Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1913-03-21
HARMONIOUS DEMOCRACY.

President Wilson has now been sailing
upon the Political waters foE about 20 days.
He has proven himself a safe oarsman.
His strokes are graceful and he lends
confidence to the nation and his imnle-
date political family directly surrounding
him at Washington. He has his Senators
and Congressman in his boat riding easy.
not one caring to kick up his heels.
Senator La Toilette has been taking about
getting aboard Of the Wilson progressive
boat. but he viii not take passage until
after the tariff rock is past Some Of
President Wilson's graceful strokes are
He has given notice that the Office
seekers viii not be allowed TO take up the
time Of the President He will not be a
patronage dispenser.
He has given notice that there is TO be
no nepotism He did not lift a finger to
save his own brother from defeat as a
candidate for Secretary Of the Senate
Neither the President nor members Of his
Cabinet are to appoint relatives to Office.
He has given notice that the abomina-
bic practice Of putting riders" on appro-
priation bills must stop.
The reorganization Of the United States
Senate took place on Saturday last under
the leadership Of Mr.. Kern President VIII
sons fine stroke. no doubt, assisted in this
work and the waters were left undisturbed
Fractional differences disappeared in the
final processes Of organization. Senator
Tillman- who carried up to the party eau
Gus his fight for the Craftsmanship Of the
Appropriations Committee, voiced the final
word of harmony in the Senate when he
was given the Craftsmanship Of the Naval
Affairs Committee
In its recognized form the Senate is
apparently entirely in the control Of the
forces considered most actively in harmony
with President Wilson The fight begun
early in the last session by the so-called
progressive forces evolved a change Of
Committees that gives the balance Of pow
er on all Of the important committees to
the forces which selected Senator Kern as
party leader and which are regarded as
active supporters Of the policies advocated
by the President
While it is true that such conservatives
as Simmons. Martin. Tillman. Smith. John
ston. Clark and Bacon are recognized in
committee chaimanships, throughout the
remaining committee assignments runs the
atmosphere Of liberslity and wisdom New
members. instead Of being placed far down
on unimportant bodies as heretofore, have
been taken care Of Minor chaiFmanships
have been awarded TO younger Senators
in every instance.
In following the seniority rule in the
main it was necessary to head Finance
with Simmons. But on his committee are
such progressives as Williams. Stone, Gore.
James and other real tariff reyisionists In
other words. it looks like this committee
was packed" against Mr.. Simmons
The Claims Committee, with Bryan, Of
Florida. at its head, and with Oyerman.
Robinson. James and Martin. all Southern
ers, as majority members, lends itself
to the hope that the depredations Of Union
soldiers in the Southern States will be com
pensated for out Of the treasury.
Most Of the other important committees
have on them progressive Democrats Of
unfailine tendencies. all Of which forces
the conviction that President Wilson may
look to the Senate for full sympathy in
spite Of the apparent victory Of the con-
servatives.
The personnel of the Committee on In
ter-oceanic Canals. Of which Senator
0Gorman was made chairman. is such as
to indicate that any legislation to repeal
the Panama Canal free tolls provision will
meet strong opposition within the COM
mittee. In the last Congress repeated
efforts 10 have the committee approve a
repeal bill were defeated. largely through
the efforts OF Senators OGOrman and Bns-
tow
The Democrats determined to take the
Committee Of Woman Suffrage out of the
minority lists and make il a majority
committee. with Senator Thomas. of Col
orado. as chairman. This was done in
the expectation that equal suffrage will
be one Of the live subjects for the Senate S
consideration. 1t was also decided to place
the Committee on Public Health in the
majority lists. with Senator Ransdell. OF
louisiana. probably as chairman
Senator John Walter Smith. Of Maryland,
was elected chairman OF the Committee on
the District OF Columbia. He is pleased
with the appointment He would have pre-
ferred the Craftsmanship Of the Naval Az
fairs Committee on account Of his interest
in the Naval Academy. but next to that he
thinks the District Committee offers the
best opportunity for active service during
the Sixty-third Congress.
We propose that this great body shall
be democratic not only in name but in
practical reality" said Senator Kern. "and
that the charge 50 often made that il is
controlled by few men through commit
tee organization and otherwise shall no
longer have any basis in fact"
These are days Of large engineering