The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-03-02
BITTER POLITICAL
FIGHT PROMISED
Central Figures Will Be Martin,
Bryan, Kern and
Simmons.
PRoGREssIvEs IN SADDLE
Battle Will Be Fought for Or
ganization and Com
mittcc Powers.
aY p. IL. MCGOWAN.

az r. IT. MCGOWAN.
Washington. March las soon as
the friends OF Senator Thomas S. Mar
tin had time TO get their bearings to-
day after the sudden determination
yesterday on the part OF tho Virginia
Senator not to allow his name to be
presented before the caucus OF the
Democrats for caucus chairman. they
realized that one or the hottest and
most interesting political lights in
years was ON, with Senator'S Martin.
Kern and Simmons and William ].
Bryan as the principal participants.
/ To-day's developments showed very
! clearly that William j. Bryan means,
4 II possible, through his friend and run
! ming mate on the presidential tick ct
| OF four years ago-Senator Kern-to
! force his hand IN the Senate whether
! ne goes into the Cabinet or not This
/ fact has struck the minds of many per
sons io-da!. and Senator Martins
friends are lining up 20 stand by him.
IT also developed that Senator Sim
I mons in all probability will be forced
TO make good his election state
| ment that IL he should not be made
chairman OF tho powerful Committee
Oh Finance he would resign his seat In
the Senate and return to his homo IN
| North Carolina.
Breach OF Faith Alleged.
That there has been q breach of faith
on the part OF some OF those who de-
clarcd that they would stand hy Scna-
tor Martin mas also been one OF tho
developments OF the day, and it is
quite certain that had all those who
promised the Virginan their support
Ii
in the lead for recollection to the posi-
ton which he now holds, but for which
he VIII not again ask, instead OF hav-
ing had to give way To a man who has
been in the Senate only since January,
1911, while ne himself has been in
! congressional harness since $3.50
| difference OF eighteen years.
That the fight will begin in earnest
with the holding OF the next caucus
on March ). which Senator Martin
called to-day, is already practically
settled. not that there will be any
fuss over the selection OF chairman
rs that matter will now determine it,
self into a perfunctory affair. but on
account Of the fact that the entire ma
chnery OF the Senate must be over
hauled, and IL is anticipated that tho
progressive and conservative forces
viii lock horns.
For instance, there must be the Sc
lection of n secretary at salary of
$4,000 year, and other officers all
down the line. 1t is undoubtedly true
that the Kern forces will try TO run
away with these places. and appor-
ton out the good paying positions
among the friends OF that faction But
this Is only one feature. The big cues
ton liz whether or not Yesterdays vic
rory Tor the progressives will force
the men of the other camp-the CON
g sialA
This would be as hard blow as could
| fall upon them, and 1t is a move that
VIII be fought for all IL is worth
When the caucus meets and formally
elects Senator Kern as chairman. the
proGressives will caucus on their own
account and decide what the makeup
OF the committee on committees-or
the steering committeeman be.
VIII BE Law of senate
Whatever this steering committee
snail decide upon ard be ratified by
me progressive element. will be the
law of the Senate so far as the nam.
Ing Of committee members is con.
cerned. and this is now tho hone or
contention. Stripped Of technicaIjtj.s
The situation presented is that the Kern
I men with full contror OF the senate
rial machinery, will decree that SEN
ators Bacon. Tillman, Simmons. Mar
TN ana Bankhead, the real old timers
back seat-that the powerful commit
tee places, which would have gone 10
'hem. VIII so TO the Kern element
and mat the old guard will have 10
pe sausned with what it can get under
the new regime. Although II is true
mat Tor the sake OF party harmony
there may be conce ssions on the nart
of progressives toward the othar sida
there is no flag of truce vet being
waved or anywhere in sight
IT is possible that to obtain tina de-
sireo result and to make the Wilson
administration in the Senate a success.
potn factions may get together and
agree TO advance the present rank
ing democrats to chairmanships. but
II 'nis Is done it will be with the un-
derstandinE that it is only for party
peace that such concessions are made
and for no other reason.
with the progressive element firm
~ In tho saddle. IT is up to tho old
guard 10 quietly and without protest
to accept gracefully what IL can get.
Any other course-open revolt at the
new order OF things. for instance, and
a show OF displeasure-would only
make the progressives more than ever
determined TO show fight and to make
their present victory moro apparent
than It now Is.
May Make Statement.
/ While neither Senator Martin nor his
! friends In Congress would discuss the
matter in any shape to-day II Is hint
cd that the Virginia Senator may have
| something interesting to say on the
situation within the next day or two.
! lie cerainly will. it is believed by those
close to him, unless the conservatives
are given what they consider to be a
! fair deal. Although Senator Martin
I has been downed on the first round
docs not mean that he has no fight In
him or that he will be found flying
! the flag OF truce. The drowning ma
is Simmons. lie must secure tho char
manshp OF the powerful Finance Com
.mittee to keep his recollection pledge,
or admit his utter defeat and resign
his commission In the Senate, and II