The Washington times., 1911-01-08
Oklahoman Prominent in
Maneuvering Being Carried
on by Democrats.
BAILEY REQUIRES
NO BADGE OF OFFICE
Texan Occupies Commanding Po-
sition All His Own and Strug-
gle Is Expected.
BY JUDSoN c. wELLIvER.

Always down under~the surface, the
preliminary tests in great contest for
the leadership of the Democratic side
Of the Senate are being carried on, in
a series of highly interesting maneuv.
ers.
Democratic leadership has had a Gu
rious experience in recent time. Sena-
tor Culberson, of Texas, wls leader till
ill-health, and inability regularly to at
tend to the arduous duties, compelled
him to retire from the watch tower.
Senator Money, of Mississippi, was Sc
lected by the caucus to succeed him. He
Is shortly TO retire from the Senate.
With the Democrats hopeful of a Sem
ate majority soon, what is now the MI
nority leadership may soon become one
of the most powerful positions in the
Government. Small wonder If ambitious
statesmen look with avid eye to the
possibility of one day welding even a
fraction of the power which Aldrich
has held during the long period of his
domination.
New Members Ambitious.
Just as new Republicans come, like
La Toilette and Cummins, and have
the temerity to aspire to Republican
leadership, so there is intimation that
some Democrats of comparatively short
service have like aspirations on their
side. Among these, Senator owen, of
Oklahoma, has been brought into the
spotlight by his coup in introducing a
resolution to unseat Senator Lorimer.
This bold bid for a commanding posi-
ton on an issue which now promises to
be the most absorbing before the Senate
for long time. has compelled attention
to the possibilities of the Oklahoman.
For one thing, II Is accounted that
Owen has nerve enough and brains
enough to emancipate himself from
what may be called the terror of the
Bailey intellect. Senator Bailey does
not require any badge of office TO be
leader. His knowledge of law, his
knowledge of tactics, his constitutional
erudition, his intimacy with legislative
methods and his long experience, to-
gether with his remarkable powers as
place quite his own.
Mr.. Bailey's Delight.
1t seems to be a source of grim salts
faction to Mr. Bailey occasionally to
rise in his place and, forgetting whose
lapel bears the insignia Of leadership.
give the Senate demonstration of that
leadership which needs no label. No
| body seems to suspect that Bailey will
claim the titular command. but every.
body understands that he can be ex
pected to give occasional demonstra-
| tions of a prowess which has earned
wholesome respect of antagonism.
Bailey and owen represent antipodal
views, despite that both are Democrats
| With the influx Of number of progres,
sive Democratic Senators from Northern
States, owen will be a possible minority
! leader He is typical OF the new radi
| cal thought which Is the basis Of thu
! progressive movement in both parties
| And nobody even remotely suspects thai
quires a measuring of lances even will
the redoubtable champion from tn,
Lone Star State.
Question Stirs Party.
This question of whether Bailey Il
to dominate the minority when per
haps it shall become a majority, i
stirring the Democratic side to it
depths With all that Is conceded t
his ability and experience, Bailey
frankly looked on by progressive
and even moderates, in both partie:
as a dangerous leader. He is no
credited with a full measure of sym
pathy with that rather vague body o
thought and policies denominate
progressive. He is not liked by MI
Bryan and he reciprocates the lack G
affection most heartily.
There is little doubt that at tn
proper time there will be a contes
between the Bailey and the ant
Bailey schools of Democrats for tn
control of the party program in tn
Senate. There will probably be a Sc
called Bailey candidate" and a
"anti-Bailey candidate" for leader
ship, and the contest between the1
, will be an epitome of the struggl
now going on for control of the Dem
ocratic party, its convention, II
nomination, and its platform in 191
81