New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-01
THE YEAR AT HOME.


bower of the Democratic party. For
the second time since 1886 the voters
put that party in complete control OF
the federal government. The recaA
was not. however, the work of a ma
iority OF the electorate. The Demo
cratic victory of 1912 was not even AZ
decisive as the victory Of 1872, when
the Democratic popular vote was 5.oo4,-
Ala. against a total of 6.217,411 for the
Republican and Popullst tickets. In
1912 Mr.. Wilson's, popular vote was
6.3O3.O63, against n total of I,GOS.O93
for the Republican and Progressive
candidates.
The second attempt since the war or
the Democratic party TO govern the
country will represent even more dis
tinctly than did the first an accidental
victory for the minority over divided
opposition. In 1892 the POpulist party
in the Western States played openly
into Democratic hands by forming CO.
alit,Ons on electors. This year the Pro-
gressive party. though not combining
with the Democratic, gave similar aid
and comfort by drawing away RepuD-
lican strength.
The sweeping defeat of the Repub-
lican party would have vast historical
significance if it could be taken TO
presage the permanent effacement OF
one of the most famous and successful
OF American political organizations. 1t
cannot be so taken. however. because
the Progressive secession Of last year
WAS occasioned not so much by radical
differences among the rank and file or
Repubicans as by antagonisms between
leaders and the play of the personal
ambitions and popularity of a single
man. Except on the Presidency, which
had become involved in tangle Of per-
sonal issues. the Republican party re-
manned fairly united. Republican Gov
ernors were elected i'm Maine, New
hampshire, Rhode Island, Delaware,
Vest Virginia Wisconsin. Iowa. Ten
ucssee. North Dakota and Idaho
sfates which Wilson carried-and I'm
South Dakota and MinnesOta-sta
which Roosevelt carried Republican
state tickets below Governor were
chosen in Oregon, Kansas and Massa-
chuSettS. carried by Wilson. and in
PENNSYLVANIA. Michigan and Wash
ington. carried by Roosevelt. For
local candidates the Republican vote of
1912 ran probably 100000 ahead Of
the Presidential vote and put the party
second. not third. I'm rank in the ma
ton. That ii will be far stronger two
years hence Is forcibly suggested by
American experience with parties or
ganized on the basis Of personality and
impulse.
Two new states were added to the
Union in 1912-New Mexico and Ari-
IONA. The former was admitted IN
January and the latter on February
Il. Arizona's entrance leaving no area
under the territorial form Of govern
ment In what IS now classified as con
tinental United States.
The long session Of the 62d Congress
was notable for q deadlock between
Congress and the President on many
measures Of legislation. The purpose
OF the majority in the House of Repre-
sentatives 10 play politics with the tar
If was again demonstrated. The House
refused to make an honest effort to re-
duce duties along the line Of the recon-
mendations OF the Tariff Board and
thus obtain the Presidents co-opera-
ton in undermining the tariff. 1t
passed bills of its own, prepared In the
dark and intended either to fail in the
Senate or to be vetoed. The President
disapproved two tariff bills-the wool
schedule and the metal schedule revi-
sions-and three others were left pig
eonholed in conference committee. Mr..
Taft was also obliged 10 veto the army
appropriation bill once and the legis-
lative. executive and judicial appropri-
alton bill twice before Objectionable
legislation was stricken ont. The Sen
ate added TO the failures of the session
by amending the general arbitration
treaties with Great Britain and France
i'm such a manner as TO deter the Pres
ident from resubmitting them for the
sanction of the British and French gov
ernments.
Congress accomplished few things
of Importance incidentally. An amend
ment to the Constitution providing for
the direct election Of United States
Senators was submitted to the states.
IN enlargement Of the parcel post SER
vice, effective on January l, 1913. was
authorized the government Of the Pan
anna Canal Zone was recognized and
traffic through the canal was regulated,
the exemption Of American coastwise
shipping from tolls drawing forth Il
protest from Great Britain; an army
reserve was created and several of the
army staff corps were consolidated; he
federal eight-hour law was extended,
and acting under the spur Of the II
tanic disaster, Congress passed laws
regulating radio communication and
the radio equipment on steamers nd
insuring greater safety at sea. The