The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1911-03-03
REPUBLICANS
LEADERLESS
REGULARS In SENATE WITHOUT
GUIDE
Senator Lodge laundering After the
Republican Leadership

in the closing days Of the third sess-
ion Of Congress that will expire by
Constitutional limitation on March 4.
With Senator Aldrich away, and no in
tention of resuming his legislative
duties, Mr.. Hale, of Maine, Is looked
upon as nominal leader.
However, the latter goes out of pub
lie life next month, and he does not
seem anxious to shoulder the respon-
sibilty. Besides, Mr.. Hale is not
popular with the rank and file even
among the regulars, and the insur-
gents have not q bit OF use for him,
and do not hesitate to tell 1t around
they are glad his Senatorial career Is
to end SO soon.
Mr.. Burrows, OF Michigan, ranks
next to Mr.. Aldrich on the Finance
Committee, from which the Taft
reciprocity agreement with Canada
will come after 1t goes through the
House and Is sent to the upper branch
for consideration and manipulation.
Mr.. Burrows is not conspicuous
member of the large flock of lame
ducks" his wounds having been in
fiicted by the Republicans of his own
State last year, when they decided at
a primary that he should give up his
oCAdIO1Ld1 pC1I ~
Charles e. Townshend.
That verdict went hard with vet
eran Republican laWmaker like Mr..
Burrows, and as he is growing old
quite naturally he does not evince a
the chance, the burdens of his party
in the dying days or a Congress that
will terminate his career.
Resides Mr. RurrnwS ac chairman
of the Privileges and Elections Com
mittee has load of trouble to carry
in trying to make his fellow Sena-
tors and the country believe that Will
liam Lorimer was not mixed up in
lot of crooked business when he broke
into the Senate from Illinois. The
chairman or the committee is known
to feel keenly the attacks that have
been made by both Republicans and
Democrats upon the majority report
in the Lorimer case, and the talk is
MIR. Burrows becomes depressed every
time he thinks that if Mr.. Lorimer is
saved at all it will have to be through
the assistance hoped for on the DEM
ocratfc side of the chamber as a re-
suit OF the stand taken by a limited
number Of the Democrats.
As rumors are flying thick and fast
that President Taft will surely call an
extra session of Congress should the
Canadian reciprocity agreement not
be acted upon by the present Con-
gress, speculation as to who will re-
ally succeed Mr.. Aldrich as Senate
leader is again becoming lively.
Opinions differ widely as to what
President Taft wfll DO in the event his
advice on this matter is not followed.
As far as sentiment can be guaged by
questioning Congressman of both par
ties, fully two to one do not believe
Mr.. Taft will call Congress together
In extra session, even though the
present session should end without
action upon the matter.
Quite number say privately that
they regard the attitude OF Mr.. Taft
and the ruling spirits in his Cabi-
net as nothing short of a"bluff" that
Is being put up solely for the purpose
OF soaring the lawmakers on Capitol
Hill.
They insist that even if the session
ends with most of the Administra-
ton measures hanging high in the air
Mr.. Taft will take ii out in protest
ing to the country, and as he begins
to think of the hot weather coming
on he will simmer down himself and
send out the news that he has assur-
ances his policies will be looked after
at the regular session, and IL he finds
there is any doubt about it he can
easily call the lawmakers together
early in October in special session.
AS an Offset to the foregoing view
of the situation It can be stated on
good authority that within the last
week several prominent Republicans
during calls at the White House have
strongly advised President Taft that
it would be a good stroke OF party
policy for him to bring about an extra
session of Congress in March.
They are understood to have told
the President that he might as well
make up his mind that his Canadian
agreement cannot pass the Senate
this session. According to their con-
tention, If it goes over to an extra
session, when the Democrats will be
in complete control or the House, il
will be impossible for Champ Clark,
Oscar Underwood and other leaders
among the coming majority in that
body to prevent the offeringof amend
ments that will open up the whole
question of revising the tariff.
That being the case, the Presidents
the House Democrats do-whether
they stand still or 60 ahead with
tariff revision-it will be to the ad-
vantage of the Republicans i'm the ma
tional contest next year, and for that
reason President Taft will have moth
ing to risk and everything to gain IL
he forces the Democrats to 20 on
record before they can get ready for
the tilt.
Senator Lodge is laundering after
the Republican leadership OF. the next
Senate. So Is Senator Penrose, or
Pennsylvania. Senator Lodge is ex-
tremely unpopular with both Repub-
lican factions. BY the right of seniori-
ty, Mr.. Penrose would be entitled TO
the craftsmanship OF the Finance
Committee in the next Senate and the
floor leadership, but there is terrible
opposition to him because of his poor
debating qualities. The insurgent Re-
publicans do not want either Senator
Lodge or Senator Penrose to have
that diatfnntion and the Indication