The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-06-28
HARMONY MAY WIN VICTORY.
DEMOCRATS IN CLOSER IrNrrv
THAN IN YEARS PAST.
Leadership OF Martin in Senate and
Clark and Underwood i'm House
is Telling.

was =, June 25.-To Sena-
tor Staples Martin of Vir-
81 = nOrity leader of the upper
,S Of congress- belongs in large
- >ure much of the present unity
: 4ong the Democrats Of that body. J
Ind, conversely, much of the disor-
ganizNtion and lack of harmony that
prevails among the Republicans.
When short time ago, the Demo-
Gratis, just slightly in the minority in
the senate, met in conclave TO select
a leader-one who could make them
more a factor in the senate deliha-a-
uons than had been the case befo-c---
they set about to find a man who
could in modern day parlance, ''de.s
liver the goods" They selected Thos.
5. Martin for that important duty
and whether or not his leadership is
proving a success is shown better by
the utter rout which prevails among
the Republicans and the division
which confronts them on every side
than in any other way. The Demo-
Gratis on the other hand, are probably
more in line and in harmony con-
corning the measures that are now
pending before that body than they
have been in years. This may be
due to the Martin leadership or it
may not, but the fact is true. and
there must be after all some real rea-
son for it.
There is no more interesting diver
sion for those who sit in the senate
galleries and watch the progress Of
legislation and the various events as
they come up from day to day than
to follow the movements of the lead
ers on the Democratic and Repubn-
can sides of the chamber. 1t does
not take a trained eye to detect the
absolute lack Of harmony that has
taken hold Of the. Repueiicans. Little
I ga y aucuses helH. here ana thsre In Cor
hers OF the siaa.soer show that silere
is split Of no mean order on among
the erstwhile leaders in the upper
house. They are caucusing to get to-
gether, to save reciprocity and Will
liam Howard Taft, and to stamp out
the political fire that La Toilette has
started going much the same as a
blaze sweeps the field with the on
coming wind. They see no way to
pass reciprocity unless they can get
their forces together statements from
Penrose and Crane and others. not
withstanding. And that is the vital
question. Can they get together when
there are so many in their ranks who
do not want to do il. With enough
insurgents acting, with the Democrats
to carry the day against the Repub-
licans of the regular line it wis diff
ficult to see how the split is to be
mended. 1t may and probably will
be patched up for the party's good
but the axe has gone deep and the
scar can not be effaced. The oppo-
sition is too strong, especially with
the Democrats working most effect
lively.
Summed up, the situation means
that President Taft is scared out of
his boots because he has good reason
to fear that reciprocity will not pass.
Its failure means his Reputation, not
that his party would forsake him or
dinarily, but the failure of the meas
ure will mean the failure of the man.
He can never receive another nomi-
nation. Meanwhile the Democrats
working in thorough harmony in both
houses, with Underwood and Clark
and Martin in charge.are driving
| their teams directly toward the White
House. The party never made bet
ter progress than it is making now.
thanks to an excellent leadership in
both the house and the senate. The
party can win with Wilson, Clark or
Harmon, with votes to spare if the
same splendid party harmony pre-
walls for the next - months. Under
wood and Clark are effecting the
great victory in the house and Martin
will do it in the senate.