Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1912-12-22
FUSION IN THE UNITED STATES SENATE

The alignment of political parties in this country be
tween progressvcsm side and conservatism the
other promises TO come much sooner than many OF us
tcpated, ii it has not already. 1t has al
ready far the United States concerned but
whether will continue throughout the session after
Wilson shall have taken hold Of the rens OF government
many believe it will, yct be definitely
stated
Before the election because progressive Republican,
senators would agree the election OF president pro
tenn Of the senate who standpattef such officer
could be elected. The condition prevailed the
present session At is opening bnt through fusion agree
ment between standpa Democrats and standpat Repubi-
arrangement has been reached whereby stand
pat Democrat shall preside the senate onehaf the
time and standpat Republican the other one-haf the
time, the alterations being every two weeks.
1t IS believed thai tho fusion arrangement will be
made to hold good after the congress comes so that
the senate may be organized along standpa lines As an
1salcaon that many Democratic senator's do not intend
to bde ~ the progressive pnks Of their national plat
olln reference : made to poll recently taken by the
Chicago Tribune Of senator's and representatives pon the
question Of direct national presidential primary That
poll showed that there We're but 10 Republicans L. Demo
Gratis and the fogfPssfes in the senate who favor
law, while II Republicans and Democrats were OBJ
posed to Il and II Republicans and 25 Democrats were
noncommtal IN the house Of representatives the pro
portion antagonse to tie enactment Of such law was
still greater
1t will be matter for congrauation upon the part Of
the people OF idaho to know that her Republican senator
and her Democratic enrolled themselves as favor
Ing such law. The states Republican member Of the
house 81 representatives, also Of the IS Repub
can members Of the house voting favor Of presidential
PRIMARIES
President elect Wilson has recently come ont IN very
strong statement in which he declares his dutv to
aid III the enactment Of all progressive legislation wher
ever It Is possible for him do and declaring that he
may be expected to work at all times for the advancement
OF progressive ideas lie IS developing unexpected strength
as leader and Is showing unexpected determination not
10 be turned away from what he believes to be right f.
after his inauguration, he shall exert himself among
the lines Indicated by these other statements he may
be able to prevent pat fusion in the senate which
VIII block the enactment Of the reform and progressive leg
slaon demanded by the people Without his active inter
Terence and his great official influence however, it seems
almost certain that alliance of the kind will be made
III the next senate Gallinger Smoot Bacon Lodge Root
Penrose, Martin Of Virginia Rankhead of Alabama and
foke Smith OF Georgia, while are Republicans and
some are Democrats all first Of ALL conservatives or
standpaters and if they engineer fusion which will
give them control of the senate for two years longer they
most certainly will do it.