New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-11-09
SENATE IS DEMOCRATIC
Assured of 48 Seats, with
Marshall to Break Tie.
ROKE SMITH SEES MORE
oliver Would Test .Affiliation Of
Progressives When Upper
House Convenes.

Washington, Nov. S.-"The reorganiza-
ton of the Senate by the Democrats on
March is assured" said Senator Hoke
,, Smith, of Georgia, to-day in summing Up
the future status of the upper house as
result OF the election.
Senator SMITH was among the first Of
the Democratic Senators to return TO
Washington, and he spoke with assur-
ance, due largely to his connection with
the campaign. He spent month In
Chicago with Senator Reed. of Missouri,
In looking after the legislatures in the
various states. Senator Smith said:
We have thirty Democrats who hold
over and five who. already have been
elected, making thirty-hye. We have
Democrats from Georgia. Texas. Kansas,
Arkansas. Montana, Oklahoma, North
Carolina, South Carolina and two from
Colorado who have been elected In the
primaries. The Democrats undoubtedly
have carried the legislatures OF New Jer-
sey and Delaware, when lnsures Demo-
cratic Senators from each OF those states.
Adyices from Nevada and oregon clearly,
indicate the election OF Democratic cant
didates for the Senate. This would glyel
forty-nine Democrats. or a positive ma
jority OF the Senate.
Counts on More Seats.
Mr.. Smith was inclined to make addi-
tional claims based upon the states which
are considered doubtful. He said that ac-
cording to his advices the Democrats
would have a majority Of the Legislature,
of Tennessee, which would insure a.
Democratic Senator. He also counted on
Democratic accessions from Illinois and
Iii ~,
1--WE can rely safely on nifty Democrats
in the next Senate" he declared.
Senator Smiths summary Of Democrats
control in the Senate is substantially in
accord with the general view taken at the
Senate wing of the Capitol. In other
quarters an impartial survey Of the re-
turns gives totals up to the present time
as follows: Democrats. IS; Republicans,
Al; doubtful, z; total membership, 81.
The seven seats still classed as doubt
full are the two from Illinois and one each
from Michigan, Oregon, South Dakota,
Tennessee and Wyoming. Without any Of
these seven doubtful seats, the present
assured Democratic strength of forty
eight is exactly half OF the total member
ship and is sufficient, with the vote Of
Vice-President Marshall, on tie, to cons
troll the Senate.
oliver for Progressive Test.
The test as to the political affiliation Of
the Progressives in the Senate probably
will come soon after the converting Of
Congress, on the first Monday in Decem-
Der.
"If I could have my way" said Senator
oliver, of Pennsylvania, one Of the fore-
most Of the standpat Republicans, to-day,
II would determine the question at tho
earliest moment" He continued;
With the Vice President no longer with
us, II will become imperative 10 elect a
president pro tempore OF the Senate as
soon as we convene. "As Is generally
known, the Progressives ref6se TO support
Senator Gallinger. who was the caucus
nominee for president pro tenn. OF tho
last session. / would call another caucus
TO name a candidate for this offlce, ana
would make his support test OF party
loyalty on the part Of Senator'S claiming
TO be Republican.
II the course suggested by Mr.. Oliver
should be pursued It might result In the
early recognition OF a third party In tho
Senate II Is claimed, however, by SEN
ator Gallinger's friends that the Progress
sive opposition to him. had largely, died
away before the close Of the last session.
The Democratic Senators are most anX-
ious to obtain such majority Of their
own membership in the Senate as 10
avoid entirely the necessity OF any de-
pendence upon the Progressiyes after
March L. ....