The Washington herald., 1912-02-09
THE POLITICAL SITUATION.
NJ FRANCIS ,. GEssNER.


While the announcement by George
PeIton Lawrence, o. the First Massachn-
setts district. that he viii not run has
caused regret both in Washington and at
home, It has served also TO call attention
to the narrow escapes Of many, other Re
publican members from Massachusetts, in
the last Congressional election. Law
renee Is a Republican. and his district
has usually given him a big majority.
He pulled through by ss5 plurality
This was nerve-racking after fourteen
years service, and not even the
renewed hopefulness OF a Presidential
year allures the North Adams states
man. Then there Ia Frederick Gillett,
Of Springfield, who has had ten elections
to the House. and he shivered some when
the returns came In at the last election,
finally sitting down to a meager plurality
OF 46S as against pluraiities Of other
years reaching into the thousands.
When it comes to pointing out narrow
escapes In Hassachusetts, do not over
look the close call OF William Henry Will
der. Republican, OF Gardner. who pulled
through with Just ten dozen votes. II
was the FIRST attempt Of Wilder. and he
promises 10 do better this year
Robert Harris is another new Republic
can member from the old Bay State, and
he was 1evoutIy thankful for plurality
Of only 81 over his Democratic foe,
Thomas c. Thatcher. There has been
much cogitstion and planning by all Re-
publican members from Massachusetts,
who just pulled through in 1910. and they
assume that a national campaign will
laI -, h. mn nf
the State by Murray, Crane with his
Senatorial campaign.
The senate In 1913.
By way of diversion, the downtown
political wise ones enjoy a season of
speculation now and then on the possi-
March I. 1918.
After Arizona and New Mexico send
on their new Senator's, there will be a
Republican majority Of seven in the Sem
ate Then there is speculation as to
which States will come along with DEM
ocratic Senators. Somehow the prospect
Is not cheerful for the Democratic citi-
zens who have been looking over the
map. year ago there was hope OF
sending another Democrat from New
Jersey to join MARITIME. but the recent
election OF a Republican legislature
dashes that hope and makes the return
Of Senator Briggs almost sure thing.
The Democratic gains in Massachusetts,
along with the domination Of Gov. Fsss
give a faint hope that Foss himself or
some other Democrat might defeat Muir
ray Crane, but recent reports indicate
that Crane has been busy for months
and knows where he is at"
There is no hope OF defeating Uncle
Shelby Cullom in Illinois or Curtis in
Kansas. Just a little hope remains that
Dixon, In Montana. may be beaten, but
Dixon himself is less worried about IT
than his Democratic foes.
Maine Republicans will send a Repub-
Iican to replace Obadiah Gardner. who
was appointed when Senator Frye died.
There is hope OF eloctinG two Democrats
in Colorado now that Guggenheim has
declined to make another campaign, and
the Senator Hughes vacancy is yet to
be filed. There may be fighting chance
in Delaware, as Richardson, Republican.
will not accept another term, and no
great effort for the honor is being made
by any Republican leader. Senator War
rem. Of Wyoming, is not a bit bothered
about coming back, and the Democrats
never did count on Wyoming after War
ren took hold OF the party organization
West Virginia is normally Republican
State, but Senator Watson mas injected
new style Of Democratic politics.
style which embraces the policy Of
reaching out for Republicans with ten
der words and an appeal for the business
interests and all that sort Of thing. Sena-
tor Watson Is a big business man HIM
self, and Is new In politics, but he has
aroused the Republicans by the soft.
subtle way he has OF doing things. and
they promise to send a Republican like
Isaac T. Mann, who was a luncheon
guest at the White House this week. or
Davis Elkins. who was appointed TO sue
ceed his father. Mann insists he is not
a candidate, and Elkins insists very much
on being one without any fear OF the
Watson method or system
A general survey Of every State due
TO elect a Senator this year gives the
Republicans little to worry about. as
Delaware, West Virginia, and Colorado
are the only States demanding extra at
tentiOn.