New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-03-11
PLANS OF INSURGENTS
Bourne Selects Owen for Demo-
cratic Senate Leader.
CORRUPT PRACTICES BILL
Salvation Army Head Will In
troduce Drastic Measure
Seeking Democratic Alliance.
fFrom TIE Tribune Bnreau.l


Washington. March l0-Whateyer the
purposes 81 the Democrats and Republi-
cans az the forthcoming session Of Con-
gress It is certain that the insurgents OF
the Senate. or. more particularly. that eX-
elusive class Of them who have come into
the fold az the Progressive League. will
use every opportunity TO further the
cause" Senator Jonathan Bourne. the
head Of the Salvation Army will lead on
by introducing a federal corrupt prac-
tices" bill, modelled on tho oregon plan,
by which It IS designed to make the prom
ise Of patronage for political purposes
crime punishable by fine and Imprisonment
Every federal official is 10 be amenable TO
its provisions. and even the President would
20 to jail II he promised a political ap-
pontment, instead ~ permitting members
Of Congress 10 distribute all the patronage.
Il is not expected that the bill will stand
much chance OF consideration. but. from
the insurRent point OF view. II will start
the fireworks in the Senate.
Furthermore, Senator Bourne has select
ed a leader for the Democrats. who appear
10 be somewhat undecided on that point
themselves. This political luminary has not
yet risen above the horizon. and it is safe
10 assume that the majority Of Democrats
are without knowledge of whom that lead
or is 10 be II IS Senator owen. OF Okla
homa. hero and sole participant in the fill
buster on behalf Of the Arizona constitu-
ton on the last day or the last Congress
This is referred 20 BY Senator Bourne a a
glorious fight for the recall and the prin-
ciple OF the initiative and referendum. II
was. at least a notable one. inasmuch as
II came near defeating several Of the big
appropriation bills and had the apparent
support Of nobody but Mr.. owen himself
Even Senator Bourne's insurgent col
leagues urged the prospective Democratic
leader 10 de.ist. and he himself showed no
signs OF going 10 Senator owen assist
ance
The chief OF the Salvation Army Ia
giving his undivided time in the period be-
fore the special session begins TO addressing
legislators and sending out his speeches. IN
which he outlines the purposes OF the
OREGON idea" Demands for these, ne
AYERS. are almost overwhelming. For his
address on the evils OF the patronage sys-
tenn. which he delivered In the course OF
dIibuster. 10000 requests have been re-
ceiyed
II is apparent that the aims Of the ultra
Insurgents TO secure a Democratic follow
ing are not received on that side without
apprehension. Senator Bailey and his fol
lowers have thrown down the gauntlet 10
what they regard as populistic ideas. They
arc opposed 20 insurgency, and this. more
than anything else. Will probably bring
about consolidation Of the Republican
ranks The insurgent Senators generally
are not especially anxious 10 make bargains
with the Democrats. and the stalwart
Democrats prefer to stand alone, without
any embarrassing combinations now that
they believe they have an opportunity OF
coming into full power before long.
Most Senator's now took forward to more
than tariff and reciprocity legislation dur
Ing the coming session. although the
Democrats Of the House are anxious that
the activities Of Congress should be re-
stricted 20 these subjects until the next
regular session. The determination 4
the insurgents 10 make capital while they
can will introduce one discordaat element
and others will likely make their appear
ancef once Congress IS under way. If the
srecial session were restricted 70 reciproc-
inv. 10 which President Taft's message Will
he confined there would bee less chance 4
further questions being considered. but ny
taking I'D the tariff the Democrats will
omen the door for all kinds Of legislation
and there will probably be no limit ex-
cent the patience and physical resources
Of the Senate 10 what may be proposed.