New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-02-06
F|GHTFOR SENATE CONTROL
Contest Will Be Carried on Until
Adjournment.
PASSING OF THE OLD ORDER
"Old Guard" Doesn't Accept De
feat as Final-Insurgents May
Control Next Congress.
Iron The Tribune Bureau !

washington. Feb. 5-When the Senate re-
sumes its session tomorrow what Is gen.
orally regarded as the last fight between
the old and the new forces for contro-the
clc being the regular Republicans and the
new the coalition Of insurgents and Demo
crats-will be resumed at the same time,
and probably will be carried on until the
Hral curtain IS rung down on March T. This
fght may not be apparent except where
there is an open clash at arms on the floor,
cat It will he going on In the committee
rooms and in the Offices, where legislative
tactics viii he discussed and preparations
made FOR further conflict
The defeat of the "old guard" by the CO.
alition forces under the leadership of Sem
stor Borah. after careful toll of the
losses. is not accepted by the regulars as
fral There is a possibility that the coal!-
ton may yet oe routed, I'm which case It
might be hredeemably shattered. On a
more decisive vote. when the lines are
strictly drawn. II is quite likely that the
coalition will not lee able TO muster q ma
joritv IN case it does. II will probably
not attain its pet ambition, to amend the
Constitution TO provide for the popular cleo
ton Of Senators. as for that two-thirds
ACCOMPLISHED. it is doubtful whether a suffi-
cient number OF states would approve the
araerdmtnt in it's present form, abandoning
all federal authority over senatorial cleo
tiCns
Inc first clash VIII come over the adop-
lion Of the Sutherland amendment TO the
Borah resolution. which has the effect of
retaining In the hands OF the federal gov
eminent the Same authority over senatorial
elections as II now possesses over the cleo
ton OF Representatives. a majority of Re
Du5licans Will vote for the resolution as so
amended but the Democrats will doubtless
desert the coalition. as their fight is os-
tensi5ly not for the direct election of SEN
stors. but FOR the privilege of passing upon
the qualifications Of voters.
Some Insurgents Waverins.
The minds Of many Of the Senators are
not irrevocably made up. Some of the in
su-gents and near-insurgents are wavering
between the coalition and the regular lines
The fear OF antagoniZing the negro vote
by standing for an amendment which IN
effect would reopen the whole question Of
the Acknowledgement Of the negro. is a de-
terrent consideration Senator Cummins, OF
Iowa. and Senator Smith, of Michigan. al
though now with the coalition. are said 10
doubt the wisdom OF shouiderina such
problem. AT the same time. some OF the
Southern Democrats are inclined 10 doubt
the wisdom OF taking away from the Sen
ate all power over the selection Of its MEM
bors. IN which case the Senate would be in
an anomalous situation and different from
any other legislative body in the world
There Is a feeling among these supporters
cf the coalition that to tamper with such
fundamental principles Of the Constitution
is a grave danger and opens the way for
disaster to the political stability OF the
country.
How far the insurgents may be counted
upon 20 maintain their alliance is another
question. The spectacle ~ insurgent and
Democrat .oCked III friendly embrace IN
me light Of the tariff board bill presents
an incongruity which approaches farce.
The Insurgents demand permanent board.
The Senate Democrats are sworn 10 oppose
H. When the tariff board ill Il reported
as it va be- the coalition will be at an
end. az least until another convenient and
reciprocally advantageous deal can oe
made.
Nevertheless the conflict indicates the
beginning OF the end Of regular control
unless the insurgents in the next Congress
sdopt a different course. The stalwarts
n the regular side are going out. BY
adroit combination the Insurgents will De
able 10 exercise control. What effect the
sense Of responsibility, VIII n does not now
rest on their shoulders. NAV have remains
20 be seen There is assurance that at least
until the close Of the present Congress the
struggle Will last until the bitter end.