Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1915-11-19
PARTY LINES CLOSE
IN NEXT CONGRESS
OBSERVERS LOOK FOR MORE IN
DEPENDENT ACTION DURING
COMING SESSION.

Students of legislation, forecasting
the acts of congress in the session
which starts Monday, December g.,
look upon the Democratic majority
of 25, smaller than the previous ses-
sion, and the split-up delegations as
two factors which indicate that more
than ever will careful preparation
and closer consideration of all meas
ures be given by individual members
and committees, says dispatch from
the national capital.
The membership of the house of
representatives is so divided politi-
cally that it seems probable to OBJ
servers that party whips cannot be
used so vigorously and that greater
play will be given the independent
action of individual representatives
than has been the case in recent ses-
sions. The Democrats will have a
working majority of only 25, accord
ing to complete figures furnished by
the clerk, which include the results
of the recent congressional elections.
Last year the Democrats had nearly
$50.
How Parties Line Tn.
The party alignment of the new
house will be as follows: Democrats
$50, Republicans 1876, Progressive Z,
Independent 1, Socialist 1. The Re-
publicans gained and the Democrats
lost one seat in the recent elections
to fill vacancies. House leaders are
pointing out that, with solid opposi-
ton. the detection of 10 Democrats
would defeat any party measure in
the coming house.
1t is considered remarkable that
more than three-quarters of the del
egations in the coming session will
contain new members. No fewer
than Ill new faces will appear at
the bar to be sworn in. In addition
there will be 10 members who did
not serve in the last congress, but
who have had prior congressional ex-
perience.
Another fact in connection with
the new house is that the close ma
jority will make necessary a re-
of the membership of
the committees in that body. In the
last congress the Democrats had two
thirds of the committeeships, but now
with the close majority and with al
reapportionment, the Democrats prob
ably will not have more than one and
possibly two over the Republicans onl
any of the important committees.
Two Solid Delegations.
Probably no congress in recent
years has had as few solid delega-
lions. The only delegations of that
character are those of Alabama, Ari-
ona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia,
Idaho, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada,
New Mexico. New Hampshire, North
Dakota, Oregon, South Carolina,
Texas, Vermont and Wyoming. or
these states seven belong to the So
called "solid SOUTH"
1t is for these reasons that those
reviewing the outlook for the coming
session expect to see more evidences
of independent action and less of
party rule. They believe that work
in the several committees and In the
house will become far more severe
test of individual information, knowl-
edge and ability than has been the
case for many years. 1t is consid-
cred that the policies of the admin
istration to be placed before this SEES
sion will be given consideration more
nearly non-partisan, not so much be-
cause the president requests 1t as
because the increase of the individ-
ual responsibility of the members
will demand 1t.