The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-06-04
Whole Program of Legisla-
ton Has Been Shaped for
Its Effects Upon the 1912
Campaign.
DEMOCRATS ARE TO
FORCE ALL ISSUES
Democrats Figure that Polit-
ical Capital Must Be Pro-
duced at the Expense of
the Republicans.
~ RopERIck CLIFFORD.

0V HOOERICk CIItFOhO.
Washington, June 3.-Statesmen
and politicians of both parties In
Washington agree that the present ex.
ira session OF congress has resolved
itself into a game of politics. The
whole program of legislation is shap-
ed for it's effects upon the results OF
the presidential campaign OF 1912.
Ordinarily the regular sessions OF
congress just preceding the national
campaigns are made the opportunity
for presidential juggling. This time.
however. the maneuvering has begun
nearly year ahead OF time. This
means that the 1912 campaign will
extend over eighteen months, and that
the country will be agitated longer
than during any presidential fight
since the second Jackson campaign.
It Is the obvious plan OF the Demo
cratic leaders in the house to force
issues on every political proposition
now pending before congress. or that
may hereafter be presented. All Of
this Is a part OF the game. Political
capital must be produced at the eX-
pense OF the Republican party. Fur
thermore now Is the convenient time
to produce 1t.
Republican Actions.
On the other hand the Republican
leaders are engaged in similar ma
neuvers. They appreciate the fact
that they are in the defensive. The
last congressional election went
against them. II showed very plainly
that the people had lost large meas
ure Of Conscience in them and were
apparently willing to try out the
Democratic party again.
The tariff revision legislation is. Of
course. the most important Of that
now before the two houses of con-
gress. This includes the presidents
reciprocity bill. 1t includes the free
list" and also revision OF the cotton
and wool schedules. These are the
issues upon which the Democrats
hope to go before the country next
year.
II was by Democratic votes that re-
ciprocity passed the house. 1t was
by Democratic votes that the free
list was passed, and II will be by
Democratic votes that the cotton and
wool revision will pass, II they do 60
through the house.
All OF these measures have found
the senate stumbling block. This
body is still decidedly Republican. 1t
might be controlled by fusion OF
Democrats, insurgent and near-insurg-
ent Republicans, but such a combina-
tion does not now seem probable. 1t
Ia a bit too much to expect the Demo
Gratis to win over enough Republicans
TO reorganize the senate.
No Smooth Sailing.
This all means that the tariff legis-
lation will not have smooth sailing
IN the senate. II also means II reci-
procity fails. II the free list" fails
and II neither the wool nor the cotton
schedules are revised. that the whole
tariff question will be before the coun-
try next year in u stronger form than
at any time since the tariff-for-revenue
only fight twenty years ago.
The Democratic leaders are certain
that they can win the presidency on
q platform promising tariff revision.
provided the Republicans arbitrarily
defeat all revision movements in the
present congress. That is exactly
why the Clark. k.Underwood-B Bryan lead
ers are determined to hold congress
In session all summer. IL necessary to
get vote on the tariff measure in the
senate. They refuse to be put of to
be told that the regular session in
December is the appropriate time for
the revision or that business is suffer.
ing because Of the constant agitation
OF the tariff question.
While congress. therefore. Is max.
Ing campaign issues. the politicians
both in and out of congress are get
ting their heads together on national
candidates. II Is true that the nation
al conventions are fully year Off but
that 10 not taken as reason why the
party elements should not be brought
together and organizations perfected.
Many tickets are already proposed.
For instance. there are the Taft and
Cummins: the Taft and Hammond:
the Taft and Stimson: Taft and Bor-
ah; Taft and sherman. About every
body who follows the course of poll.
tical events expects the president to
be renominated by his party The Re-
publicans may split. but the higher
force will stand by Taft and put him
at the head OF the ticket. The only
real question. therefore. Is finding a
vice presidential candidate who can
give strength to the head OF the ticket.
Who Candidates Are.
On the Democratic side of the prop
Osition. however. can be found three
(CnnfiouAA an paGo TwoN