The Brunswick news. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 1906-2016, 1913-08-12
CLOSE FOR TARIFF BILL.

The preearious fortune Of the tariff
measure in the senate is well illus
trated by the hazard into which fl
has been brought By the death o:
Senator Johnston Of Alabama, involv-
ing the Loss Of one Democratic vote
In the senate The count a votes ON
the bill now shows-estimating by
lparties-4s votes for and AZ against.
Should there be one detection from
the maximum OF strength II the
measures support. should a single
Democrat OF the not inconsiderable
group who are secretly chatting
against it's provisions and openly are
being urged by strong elements Of
constituents and moved by consider
ations OF their own political fortunes
to oppose II. join the two Democrats
from Louisiana in voting against u e
measure, all the labor of the extra
ordinary session OF congress and the
leadership of the president towards
great party achievement, will have
gene for naught majority would
be converted into a minority and the
bill would be defeated. There Is not
even the margin Of tie, with the
Democratic vice president to save the
day by casting the deciding vote
A single Democrat could defeat the
bill as the division stands now, by
merely. voting no" upon the question
OF It's passage. 1t Is too narrow a
margin 1t Is too severe temptation
to put upon haf-hearted persuasion
Of those Democrats who are yielding
their own inolinations and the de
mands of powerful sections of their
constituents to carry through party
measure.
efore the ratification and procla-
nation of the 18th amendment to the
constitution. providing for the cleo
ton of senators by popular vote the
situation could have been saved In
q few hours by the selection of a
senator to succeed Senator Johnston
and his appointment by the governor
of Alabama. There IL no warrant OF
law now for such appointment, in the
absence Of positive action by The
states legislature. No session of the
legislature is appointed to be held
for more than a year. The only solu-
ton Of the situation is for AN imme
date eau for an election by popular
vote In Alabama not by any means
an easy thing, and at the best re.
curing. probably several weeks OF
preparation or else an extra session
OF the Alabama legislature and the
hurried passage of an act enabling
the governor to make an appointment
ad interim until an election may be
held, The Democratic leaders OF the
senate are so greatly concerned owe
the situation that they are nr2ini
this latter course upon the governor
Of Alabama. and In the oircum
stances, that executive owes il to thu
Democratic party of which he and his
people are constituents, TO accede To
the request, even at the cost the ex
traordinary procedure will entail. But
the political fortunes of good many
will doubtless come into the situation
as factor, and there may be della,
in bringing about the desired end
that win keep tho whole business ON
edge and result in an insidious weak,
ening OF the whole line of support fol
the tariff bill in the senate. Should
death or sickness invade the ranks o
situation would be critical indeed
The Incident serves to show yer,
clearly the tremendous hazard to the
tariff bill to every day of delay OF
action upon it, II would be better
for everybody il the measure were
brought TO vote Immediately upon
the filing al Senator Jeilnston's seat
and the whole preeatious issue re
moved from the hardly held Demo
cratic control OF the senate.
------------s ~------------
FOR BETTER CHILDREN