The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-01-28
ruEI,1poRrANTL LEGISLATOR.

TUEIAIPOR LEGlSLATOh.
Democratic control OF Congress viz
tually depends upon what four Demo
cratic members of the Delaware Legis-
lature Will do 1t is the irony Of politics
that the smallest state in the Union.
save one. should say whether or not
Democratic policies shall be written
into law Are four men to upset the
will of the 8. 292 us people who elected
Democratic President?
The control of Congress by the
Democrats depends upon their control
of the Senate. The House is com
fortably in their possession, but party
lines in the Senate are now so close
that the result is still in a fog of doubt
Senatorial contests are yet pending
before the Legislatures of Ave States
West Virginia and Wyoming II
Democrat is elected from Delaware.
the Democrats will have majority
of one in the Senate-a very thin
margin. but enough to control 1t Tor
progressive legislation. OF the four
other States, West Virginia will surely
elect a Republican. In the three
Others the Democrats may secure
something through luck or colnbina-
tions. but they are certain of nothing.
In Illinois the balance of power rests
in the hands of the Progressives, but 1t
seems from late Developments there
that an alliance between the two
wings of the Republican party is far
more likely than an agreement between
either wing and the Democrats. The
Democratic outlook in New Hampshire
is hardly more encouraging. In Wyo-
ming a bitter fight has been made on
Senator Warren, Republican, but
nominal majority favors him
Democratic control of the Senate
and, therefore. of Congress virtually
depends upon the Delaware Legisla ture.
The majority of that body is Demo
cratic. but four Democratic members
from Kent have undertaken TO block
I've choice of Willard salisbury, who
was nominated for the senatorship BY
the Democratic caucus and whom all
other Democrats in the Legislature but
the Kentish four support The ooJec-
tions against Mr.. Salisbury are IN
definite and factional. weighing practI-
cany nothing in the scales against the
fact that ne is Endorsed by the Delaware
Democracy. But the four men, fully
conscious of the immense Importance
of the national situation and seemingly
to crafty personal dislike OF factional
am bition. refuse 10 allow the election
of the nominee of the caucus. There are
times when independence and refusal
70 obey the mandate of the caucus may
nc unsuitable. but not so in this case.
If the four Democrats should continue
70 obstruct the will OF the majority so
that a Republican Senator Is elected
and deprive their party of control OF
Congress theirs would be fearful
responsibility. Their case IS the best
argument for the legislative recall that
has vet been presented There - no
method for compelling them 10 come
10 time.
The situation in the Delaware Legs
Iature has a decided moral for the
ncopie OF every State Little interest j.
taken IN the choice Of legislators ia
great proportion Of instances. because
the ,coplc regard him as OF subordinate
Importance 20 other elective officers
who are really - FAR less power m
shaping the progress OF the people
The history Of the nation il nos with
out state Legislatures IN which q few
.rr .t.cr, Iafra-cr the rcoric
Popular indifference in legislative eicc-
tons beects conditions like that IN
Delaware. Thc people should scrutinizc
r....,siat.vo candidates closely before
....... st,.- fa,..r.. st.ors