Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-08-14
DEATH
STUMBLING BLOCK
pEMocRATsoF SENATE WORRIED
ABOUT ABILITY TO PASS
TARIFF BILL.
[BY ELISHA HANSON.1

Washington, D. c., Aug. 12.-The
death OF Senator Johnston of Alabama
on Friday has caused the democratic
senators in charge Of the tariff bill no
little worry. In fact, late Saturday
afternoon it brought overtures from
the democrats to the group OF pro-
gressive republicans headed by Sena'
tor LaFollette. These overtures were
made Immediately after Senator Ken
yon made his speech in which said q
little more protection for the farmers
and q little less for the trusts would
get his vote.
Up to the time of Senator John.
ston's death there were f1fty-one demo
cratic senators, forty-fve republicans
and one bull moose. The latter, Sen
ator Poindexter, may vote for the
Underwood bill. He has not made up
his mind as yet, though.
The detection of the two Louisiana
senators now makes the final vote on
the tariff stand 4S to Al, providing Sen
ator Poindexter and none OF the repub'
lican progressives vote for the Dill.
New Law Embarrasses.
Had the constitutional amendment
providing for the direct election OF
senators not been adopted a few weeks
ago. the governor of Alabama could
have appointed man to serve until
the legislature elected the successor
Of Senator Johnston. Under the new
amendment, however, unless the leg
islatur has empowered the governor
of state to appoint for the interim ne
cannot do so. Senatorial aspirants In
Alamaba do not want a two or three
weeks campaign for the place. They
want time enough to get out and make
canvass. Consequently, even though
he issues writs Of election, 1t is doubt
full il Governor O'Neal can add to the
democratic majority in time for the
passage of the tariff bill.
Senator Kenyon's speech, which was
started late Thursday evening, but
not finally delivered until Saturday
because of Senator Johnston's death
caused profound impression among
the democrats. In fact the 1owan
practically invited them to make 1t
possible for him to vote for their bill
AS Senator Lea Of Tennessee, and
Senator Reed Of Missouri, are among
his close friends and as those sena'
tors Immediately announced that the
position he took regarding. trust con
trolled products was the right one, II
would not be at all surprising to see
the finance committee favor amend
ments which would bring Kenyon over
to their side.
Republicans Disorganlzed.
Senator LaFollette would be glad tc
have a hand in the tariff making and
if he got one of his schemes into the
bill, It is more than likely that he and
the rest Of his followers besides Ken
yon would go over to the democrats
also, as not single one of them will
stand for the leadership Of Senator
Smoot of Utah, who cannot be dis
lodged from the position he has assum
ed over the rghtful leader, Senator
Gallinger of New Hampshire.
These progressives come as rule
from agricultural states and what they
complain most about is the heavy re
duction on the agricultural schedule
| Many Of them admit that relatively the
farmer has had little or no protection
for years, though he has been led tt
believe he has been getting the better
OF it, They dare not. because Of theil
own futures, stand for bill which re
duces this alleged protection all al
,, once, but if they can have one which
leaves a little of It on and at the same
time soaks it to the manufacturers
they'll be right there to vote for 1t. y
May Not Need Aid.
Without doubt, however, before an.
final agreement Is made, the demo
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