The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1914-09-10
WASHINGTON LETTER.
(By ]. K. DOugherty.

Washington, D. c., Sept. 7-Specitl
respondence-A perce p t
change in political sentiment inWash-
ington has been brought about within
the last ten days. The country's
verdict of approval of the course fol-
lowed by President Wilson and his
administration in handling the grave
crisis brought on by the war has
reached the Capital. The feeling of
confidence inspired throughout the
country by the administration S
course has silenced critics, jingOes
and calamity howlers.
Boasts of Republican leaders that
they will capture the next house
have ceased. Instead, many members
who felt secure in their districts
view the rising tide of Democratic
popularity with distrust, realizing
that it forecasts their retirement.
That this widespread feeling of
confidence in President Wilson and
his administration forecasts large
Democratic gains in the November
elections is the general feeling of po-
litical observers in Washington. Its
effect is expected to be greatest in
the congressional elections. Wash
ington reasons it out in this wise:
President Wilson, Secretary Bryan,
Secretary McAdoo and the other adj
ministratiOn advisers were able to
put the measures in force which met
the diplomatic and financial crises
arising since the administration went
into power by the fact that the Demo-
cratic President had majority in
the Senate and House behind him.
WithouC this majority it would have
been impossible to pass the tariff and
currency legislation which stabilized
the country's fiscal policies and
strengthened the financial structure
to withstand the shock which was put
upon it. Without this majority in
Congress it would have been impos-
sible for the administration to main
tain the policy which avoided en-
tanglements in Mexico, and which,
if forced upon us at the time would
have almost certainly embroiled us
in the world war that followed.
AS Washington interprets this sit
uatiOn from the present evidences OF
the country's unstinted approval OF
the administrations course, the SEN
timent that will find expression in
November is that President Wilson'S
hands should be upheld. He will
have earned vote of approval, and
such vote of approval can only be
given by supporting men who will
uphold his policies.
In the contest for the United States
senatorships this feeling SO manifest
in the country is expected to find it's
fullest expression. The Democratic
margin of control in the Senate is
slight, so slight that most of the adj
ministration policies which now meet
such popular approval we're carried
in the Senate with slight majorities.
The candidacy of Congressman
Maurice Connolly for the United
states Senate in Iowa and of Con-
gresham A. Mitchell Palmer for the
senate in Pennsylvania, two candi-
dacies in which administration
leaders have shown the greatest in
terest, are considered to have gained
greatly in strength from this new
turn of political sentiment. Con-
molly is opposing Senator Cummins
of the so-called progressive wing of
the Republican party; Palmer is OPP
posing Boies PenrOse, leader of the
standpatters, and Cummins and Pen
rose have been found allied in strong
est opposition to the President and
his policies and standing together in
voting against the progressive meas
ures enacted by the Democratic adj
ministration. Washington believes
it will be brought home to the voters
that the only way to express approval
OF the course steered by President
Wilson in preventing at home the
financial crash that has come to Eu-
ropean nations, and Of avoiding In
ternational complications is to vote
for Democratic member Of Com
gress. The President 10 not q candi-
date this fall, but he will be Pres-
dent during the life Of the Congrees
70 10 elected IN November, And
witheat the help Of Democratic
- Aa cam t eonplete Ia
Merk Gun. No
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