The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1913-07-10
LS0NA[READ HAS
MACHINE THAT BEATS
FINEST OF CANN0N'S
President and Party
Constitute a Wonder
full Organization.
WILSON THE RULER
Putting Into Effect His Theory
of the Way to Make Re
SponSive Government.
WILSON THE RULER

Washington, ID. C.-Waslington
under a democratic administration
presents a study in contrasts. -Four
years ago | was here through the
special session of congress that wres-
tied with tariff revision-and failed.
In that session the democrats were
a negligible quantity. 1t wasn't
merely that they were in the minor
ity and so had no special chance to
do anything. The trouble was that
they were d%isorganized inefficient,
tri1ing. You would have bet your
last dollar hat it would be impossible
to make anything out of them. They
were like a lot irresponsible high
school kids.
A Better Machine Than Cannon's.
Today there is all the difference in
the world. OF course there are many
new faces here. But the present or
ganization in both House and Senate
is built around the old-timers, and it
is an organization. They say the
Cannon machine in its palmest days
wasn't in it with the present demo-
cratic organization in its ability to
control legislation. Only in this
case the commander-in-chief is a
Progressive instead of being a reac-
tionary. That same commander-in-
chief, it is needles to point out, be-
ing one Woodrow Wilson. 1t is as il
Frank Chance had taken the cellar
champion team of the American
League last year and converted it in
to a pennant winner.
The effectiveness of the %organiza-
ton is seen in such n case for in
stance, as that of Senator Simmons,
chairman of the finance committee.
and also the majority leader in the
Senate. -Four years ago Simmons was
known chiefly for his opposition to
reductions in the lumber duty. Later
he developed into a defender of
Senator Aldrich. He is the same
Simmons, but he is in charge of
this Tariff Revision Bill. He was
told to perform and he is performing.
Squeiching the Pussy Members.
A few days ago a member OF the
House got fussy because one of his
bills wasn't referred to the right
committee. 1t was sent to a com
mittee which buried 1t. The indig-
nant member got storming around
and proposed an inquiry to find out
how many bills had been wrongly re-
ferred. Shortly afterward he met
Mr.. Underwood, the House leader.
II hear you are going to try to
have an inquiry made about bills that
have been sem to certain commit
tees" said Underwood.
you bet I am" retorted the in
dignant member.
We'll, take my advice" came back
the suave ~Alabamaian, land don't.
You will only make trouble for your
self"
He didn't.
III you will go to the public library
and inquire for a little volume writ
ten by a certain Professor Wilson and
printed about 1885, you will get a
hint as to the nswer That book,
entitled Congressional Government
is a study for the American system.
The professor finds that our system
Is deficient in it's lack of responsible
government. That is, each
sional committee. he points out, is a
little congress by itself. 1t is quite
evident that he prefers some scheme
like that in England in which the
prime minister is the responsible
head of the government. Now he is
putting his theory into practice. The
President regards himself as the
head of the government.
Wilson u Real Leader.
President Taft used to say, 81 am
the titular leader OF my party
President Wilson hasn't said any
thing yet, but if he should repeat
the Taft statement he would leave
out the "titular." He is the real
leader of his party and his party is
doing exactly what he says
Possibly the astute Mr.. Underwood
would have preferred to do the lead
ing in congress, but If he had such
aspirations he quickly saw their fulfil
ity. Wilson had the House with him
because he had the country with him.
So Mr.. Underwood instead OF fighting
the President, joined him and be-
came his chief lieutenant. Between
them they are invincible. In the
Senate, the Presidents power was
such that he could take the unregen-
crate Senator Simmons and bring
him to the mourner's bench. Now,
as has been intimated, Mr.. Sim
mons is one of. our most faithful lit
tie workers in the Lords vine
yard.
1t is recalled that ON a famous oc-
casion the democratic party Went
back on it's precedent and acquired
the Louisiana Territory, simply be-
cause it had the responsibility of the
government, which is Il great devel-
loper of hidden abilities. The demo-
cratic members of congress who were
looked on as particularly impossible
four years ago are showing a similar
growth under the pressure of respon-
sibility.
Can it Last?
Will it last? Wilson Will get his
tariff bill and he will get his cur
rency bill. The insurgents are cow
ed. They dare not speak above a
whisper. He hasn't made any APP
pointments to speak of, so he still
has the patronage as a persuader.
But will they get FESTIVE and revolt
after they have got their appoint
ments? There is still the remem
brance of how they shut themselves
out of office sixteen years by break
ing with Cleveland. That is going
to prove a restraining force.
But so early in the cams as this it
would never do to to go to the pawn