fifty-second Congress were stronger. They
had the assistance. when needed OF several
Farmers Alliance Democrats from the South.
So far Us Important legislation at the special
session Is concerned. the Senate holds the key
to the situation. Tho Senate is closer, politi-
cally. than the House. 1t is a smaller body
The term Of members is longer. and they are
more independent Their power OF conflrma-
ton over Presidential nominations permits
them to demand favors which Representa-
tives are often glad to beseech. The
Republican representation is 80 large
In the Senate. and so small relatively,
In the House-flve Democratic Senators can do
more In the former than fifty Democratic
Congressman In the latter-that In the event
OF a serious contest Federal patronage would
largely govern the action OF tho House and
the prefer Of 1t but slightly affect the action
OF the Senate.
On account Of their small representation
from the big business centres. the Reput icans
are In poor position to take very active part
in the coinage controversy Their small repre-
sentation from manufacturing towns. too. will
smbarrass their resistance to any tariff
changes. They represent. indeed, tho farm
Ing element chiefly. In a Congress- which
will have at its special session few
questions OF an agricultural character
to solve or consider. They have little cohs-
sion. and IL is extremely doubtful II the de.
cision OF their caucus OH the coinage question
would BIO considered binding on much moro
than majority OF the members
Probably on one question the Republicans
in the new House will be found solid as a rock.
That is tho question Of pensions. Tho Repub-
lican members come almost exclusively from
Northern States which furnished a large
quota Of men In the war. They coma
chiefly from the farming districts. whittier
most OF tho pensions 60. There are.
practically. no Southern Republican Con-
gressmen. and the Populst detection has car
risd or the Republicans In tho Northwestern
States admitted since the war. There remain
the Republican Representatives OF the East
ern and Central States. which went wild over
Fremont and furnished the votes which elected
Lincoln. These Representatives. to whose con-
stituents tho civil war is an inspirlting and
evergreen memory, could be easily united In
Resistance to any proposed cutting down of
the pension appropriations. or any stoppage of
the abuses connected with the granting Of
them. Tho conditions do not appear to be ia
vorablsto their harmonious action on other