The Washington times., 1914-11-05
INSURGENCY FEARED
IN NEXT CONGRESS
Democratic Margin So Small
That Leaders May See
Orders Questioned.
Continued from First Page.)


But there can be no question the Demo
cratic leaders have been surprised and
shocked by the returns.
Things have not turned out as they
expected. They expected to have their
majority in the House shrink, but not
AS largely as il has. They expected
no such Republican tidal wave as rolled
over them in New York. in parts of
New England. in New Jersey, in Ohio,
o. in Pennsylvania. They expected TO
pull Roger c. Sullivan through in ILL.,
nois. In fact, it is recalled that a few
days before the election men closest to
the Administration enthusiastically pre-
dicted that the voting Of Tuesday would
result in a Democratic sweep of the
country.
Under the circumstances, the Repub-
hcan shouts of victory have the ring
OF much deeper sincerity that that of
the Democrats
The collapse of the Progressive vote
together with the fact that there seems
no immediate prospect of that vote be-
Ing rehabilitated. is giving the Demo-
Gratis much concern.
The Republican leaders point to the
fact that IL they go into the 1916 cam
paign with the electoral votes OF New
York. New Jersey. Pennsylvania. Ohio.
and Illinois fairly we'll assured them in
advance, as they have the right to as
sumo on the basis of the returns from
Tuesdays elections, they will be in good
shape to win.
On the other hand less sanguine Re-
publican leaders point out that. unless
the party pursues wise and progress
Sive policy in Congress the next two
years, il will easily be possible to throw
away everything that this year has
been gained.
ANY successful attempt to out the
Republican party in Congress back un-
der the domination Of hard and fast
reactionaries like Uncle Joe" Cannon,
Penrose. and the like, will unouestion-
ably prove ruinous to the hopes of the
party in 1916. 1t will be possible for the
party to make progress only by listen
ing to the counseis of men in the party
who are forward looking and progress
sve.
The results of the elections are suf-
ficient proof Of widespread dissatisfac-
ton with Democratic policies. The dis
like of the Democratic tariff law and Of
the war tax cut much figure. Undoubt-
edly the European war and President
Wilson's personal strength have saved
the Democrats from loss of control of
the House.
Shifting the Blame.
Some of the Democrats are trying now
Leader Underwood because he forced
through the House a resolution which
compelled them to stay in Washington
until the session ended or lose their
pay. This kept them from making cam
paigns in their districts. However, this
is hardly a fair criticism. since it kept
Republican candidates in large numbers
from their districts. just as it did
Democrats Moreover Underwood
would gladly have seen the session end
sooner than II did. As a matter Of fact,
IL was the White House rather than
Underwood that kept Congress so long
in Washington.
One of the interesting phases of the
situation as il will exist after March
next Is that the Tammany Demo
Gratis, led by Congressman Fitzgerald,
are Bkely TO be in position to dictate
what the House Democrats shall do.
II the House is as close as present
figures show, they will have the bal
ance of power.
Presidential Talk Rife.
Presidential talk for 1916 is rife
Nobody is yet guessing what Colonel
Roosevelt will do. He will have some
thing more TO say in due time. Presi-
dent Wilson will be renominated by the
Democrats and already the campaign
for fS16 is being planned.
The Republicans have a number of
possibilities but the eyes of all the
politicians here are scanning Whitman,
OF New York. carefully. This young
man. IL he handles himself well In the
governorship, stands a good show Of
getting the Republican nomination.
Others who will be COZ sidered are Sem
ators Borah, Cummins Norris, Cover
nor-elect Willis OF Ohio, James r
Mann. and several more.