The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1916-09-01
BY ARTHUR w. DUNN.

BY ARTHUR w. DUNN.
Washington, Sept. 1.-[Special. AL
ways the party In power has TO face
the question of party control and party
discipline. How far can the caucus
control individuals and shall the eau
Gus be the final arbiter of what mem
bers OF a party shall do are the ques-
lions that come to every party in con
troll OF the government.
During Roosevelt's time the caucus
did not figure very much in the settle
men Of disputes. In fact there was
not much OF a partisan nature in dis
pute before congress In his admins
tration. Mr.. Taft had partisan ques-
tons from very beginning because of
tariff revision. During the Wilson ad-
mlnistration nearly all legislation has
been OF a partisan nature, or at least
1t has been put through by party or
ganization, by caucu decree and the
insistence OF the president that mem
bers OF the team shall play with the
team or get off.
Democratic Troubles.
The Democrats have had the same
trouble which overlook the Republic
ans In the Taft administration. but
with this difference-the Democratic
insurgents are not so persistent and
determined as were the Republican in
surgents.
The Democrats encountered difficult
ties over the shipping bill and 1t was
defeated by insurgency in the last CON
gress. Then 1t was fixed up SO as to
get a solid Democratic vote. Nothing
like that was attempted during the
tariff fight In 1909 by the Republicans.
The recent division between the
Democrats over the immigration bin
Is not or very much consequence.
Furnishes Entertainment.
One feature OF these disagreements
not to be overlooked is the entertain
ment they furnish. Nothing is quite
so much relished as a red hot lecture
or Democrats by Senator Stone of Mis-
souri, and the tart rejoinders by such
men as Hardwick of Georgia and
Nardaman of Mississippi. These Dem
ocratic senators do not mince words
when they discuss party differences.
How They Would Do II.
Advocating the acquisition of the
Danish West Indies, Senator Phelan
or California thought that Germany
might take possession If the United
States did not.
VIII he senator tell me how un-
der the Monroe doctrine Germany or
any other power can take possession
OF those islands," asked Borah of
Idaho.
Simply by the same means as they
have taken possession Of Alsace and
other countries in Europe" was Pie
lan's reply.
Williams Bad Day.
There had been a day OF tariff talk
in the senate, and John Sharp VII
hams took the floor. This has been
an amusing day for the public" said
he, but 1t has been a tragic day for
me. | have been here all day long.
hoping to consider and explain the
features of the revenue bill under my
charge, but l had had TO listen TO
that great economist (Penrose), that
great political purist (SmooD and also
to hear my friend Curtis, do what?
Make political speeches. The dog days
are upon us. Political speeches make
the dog days hard to endure. And
what is ii all about? Simply that the
outs are seeking a raft TO ioat ashore
TO GUST the ms"
Can They Read Them7
1t is really quite a serious question
whether the people between now aud
election can read all the political
speeches that have beer made for their
enlightenment during the present SEES
sion OF congress. The poor old Record
has groaned under the burden of
words which has been fired into 1t and
all for political use. Fortunately all
the people will not receive all the
speeches which have been made. but
they will get more than enough.
Not ar AlIuring Prospect.
AS soon as the nominations are made
In the southern states the campaign is
over. and so the senators and mem
bers who are up for reelection have
no concern as to themselves But
these men are drafted for work In the
north and west. 1t is not an alluring
prospect. They would much prefer to
spend the time between now and the
next session I'm their own way and not
be compelled to travel about the coun-
try and make SnAachaS