The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1909-12-10
INSURGENCY
is RAMP ANT
leaders In Congress Must Lay
PIarS Very Carefully
REPUBLICANS DEMORALIzED

Old AIdrich- Cannon Organization
Still In Control, but Beset With
TroubIes-Minority Without a Lead
er In the Senate-Speaker Expects
Trouble In House, but Not Serious
Enouqh to Cause Him to Resign
Washington, Dec. 7.-Congress has
come in in a lackadaisical mood, in a
condition of mild disorganization.
Party lines never rested so loosely,
and the country will strain its eyes to
discover the line of demarcation be-
tween Republican and Democrat. The
parties are divided also among them
selves; perhaps not enough for legis-
iative purposes, although the house Is
rampant with insurgency, but enough
to make the leaders plan carefully be-
fore deciding to take up any SPECIFIC
line of legislation.
The senate Democrats are without
a leader. Senator Culberson of Texas
has resigned the leadership of the
minority and Senator Bailey is unable
to be present.
The task of selecting a leader is a
delicate one for the minority. Culber-
son disliked the duties of leadership
and lays them down gladly. Bailey is
his natural successor, and was in
practical charge of the floor during the
tariff session, but the Democrats VIII
hardly dare elect him, in view of the
larger Importance of the selection to
the party throughout the country.
Senator Money could easily be chosen,
but his health will not permit him to
serve.
In the house the situation that con-
fronts the minority is not great i'm
provement over that in the senate.
Champ Clark of Missouri, the desig-
mated minority leader, is talking big
about what he proposes to do, but he
realizes, as do all his lieutenants,
that as the situation exists at this time
It is not possible for him to command
the united support of his party in the
house. A score or more of the Demo-
cratic members refuse to recognize
Clark as their BOSS" on any real test
they will follow the leadership of the
Cannon organization in preference to
that of Clark.
The session opens with the Republi-
cans somewhat demoraliZed. The old
Aldrich- Cannon organization is still
In control in both senate and house,
but It is beset with troubles on every
hand. There is talk about the sem
ate that the number of insurgent Re-
publican senators may be increased
from seven to twelve or fourteen be-
fore this session is far advanced.
Certain senators who travelled along
with the Aldrich organization during
the consideration of the tariff bill ap-
pear to have come to the conclusion
that if they are to stay in public life
they must part company with the old
organization. Time only can show
change of mind since the special tar
If session came to an end.
In the house Speaker Cannon con-
fides to his close friends that he ex-
poets trouble throughout the session.
He does not intend to resign; he con-
fidently believes he will be able to
more than hold his own with the in
surgents, but he will not be surprised
If the insurgents are strong enough
seriously to embarrass the work of the
session. Insurgents have abandoned
all hope of persuading Cannon to re-
sign the speakership and will devote
their energies largely to an effort to
obtain further changes in the rules.
Whether they can attain any success
In this movement will depend upon the
attitude Of the Democrats.
Public men, in commenting privately
on the general disorganized condition
of the parties in the legislative bod
les, are saying that the conditions
here simply reflect political conditions
throughout the country. AS they
view the situation each of the old
parties has reached a critical stage
of its career. They will not be sur
prised if a realignment of parties fol-
lows this session of congress. At any
rate, they say, the situation as a
whole was never more interesting.