The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-02-06
OPPORTUNITY FOR
INSURGENTS HERE
Fear That Administration May
Lose Control of Next Con-
gress Is Growing.
SITUATION ONE THAT
AR0USES MUCH INTEREST
Combine of Democrats and
Anti-AdminiStratiOn Forces
Means Something.
BY RALPH NJ. WHITESIDE.


WASHINGTON, Feb. "a "near
panic born in the consciousness that
Democrats and insurgents may control
the next congress, is causing the regu-
lars among the Republicans some un-
easiness. President Taft has been ap-
pealcd to, and it is said that some kind
Of tncit agreement exists between
the president and the Republican lead
ers that sledge hammer blows shall be
struck in defense of the Republican
party and its policies.
The coalition Of Democrats and in
surgents in the fight for their prin.
ciples is making this one of the most
interesting political sessions OF con
grcss ever held. There is not so much
fear that the Democrats will gain con
troll, but there is great deal OF fear
that Democrats and insurgents, by link
ing forces. will absolutely control the
next house, while the senate Will be
in the power of such insurgents or rad
icals as Cummins, LaFollette and
others
1t only requires a change OF twenty.
four votes TO overturn the house, as
there is at present Republican ma.
iority of forty-seyen votes. The terms
of twentyfour Republican senators ex-
pire March 4. State legislatures will
fill the vacancies for the next session
Of congress.
Opportunity Is Evident
Now. a review Of the states where
new senators will be chosen shows that
the Democrat-Insurgent coalition has
the opportunity Of its life, Senator
Piles is not a candidate for reelection
and there is possibility that the In
surgent Republican, Poindexter, may
succeed him.
a wave Of Democratic sentiment in
Indiana may defeat Beveridge. The
same is feared for Burkett, Dick, Nc
Cumber and Warner. In Michigan an
insurgent may succeed Senator Bur
rows. Senator Clapp and Senator La
Toilette both have their fences well
constructed and will likely be re.
elected.
If, in the course of events in Wash
ington, Representative Poindexter is
chosen, it may mean switching of
Senator Jones, sentiment swinging him
into the insurgent lineup 4 new man
will succeed Senator Flint of Califor.
MIA, but so far there are so many varied
elements in the fight that it is impos-
slble at this time to say who the sue
cessor may be.
Insurgents Gain Strength.
The insurgent sentiment, starting in
tne west, mas moved In both dlrec-
tons. Word from headquarters sent
Senator Hale hurrying back to Maine
to fight it there, and Senator Page of
Vermont is already looked upon as a
half hearted insurgent.
The insurgents are hopeful of a tie
IN the next senate. That is a tie with
equal numbers on the regular Repub.
lican side and on the Democrat -Insur-
gent side. Should the Democrats gain
IN SfsIA Ia 4 4 4
and should four insurgents be elected
the result will stand: Aldrich Repub-
leans, 46; Democrat-Insurgent coali-
ton. 46.
What should such congress be call
ed. Surely not Republican. Neither
would it be Democratic. Likewise the
insurgents would be in the minority.
No matter what name such an orpaniza-
tlon would be termed, it would have the
power of creating more excitement than
any congress under the Roosevelt re-
gime,