Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-02-03
[By Special Correspondence

LILY cpSCldl SOITeSpOHOcACS.J
Washington, Feb. 3.-"The political
situation in congress is at stand
STILL" said Congressman Victor Muir
dock Of Kansas, in commenting on the
F.; fact that there is little important po-
! litical activity among democrats. re-
! pub.icans or +. oppressive party men at
the capitol just now. "They are all
waiting. They don't know just where
| TO turn. 1t all revolves around Wilson.
! Until it is known what sort OF cab
met he will select and what course he
| is going to take, you will not see much
STIR
! 1t is the opinion of Mr. Murdoch.
who has accumulated lot of political
! wisdom in the battles he has tough. il
! the house and down in Kansas. that
, much depends on whether Wilson
proves thoroughgoing progressive
when he gets into action as president.
If he is, Mr.. Murdoch believes the
! country will approve Of him and that
he will get strong support in congress
not progressive, then there will be
not progressive, then there will be
Widespread condemnation Of him.
View Widely Shared In.
Mr.. Murdock's view is widely shared
in congress. 1t is the feeling Of many
OF the democrats, the republicans and
the progressive party adherents. The
conviction is general that Mr.. Wilson
is confronted with one Of the most diff
ficult situations that ever confronted
president and that none but hirlself
can solve it. The only possible course
Of safety for Wilson. according to a
great deal of capitol talk, regardless OF
partison politics. is to take down the
big stick as soon as he gets inside the
White House and act with vigor.
energy. persistency and consistency in
using it. 1t is widely felt that unless
Mr.. Wilson cracks the whip over the
democratic team. a team that does not
harness up well together, and proves
that he Is the real driver Of it, 1t will
run away with him before he has been
six months in office. If he proves
himself the master. he can get along
with the democratic factions in house
and senate. If he does not, he VIII be
in constant turmoil and difficulty.
Congress Anxious Over Cabinet.
The utmost anxiety is being mani
| tested in congress circles as to the new
cabinet. Up to date. Governor Wilson
has been talking more or less about
his course as president. But congress
wants to take a look at the cabinet.
Then it will pass pretty shrewd guess
on what It may expect the next tour
years. Most of the men being talked OF
for the cabinet are known here thor
oughly: Their measure has been pretty
accurately taken. II the cabinet Is
made up OF Strong and forceful pro-
gressive democrats, 1t will be consid-
cred Mr.. Wilson means what he says
when he talks about being progressive.
| If it is spotted with democrats OF the
| opposing type or the type that stancs
! for nothing in particular but partisan
ship and opportunism. 1t will be taken
| for granted the new administration is
| not going to make a shining success.
Boss or Get Run Over.
One thing that makes 1t clear MI.
| Wilson is going to have to boss the
job completely or get run over IS the
| attitude of many of the democrats IN
the senate and house. Under the sur
face there is much Jealousy trouble
! and contention among the democrats
| at each end of the capitol. The ola
guard democrats are completely IN the
air concerning Wilson. They look on
him as a puzzle. They can't make up
| their minds whether he will prove
strong or weak. They are fearful he is
! going to stick the knife deep into the
old guard democrat wherever ne mas
him but they don't believe he Will dare
do it. If he does do It, they "onoer
whether he will get away with u.
| whether he will have the strength 10 oo
the lob or will make failure OF IT,
,rhoy have no affection for Wilson
rather. there is deep-seated antag-
onism TO him but the conservative
leaders are taking much care just no"
10 conceal it. After the wheels OF leg
islation get to running next spring
the friction in the machinery Will re-
veal itself more clearly.