Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-08-08
cuTs DOWN PARTY LEAD
TO BARE MAJORITY OF ONE
Should Any Democratic Senator From
West Refuse to Support Tariff Bill,
II Would Fail Of Passass ~ Dsms-
2 Gratis Worried and Viii Urge Cover
nor to Convene Legislature.

health and had not attended the ses-
siens OF the senate for q week. He
had been confined to his apartment
most Of the time, but his trouble had
not been diagnosed as pneumonia un-
til yesterday.
Senator Johnston was 20 years cid.
He served In the Confederate army,
was governor Of Alabama fer two
terms and had been q member Of the
senate since 1907. He succeeded the
late Senator Pettus. He was e-elected
In 1909.
Death Wsaksas Dsmsoratio Majority.
The death Of Senator Johnston weak
ems the democratic majority on the
tariff bill In the senate. tho party lead
ers insist there will be no difficulty in
passing the measure.
In the democratic CAUCUS 1t was said
forty mine senators had declared they
would support the bill ON its hnal pas
sage At that time Senators Ransdeu
and Thornton. Of Louisiana, were the
only ones to declare they would vote
against the bill. because Of the sugar
schedule.
On the basis Of the caucus alignment
democratic leaders figured that tho vote
on the tariff bill without dedections
from either side would be - to ~ for
its passage. The death Of Senator
Johston leaves the calculations Is to a..
Tie Not New Peesibis.
In the event that any western senator
who does not strongly favor tree sugar
might possibly vote ,aSaiust the bill.
the demoos.ats 1sss naainS Qn the
vice prssiaent 80 safy ths dI1n the
Eovo1t ~ = flos r No. .Nphnston,e deaSh.
pfoviaSd III Dsn9 = Mt n1l1a b1eors the
vote On the tariff bAu, removed tina
vios pssstdent from the range of pos6i-
bilit3ss on any strict ai0nmsnt Should
one vote be lost to the democrats on
the basis Of the present forecast. and
no member ot the minoetty soona to
their aid. the vote would stand ls to ~
against the bill. There eth - the
possibility that at least one member Of
the minority may vote for the demo-
cratic bill.
Legislature Nay Act at Once.
Danger Of the democrats losing
their majority may be obviated by tho
enteenth amendment to the constitu-
BY Senator Johnston's death.
Tho amendment provides for the fill
Ing Of vacancies in the senate In this
way:,
when vacancies happen in the
representation Of any state In the SEN
ate. tho executive authority Of such
state shall issue writs Of election to
all such vacancies. provided that the
legislature Of any state may empower
the executives thereof to make tempor-
ary appointment until the people hll
the vacancies by election as the legts-
laturo may direct"
AS in most of the other states. tho
Alabama legislature has not been In
session since the constitutional amend
ment was adopted this spring and con-
sequently has not empowered the gov
ernor OF Alabama to fll any vacancy
by appointment. The Alabama lesis-
lature does not meet until 1915.
To uroo Immediate Action.
Democratic leaders here. 1t was said
today, would urge on the governor Of
Alabama of the tiesirabil1ty OF calling
the legislature in extra session to give
him authority Of appointments or TO
provide for an immediate election.
Senator Johnston already had an
counced his intention to be candi-
date for reelection. Representative
rIobson had taken the stump against
him and the names Of Representative
Clavton and Heflin have been men,
toned also as candidates.
Majority Leader Underwood Of the
house also IL possibility. tho he has
said he would not give up the house
leadership for q senatorial toga. aena-
tor Johnston was chairman OF the mil
tiary affairs committee. ono OF the
most important Of the senate.