The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-02-23
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY as, 1904.
HOW NOT TO LEAD.

During the opening days of the present session of Congress a New York journal poIled the Democratic members of the House as to their preferences among the Presidential candidates. No candidate had a majority. but one might have been pronounced favorite That was Senator German. He was then in the flush of his victory in Maryland and he had been very recently placed at the head of the
 minority in the Senate. This is a great post in the responsibilities it carries and the opportunities it offers to resourceful statesman. The leadership of Senator Jones of Arkansas tended to obscure this xset If we remember alright 1t was ons of the IaughabIe sights of the Senate to see him as he announced in stentorian tones the view of the minority on some pending question and then to see one Democrat after another rise in his plac and dlsclaim emphatically that he agreed with his leader. It was of the essence of the comic to watch the leader as he grad ually climbed down, contending he spoke for number of the minority. then for a few and at last that it was his individual opinion. The Senate or one party in the Senate is not easy to lead. Senator Jones eventually found this out. Senator Cor man has been compelled to learn the same lesson early. He had for him a most diff. ficult role He desired presidential nom- ination. He had only a few months in which to prove himself and go to the country with a reputation increased by activity in the Senate. The situation was his undoing. He must lead and must at the same time take care of himself as a candidate. The temptation was irresisti- bic to fly at the first issue that offered itself. This chanced to be the treaty with Panama. He committed himself definite ly against it and proceeded to line up his following. There was murmuring and fyetting. The caucus he had called adopts cd milk and water resolution binding the participants to vote against the treaty unless they should have conscientious scruples against doing so or were in- structed to the contrary by the Legisla- ture of their State. This meant the rati. iication of the treaty, for it showed that the number of Senators in the caucus de- termined to retain a free hand, was sui. dcient to put 1t through.
 Mr. German went into temporary re- tirement When he emerged he had be- thought him of another issue. He has called on his scattered following to unite in opposing the upbuilding of the navy He thinks the money spent on battleships is squandered to a degree and that a big navy means we are to be embroiled with other nations. This is worse than his at- tack on the Panama treaty. It is prepos- ferrous to believe there is a national issue in the perils of big navy. The average citizen wants the United States prepared for all emergencies and there are no ter TOTS to him in thinking of the flag float ing over a great fleet of battleships and cruisers.
 Mr German is showing how not to lead. He is an objector and nothing else. He won his reputation not in drafting bills, but in grating them. He could mutilate protecting special interests. In short he could manoeuvre in the dark He must now strive in full daylight He must show he comprehends the great doctrines Of his party and believes in them. He has made no appeal to these whatever. That he is failing we regard as a matter for congratulation. It proves after a fashion that a real leader with intelll- gence. experience. courage. foresight and wisdom will ind his material ready at hand in the Democracy of today,