Watertown leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1909-1911, 1911-02-24


,uonwealths elected last November in
creased Democratic delegations TO
congress- Under Mr. Crumpackeg' 5
It'll, and this gentleman is a rery
loyal Republican in a state which left
hin. alone as its Republican repre-
sentative, New York would gain 6,
Pennsylvania 4, California and Okla
homa 3. Illinois, Massachusetts, New
Jersey. Texas and Washington 2, and
Alabama, colorado, Florida, Georgia,
Idaho, Louisiana, Michigan, Mime
sofia, North and South Dakota, Ohio,
Oregon, Utah, Rhode Island and West
Virginia one each This bill, how
ever, was voted down by the caucus.
Ship Subsidy Likely to Fail.
While the senate slipped through
by a mere tie vote the ship subsidy
bill long pressed by Senator Gal
linger, who has only one seaport, and
not one ship-building plant in all his
state, the house received a bill offer
ed by Captain Hobson, and ordered
printed, intended to accomplish the
same result. The Gallinger bill was
passed, thanks to the inexperience OF
a new Democratic senator from West
Virginia, who strolled out of the SEN
ate just at the moment that his vote
would have killed the bill
Nevertheless there are few people
who believe that the measure can
get through the house, while many
believe that the narrow majority by
which 1t passed the senate may result
In its recall and destruction.
Why Taft Abandons Southern Trip.
The cancellation by President Taft
Of all dates for the southern tour
projected by him for the weeks i'm
mediately following the adjournment
of congress, March 4, has given rise
to good deal of speculation as to his
reasons. There are three theories,
namely:
A-Roosevelt starts March for
a speaking tour of the South to urge
in that section and later in the West
the cause Of the Progressive Repub-
lican league. That organization, just
recently launched and still without
sails or rudder, is generally looked
upon as hostile to the Taft ambitions.
1t might be embarrassing to the two
rivals for Republican honors to meet
on the same stumping tour.
B-Some people, mainly of the
South, hold that Mr. Taft has aban-
doned his southern trip because he
fears expression of the resentment I'M
fn{1 u foJt
half OF San Francisco as against New
Orleans as the site of the Panama Elk
position. 1t Is pointed out that never
before has a president become a lob
byist, and in this instance Mr.. Taft did
unquest1onably use the great influence
votes of members toward the Pacific
coast city. Much bitterness has been
engendered in the South by his activ-
ity, and it may be that some appre-
hension Of GOODNESS or possible affront
may have caused him to change his
plans.
Why Taft Supported San Francisco
It Is easy to explain politically why
his power was thrown to San Fran
cisco. Whatever the decisions Of
northern Republicans may be, there is
no Republican party in the South. GER
tainly not ii the Gulf states. There
are few save Republican office holders
who make up the delegations to noni-
mating conventions Of their party
These at the moment owe their bread
and butter to Taft and must do the
bidding Of whOmsoever may be his
political manager. But in the West.
In California, where a progressive Re-
publican, Hiram Johnson, has been
elected governor, in Washington
whence comes to the next United
States senate Miles Poindexter, who
Is essentially a radical insurgent. in
Oregon where the junior senator is q
Democrat and the senior senator. JON
athan Bourne Jr., is the president of
the National Progressive league, the
president must look wisely after his
following else he may find delegations
trooping to the next national conven-
ton of the Republican party with BAN
ners inscribed with strange names
like La Toilette, Cummins or some
still unknown.
No Immediate Special Session.
C-The last theory of the cancella-
ton of the presidents southern dates
is that it portends an extra session Of
congress. Personally l take little
stock in this proposition Presidents
don't call together in extraordinary
session" (the proper phrase) a con-
gross opposed to them politically. If
President Taft cannot get his desired
legislation through the 61st congress
with SO Republican majority in the
house and 26 in the senate, what can
he hope Of the 62nd congress with 81
Democratic majority in the house. and.
If the pending senatorial elections go
as it appears they will, scant 10 Re-
publican majority III the senate
counting insurgents as Republicans?
Moreover there are nearly 500 Repub-
lican Office holders, all political work
ers, In and about the house end Of
the Capitol, every one of whom will
be displaced within two or three
weeks of the establishment of Donoo-