The Savannah morning news., 1903-03-08
BY R. NJ. Larner.

Washington. March 7.--Senator Cor
mans return to the Senate. and his
restoration to the position of chair
man of the Democratic Caucus Com
mittee. by unanimous consent, is gen.
orally accepted as a wise political
move. The enthusiasm which accom-
panied his return to party leadership
in the Senate was shared by the Demo-
Gratis in the House, many of whom
were present to participate in the ova-
ton given the sterling Democratic
leader from Maryland. His presence
seems to inspire the Democrats in Con-
gress with renewed party zeal and
willingness to unite in an effort to
build up a compact and thoroughly
disciplined organization to combat the
Republican forces in the coming Con-
gress.
The Democratic leaders realize that
they have good fighting chance to
carry the next national election If they
can take a practical advantage of the
opportunities open to them, by reason
of the internal dissensions in the Re-
publican ranks. The secret hostility
TO President Roosevelt on the part of
the recognized bosses of the Republic
can party, and the division of senti-
ment between the Eastern and West
ern Republicans on the tariff question
all combine to brighten the prospects
of Democratic success.
The Democratic programme will be
to throw aside some of the overworked
sentiment and obsolete convictions Of
certain members of the party and build
up a political organization along the
lines of their successful opponents,
which will appeal to conservative bust
ness interests and at the same time
respect Democratic principles.
The conviction that the Democratic
flibuster in the House during the clos
ing days of the last session will inspire
a greater party spirit in the members
of the minority, is regarded by those
who have the interests of the party at
heart, as a most hopeful sign. Condl-
lions which have prevailed during the
past few years have conSplred to make
party unity and party aggressiveness
almost an unknown quantity. Appar-
entity nobody is to blame for this. The
individual Democrats have endeavored
to cure the evil-from party stand
point it is an evil-but their efforts
have proved unavailing.
When Mr. Bailey of Texas was Sc
lected as the leader of the minority, the
jealousies of some of the older men de-
veloped a split in party ranks, which
il has taken q long time to heal. Mr..
Bailey, a man of magnificent ability,
was aggressive and far-seeing. Had he
been given a support which he should
have had on account of his position,
the Democratic minority would have
been as it was in the days of Crisp S
leadership, a fighting factor, with
which the Republicans would have had
10 reckon. In the zeal and ardor of
his, leadership the Texan grew impa-
tent toward the men who seemed to
be willing to sacrifice party unity, il
they could but embarrass him. While
, he possesses other kinds of ability in a
high degree, he does not possess that
spirit of federation which Judge Crisp
had. by means of which leader coufl
draw together discordant elements. MIR.
Bailey has formed contempt for eager
ness, such as is found in some men who
get into public life, and even attained
prominence there. He not only has
this contempt. but he cannot help show
1t. and the result of this combination of
conditions was that when he laid down
the leadership the old animosities had
been aggravated, rather than wiped
away.
Mr.. Bailey could have BEEN u,.osen
again for the leadership. but he did not
care TO occupy that position unless he
was assured that his every act would
De accepted unquestioned by the other
Democrats. This was impossible.
Maj. Richardson would not hear 10
this sort OF division Of the minority.
some or Mr., Bailey's friends believed
that he should be recisoned with az an
enemy OF the former leader. They
nave for divers reasons arrayed
themselves % spirit OF opposition 70
Fne FAaeF' Aat. Richardson. h a nne