Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-04
Democrats in Congress Dis
posed to Be Cautious.
HARMONY IS CHIEF ASSET
Jubilant Over Power, But Restrained
by Feelings Of Conservatism.
ARE LOOKING OUT FOR 1912
Aim to Put Through Legislation
That Will Help Party in
Next Campaign.

No opening Of Congress in many years
has had such interest and Importance
as workers In both political parties at
tach to the beginning Of the Sixty-sec
Congress. Every move which has been
made and will be made is with direct
bearing on the presidential campaign for
1912, the foundation of which is to be
laid in the record Of this Congress.
The spirit OF the contesting parties
manifest at the outset is in vivid con-
trast. The democrats. absolutely in the
majority In the House and with ma
terially increased strength in the Senate.
are at once tubilant and cautious.
They are confident that they have pro-
ceeded thus far in q way to attract popu-
lar approval, but they are sensible of the
responsibilities upon them and wary OF
pitfalls which In the nature Of things will
crowd their way. Their chief asset is
harmony and this they possess at the
commencement in notable degree.
The Republican Situation.
The republicans are in more desperate
case than they have been for many years.
Torn with dissension In the past twelve
months. they seem only now to have
awakened to the menace of their situation
and in last nights caucus made the first
effective effort toward reunion Of the fac
tions.
The democrats in the House have a
clean-cut, specific and, they believe, pop
ular legislative program to enact The
republicans will be reduced to the role
OF criticism, and in that will be divided.
since one faction sympathizes in the main
with the democratic program, and, If it
were 1naugurated under republican aus
pices instead Of democratic, would sup
port it.
the republicans fighting for their life
President Taft looks on, hoping success
Tor his party, but determined upon secur-
Ing remedial legislation regardless of
partisanship and from whatever hands it
may come.
Leaders Lend Approval.
The new Congress starts with the best
wishes Of democratic national leaders,
several OF whom are on the scene. Mr..
Bryan, watchful for the principles of pro-
sressiveness in his party. for which he
has fought. applauds the opening. Mr..
Harmon. popularity classed as personifica-
t1on or the more conservative element of
the democrats, is equally enthusiastic at
the Zine running start his party has
made.
3he friends in Congress of Gov. Wood
row Wilson Of New Jersey will be on the
alert to see that none of the principles of
which he Is an exponent is slaughtered
IN the legislative action. And in the
Speakers chair Champ Clark of Missouri
Will keep an eye on the gun all the time,
and his supporters will be on the picket
line. In the vanguard and on both tanks,
increasingly.
AS for the rank and file of the demo-
cratic leaders I'm Congress- it is un-
doubtedly q correct estimate of them to
say that they are more intent upon
making a good democratic record than
in working up program which will in
ure to the benefit of any particular
candidate for the presidency.
Looking Out for Party.
They want to put through LEGISLATION
which will enable the democratic party
to go before the people in 1912, in the
presidential and congressional elections
and in the state elections bearing upon
further changes in the United States
Senate, with achievements to the credit
Of flA marty