Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1910-03-22
MEANS 4 DEMOCRATIC VICTORY
WHAT THEN!

"Insurgents" have succeeded in IN
horsing Speaker Joe Cannon, to the
extent Of taking away from him the
committee on rules, and depriying him
Of the power Of directing legislation,
the natural query is, What next?'
Different views appear to be taken
Of the situation at Washington. Some
predict a continued battle between the
allied forces and the regular RepubIi-
can organization. On the other hand
there are many Of the latter who pro-
TESS to believe that the Insurgents, ,"
having gained their point and trim
med tie speaker of much Of his arbi-
trary powers, VII now be satisfied 10
come back into the fold again and be
good boys. Perhaps this would have
been the case but for the vitrioIfc at
tack OF Speaker Cannon upon the rev.
dictionary element in his party. His
angering Of them at this point looks
like a premeditated act on his part to
/ drive them TO further extremes, f
possible. Uncle Joe" may have been
more sorely wounded than appears on
TIE surface Of his beaming counten-
ance. If ne could taunt the "Insurg-
ents" into such steps as would effec-
tuaDy put them outside Of the party
pale he would doubtless be an exceD-
riOnally happy individual
Out Of the break in the Republican
ranks, and the increasing dissatisfac-
ton throughout the country, comes
Democratic opportunity. Republicans
/ generally seem to either admit or
fear that they are going against
severe defeat at the polls the coming
November. The Democrats are conf
dent that they win have control Of the
new House. Clark and the other lead
ers are buoyant in their hopefulness.
But if this proves a correct prognosti-
cation, what then?
a Republican Senate will never toll
crate any Democratic legislation
| President Taft is sufficiently par
tisan to seek to thwart any efforts to
give the Democracy a standing before
the country sufficient to ensure it
favorable fighting chance in tae next
presidential election. Dafea: in No
yember viii simply have the effect of
driving the Republicans together again
| in compact, actively working, admir-
ably organized mass for the 1912 cleo
ton. Democracy, unless it behaves
far differently from what il has done
in late years, installed in power in
the House will separate into contend
ing elements. Perhaps the chastise-
ments of the past twelve years may
have restraining influence upon it,
but the natural tendency of the party
is to encourage individualism, and that
means defective congressional or
ganization.
The Washington Post sees that Dem
ocratic success this fall means Demo-
cratic weakness two years thereafter.
Uncle Joe" and the other Republican
leaders may not be so very adverse to
surrendering the House after all. 1t
would doubtless be a barren victory
for the Democrats, so far as actual re-
suits are concerned. AS the Post
says:
If the Democrats are wise, they will
permit the Republicans to win and
keep the next House of Representa-
tives. The Republicans would not be
heartbroken if they had to surrender
the House, and there are some polft-
zeal observers who think the Republi-
cans are actually anxious to palm off
the House upon the Democrats, in
order to stave off factiopaI fights
among themselves. The leader of the
Republican party has limited once or
twice that the House might go Demo-
cratic. The thought may be father Of
the wish.
Let the Democrats beware of such a
wooden horse. 1t is filled with trouble
and strife. Quarrels would break out
among them if they should control the
House, and the quarrels would be over
empty prizes. What could the Demo-
Gratis do if they should capture the
House? They could not enact any
laws They could not enforce any
policies. They could embarrass the
opposition, but in the end they would
be compelled to vote for appropria
tions to carry on Republican admins
tration They would be thwarted in
any effort to initiate reforms. The
phantom honors of the House might
start all kinds of intestinal struggles
among the Democrats. The. losers
would be sore, and the winners would
discover that they had traded off
friends foEs empty honors.
So, if the Democrats are wise they |
viii not try to capture the House this |
off year But what proof has anybody |
that the Democrats are wise?