The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1914-06-17
WILSON X HAY.

consider legislation long delayed and
triAed with by the republican party.
Of course this act of the President
has yentailed long months of extra
labor on the part of Congressman,
with a consequent melting away OF
salaries in the very expensive capital
city, but be it said to the credit OF
congressman, that they have entered
heartily into the Presidents plans
and except where the President took
issue with his own platform which
he had heartily endorsed in every
detailed, the national Democratic
representatives have stood to him
almost to q man. ..,,.
How wisely the President has &C
ted in taking up needed legislation
Immediately, can be read best in a
prospective of coming political
events. ,.,
Col. Roosevelt has returned from
the jungles o South America, radiant
in all his newspaper glory, whether
bought or otherwise, and bringing an
olive branch to the poor old discon-
ISOLATE elephant, the G. 0. P. The
clear majority that the combined
wings of the republican party would
constitute in all the northern and
most of the western states, looms up
not as a possibility but as a strong
probability. '
If. there is a coalition of the wings
of the Republication party the next
Senate is almost sure to be republic
can and the House will likely be re-
duced to a majority of less than
twenty Such a condition would
block legislation, for though sad to
relate, national Legislation is too
often influence by party lines, "a
Their than public good. 80" 49,.
Suppose then this lewiston, along
the party lines, should obtain be-
ween> the upper and the lower house
the democrats will nevertheless
have until the 18th Of March 1915 to
push through most needed legislation
and with a democratic president and
a democratic house, or, even with a
democratic president, if the worst
should happen democratic legislation
could be repealed, or radical legisla-
ton passed for the two years follow
ing March 4th 1915, which will close
the present term Of President Will
son. This period should not be al
lowed to passawithout some. legisla-
ton giving the former and equitable
basis of credit on his hand.
There is no necessity for lengthy or
cumbersome legislation Of this sub
lject, but some such; well digested and
simple method as that proposed by
Hon. Wyatt Aiken should be taken
up and pas sed before adjournment OF
the present session., The President
land the democratic leaders are COM
mitted to such legislation, and the
people expect it. 1t should ever
be borne in mind that the republican
party is unfriendly to such legisla-
ttion; and granting that MI. Wilson
has made one of the best presidents
tthis country has ever had, and that
the democratic party has fulfilled it's
pledges and to the satisfaction OF
even a majority of the people in so
far a thetihe has allowed; it should
not be forgotten that old party ties
are easily reunited and March 18th
1915 may mark the end of democra-
tic legislation, by the present admin
istration. T.. .3:& " 5iF
There is just one strong contin-
lgency that may save the Democratic
party intact for another four years
| term. Roosevelt is not so much in
terested in Progressive principles as
I.u Roosevelt preferment: Hhe were
mot a more polite man, he might
VERY consistently say s'did the old
French monarch Of the state: TT am
my party" There is a strong prob
ability that condition of the union of
Progressives and Republicans will be
that the "mighty Nimrod" will head
the ranks, and this same "Nimrod"
is tpersona non grata" with the old
conservative party.
Can Roosevelt lay aside his burn
ing desire to personally lead, for that
fof dictator under a leader of his own
choosing, OF will he stake his person
lal ambition to win or lose? If he
ldoes the former, the way is dark be-
fore the democrats, even granting
their splendid work and their unpre-
Icedented honesty of performance.
If he does the latter, the Democrats
will likely be returned to power for
another term, and with a full demon
Istration of the benefits of their work
they may be returned for many
terms. In the meantime, President