The Madisonian. (Richmond, Ky.) 1913-1914, 1913-06-17
FEAR A DETECTION
DEMOCRATIC SENATORS THINK
FOUR OF THEIR NUMBER MAY
BEAT TARIFF BILL.
DOUBTFUL ONES ARE NAMED
Anxiety, However, Seems unfounded
and Senate Probably Will Pass
Measure for President Wilson
Holds the Whip Hand.
RY GEORGE CLINTON.

Washington-There seems to have
been recently a revival of the early
fear of the Democratic senators that
some of their number may break
away from party control onfethe final
vote on the tariff bill and thus defeat,
so far as the senate can, the measure
to which Woodrow Wilson and the
party leaders have given their adher-
ence. The belief of the observers OF
things legislative, that is the belief OF
men not engaged In the work as sena-
tors or representatives, is that the
leaders fear Is not well founded and
that the senate will sanction the bill
as 1t was sent over by the house, with,
however, a few changes which Will
make rather for lower than for high
er rates.
The Democrats say it is a good deal
of a victory for a president of the
United States to have won over to
his way of tariff thinking virtually all
the members of the houses Of con-
gress.
Detection of Four Feared.
The fear Of the Democratic senate
leaders that there may be detection
from the ranks when the voting time
comes concerns itself only with four
senators and they are named very
fearlessly by the men who say 1t is
possible in two cases and certain in
two other cases that they will desert.
The senators named are Thornton and
Ransdell of Louisiana, Walsh of Mon
tana and Newlands of Nevada. A
good many Democrats do not believe
that in any circumstances Newlands
will vote against the tariff bill.
II three Democratic senators bolt
on the final voting roll call it means
that, provided the Republicans, pro-
gressive Republicans and the one Pro
gressive vote solidly against the bill,
there will be tie on the vote which
must be broken by the vote of Vice
President Marshall.
If four Democratic senator's refuse
to vote for the bill the opposition will
carry by a majority Of one and the
vice-president will not be called upon
to do anything. There is a feeling,
however, among good many of the
Democrats that If four of their party
shall decide not to sanction the meas
ure with their votes they can depend
upon one senator from the other side
to vote for the bill, thus creating a tie
and giving Vice-President Marshall
the right to decide the fate of the bill
in favor of the administration.
Things That May Happen.
What may happen, if Democratic
fears are realized, is that four party
senators may vote against the free
trade provisions of the bill when they
are offered in amendment form, thus
giving the bill an entirely different
appearance than the house leaders and
the administration would like 1t to
bear.
II the senate should decline to &C
cept free wool and free sugar, the most
important free trade features Of the
measure. it is altogether probable that
the house would refuse to concur. But
if the house did concur and the bill
was passed in a form not to the liking
of Woodrow Wilson, 1t is believed in
Washington that he will veto 1t and
do 1t with as sharp message as ever
was penned in the White House.
When the political campaign comes
on next year it will be within the
power of the administration to let the
voters of the country know what II
thinks about the action of Democratic
senators and representatives who, as
Mr.. Wilson views it, did not vote In
accordance with the dictates of the
Democratic platform adopted at Balti
more. The president, Democratic
leaders say, believe that vote
against the Underwood bill as 1t IL
framed is vote against Democratic
tariff principles Therefore, it is sale
he will feel justified in giving the rec
ord of recalcitrants to the country.
good many Democrats in the house, i
is known, voted for some of the pro
visions of the tariff bill even though
they did not like them and if the sen
ate passes the measure virtually al
the president wants it, and all fears
aside as it seems most likely to do, i
will be known that several of the sen
ators voted for some things which a
heart they did not like. The summar!
of the situation might be that Mr.. viii
son is still master OF the tariff situa
ton even though expressed fears II
some quarters are to the contrary.
1t makes no difference what man.
politics are, If he happens to come II
contact with the president of tn,
United States he must admit that hi
is a man of determination and tina
he intends to have his way as long a
he thinks his way is right. Demo
Gratis, Republicans and Progressive
may as well make up their mind t,
this condition for 1t Is attested in il
truth by men of all parties here II
Washington, who talk about it freel.
and frequently with admiration 70
what they call the backbone ele
ment'' in Woodrow Wilson. Legisla
ton as he wants it is likely to g
through and he. so it is said, is read
to stand or to fall by the resulting 81
fects on the country.
Never Misses Name.
There have been just as mary set
Tetaries to the president as there hay
been presidents Of the ITnitfd States