The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1911-04-15
DEMOCRATS IN
CHAOTIC CONDITION
Especial to Silver State)
(By +. j. DYER.)

fairly started promises to be one Of
the most interesting affairs in the leg
islative line ever witnessed in this
country. AS to the net results in the
way of legislation, that is another
matter. While the president called
congress together for the sole purpose
of enacting reciprocity tariff treaty
with Canada, it is apparent that there
is an intention to make that quite q
secondary issue. The Democratic
house is intent on a revision Of the
tariff. 1t will begin with wool, but it
will 60 just as far as it can. The pro-
tectionists, aided by Republican SEN
ate, will do everything possible to
balk the revisionists. Already the
progressive insurgents have shown
that they realize their strategic posi-
tion. They will figure largely in the
final results.
To greater extent in the senate
than in the house, there are two well
defined groups of insurgents, one each
on the democratic and Republican
sides. While the Republicans are CO.
hesive and well managed, in the main,
the Democrats are fighting among
themselves and are unable to agree on
man for leader. They would like to
have Senator Culberson, of Texas, take
the reins, but he would face situa-
tion which would not be pleasant for
him, as he would be directly opposed
to Senator Bailey, also from Texas and
an ambitious leader who aspires to
control the action of the Democratic
stalwarts. Relations between the two
Texas senators are already somewhat
strained. Aside from Culberson tho
afnrIaI L.
out satisfactory material from which
to pick leader. Their forces are in.
choate, unorganized, seemingly unas-
similable. With talent enough none Of
it seems to be of just the right sort
and every suggestion made of q man
to lead meets with objections to him
for one reason or another. William
Jennings Bryan himself tried to bring
order and organization among his
progressive friends in the senate but
with little result. 1t looks, as some Of
the political wise ones have said, like
contest between Bailey and Bryan,
with Bailey seemingly holding the ad-
vantage. John Sharp Williams may
yet contest Bailey's leadership, ana
Raner will be another contender for
the honors.
| Bailey is a man whose ability is not
questioned. He. is big lawyer and an
able and effective debater. Even those
who dislike him, and he has his ene-
mics, readily admit the brilliancy of
his intellect. He seems likely to lead
his party in the senate. The only
man there who ever silenced him com
! pletely was that brainy man, Senator
Hughes, of Colorado, whose superior
skill in debate, knowledge of law and
power as an orator amazed the gal
leries and won the homage Of his col
leagues on the one occasion when he
gave glimpse of his ability. His
death cut off one of the most promising
careers in the upper house Of congress.
Hughes seemd destined to be the lead
er of the minority. Bailey now seems
to have no real competitor. But he
rules by force of his intellect and his
aggressiveness rather than through
any other quality Of mind or heart.
On the Republican side it seems to
be conceded that Massachusetts, will
dominate as Texas does on the minori-
ty side. Lodge and Crane are power
full pair. Lodge acts as mouthpiece
for the administration ON the floor.
Crane has the presidential ear and
works out arbitration and reciprocity
schemes in the cloakrooms ,harmonizinr
antagonists and placating the dis
gruntled. Most of the old time leaders
Of the Republicans have died or gone
down to defeat. Frye, Cullom and
Perkins are too old for strenuous war
fare, but their wisdom will be valued
in council. Root, Nelson, Galiinrer,
Nixon, McCumber, Burton, Penrose,
Smoot, Sutherland, Warren, these and
others give sprinkling of that ele-
ment so greatly respected in the SEN
ate, seniority. All of the old war
horses are not departed and among
some OF the new corners there are
qualities which compensate for brevity
of experience.
Numerous Bills.
1T one may Judge by the number of
bills of all kinds introduced during the
first few days of the special session,
the members do not look for an early
adjournment. 1t would seem as if they
were prepared to legislate upon every
subject under the sun, and few which
have never before been considered.
Among them was a bill by Mr.. Payne
of New York for the creation Of a
tariff board. This was referred to the
ways and means committee, which is
getting along nicely, in its own opin-
ION, without the advice or assistance of
such a body in the work of framing
tariff schedules. There were hundreds
of private bills, and large number of
these were for the increase Of pen
| sions. Congressman Austin seems to
be in the lead in the presentation of
bills, both of a public and private ma.
| ture.
Ballinger and Alaska.
| There is considerable talk about re-
opening the Ballinger ease. The enc
mics of the former secretary of the
interior seem not to be satisfied with
driving him into private life. They
seem to think that the very volumi-
aous and even tiresome testimony
brought out, with every facility offer.
I'd for bringing it out at the congress.
sional investigation did not include
some things which might be told.
However, it is not the general opinion