The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-05-05
LACKING
IN EITHER HOUSE
Republicans Cannot Rely OF
Enough Members to Pass
Any Measure.
RENT BY DISPUTES
Efforts Will Be Made to Get
Quarrcling Factions
Together.

Washington, May 4-"There is not
a Republican majority in either the
House or the Senate"
This was the statement, uttered In
n tone of bitterness. by Republican
Senator and member of the Finance
Committee to-day In answer to the
query of House leader as to con
ditions on the Senate side.
He meant, of course, that there Is
not cohesive WORKING majority. an
swerablc to party policy, upon which
the party leaders, national and con-
gressional, can safely count.
Such situation has not found its
parallel in Congress in twenty years
it is said by the old timers. That
these aforesaid ancients view with
alarm" the trend of affairs goes with
out saying.
The prospect for constructive Repub-
lican legislation they consider to be
nil. What legislation of Importance
there may be will be the legislation
of factionalism and individualisn, they
declare, not of party.
Nevertheless, they go on to say. the
Republican party will be hold rcspon-
sible by tho country for II, and there
is the rub. The Insurgents and the
Democrats will patch up legislation
as best they may. and 1t will go to the
country with the &c. o. p" brand
on 1t.
Prospect Not Pleasing.
The prospect does not please the
Republican political managers. Frank
Hitchcock, the Silent power" of the
Republican National Committee. not
wfthstanding he is not the titular head
tol yesterday with brow OF trouble
fr n nH
nice.
Senator Murray Crane is worried
and panied. Senator Lodge looks In
redulous-"surely 1t can't be so?" is
the expression he wears. So it goes
down tho limo of the Republican big
guns until the panic reaches the small
fry, who just run around In circle.
Nice-President Sherman, who while
holding what might be called an emeri-
tus position in Legislative affairs. is !
mighty militant figure in the politics
of his part, l. distressed but aggres-
sive. He is IN for fight, and is far
from discouraged at the outlook.
Speaker Cannon is of like kidney.
and the same may be said of Chairman
| Mckinley. Of the Republican congress
sional campaign committee, and Secro-
| tary Loudenslager. of that organiza-
| ton.
All Of these old war horses of the
publican party are ready to so into
| battle for the party's policies and
! thereafter for the election OF Re-
publican House IN the next Congr ess.
| if they can get any kind OF cohesion in
Republican forces.
Party Cohesion Desired.
The Republican party in the Senate
and House could be likened to ball
of quicksilver dropped into a plate and
the particles scattered. To draw them
together again is the problem.
The crisis that some of the legislative
managers fear as q possibility is that
the railroad rate bill. the postal savings
bank BILL the statehood bill and most
of the conservation measures may have
to go over until the next session un-
less there is distinct and speedy I'M
proyement in the political situation In
Congress.
OF course every possible effort Will
be made to prevent such a disaster. Tor
1T would be considered a disaster from
the Republican political viewpoint, and
to that end Republicans are being APP
pealed to by the prominent men in the
party TO drop factionalism and endeaV-
or to get together on definite policy
that will be approved by the country.
When President Taft comes back to
the city he will be appraised OF the
Enthusiastically gather the politicians
and statesmen about him ana Try to
bring order out Of the prevailing chaos