The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1916-11-16
LATEST RETURNS INDICATE
SMALL PLURALITY OVER DEM
oCRATS-coNTEsTS MAY
CHANGE LINEUP.
MANN, PRESENT MINORITY
LEADER, OUT FOR SPEAKER
New Senate VIII Be Democratic by
Safe Working Marqin-leadsrs TO
Rush Legislative Program Be-
fore Sixty-fourth Con-
gress Ends.

Washington, Nov. 1.-THE Repub-
licans will have 2l7 votes in the next
Congress, according to the latest re-
turns available.
This is an increase Of one in the
total Republican membership previ-
ously reported. The change is based
on reports from the sixth New Jersey
district showing the election of John
H. Ramsey, Republican, by a plurality
of about 1900 owe Robert Heath,
Democrat.
Democrats Have 212 Votes.
1t does not take into account a prob
able contest in the tenth North Caro-
lima district; the third New Jersey dis
tFict where Thomas j.. Scully, Demo-
crat, claims to have been elected by
a plurality of IA votes or the eleventh
Iowa or third Louisiana districts
where the pluralities are so small that
recounts are considered possible.
The election of Mr.. Ramsey from
New Jersey and the consequent loss
Of one Democrat from that state leaves
the Democratic membership of the
House at PIP, as indicated by returns
thus far received. All other parties
have elected six members. According
to present figures, the Republicans fall
n short of the 21S votes necessary
for a working majority.
No Certain Working Majority.
On the face of the unofficial returns
the political division Of the House is
so close that an effective and certain
working majority does not exist. In
view of the situation it is regarded by
Democratic leaders as improbable that
President Wilson will call an extra
session Of the new Congress next
spring. In that case the organization
fight will not ONE until the regular
session In December, 1917, which will
mean maneuvering for more than a
year in the contest for speakership
AS matters stand today, the candi-
date Of the Republicans for speaker
will be James R. Mann, present minor
ity leader. Speaker Clark generally
Is regarded as the Democratic choice
to succeed himself. Already, how
ever, there are rumblings of uncer.
taintfes because of the close political
division.
Clark May Not Run.
Some interesting and lively party
conferences OF both sides before n
organization tickets are finally launch
ed, is assured. AS the Democrats ap-
parently will be in the minority, some
friends Of Champ Clark are not Ger.
tain he will be a candidate 10 sue
coed himself. Unless he can be elect.
ed speaker they prefer that he aban.
don the race and become a candidate
for minority leader, the post he held
for many years before the Democratic
ascendency in 1912. Such a develop
ment might p~recipitate a lively con-
test within the Democratic ranks with
Claud kitchin, the present majority
leader, and Speaker Clark as rival
candidates for the minority leader
ship.
Soldier Vote May Change Figures.
The congressional result in New
Mexico is doubtful, the chances now
~favoring the Democrats. In Pennsyl-
vania there are two districts and Dos
sibly three where the soldier vote,
when counted, may change the results.
In two of these Republicans, and in
one a Democrat, have been elected by
small majorities on the face of the
returns thus far reported. In the
Tenth North Carolina district, Britt, a
Republican, is claiming the election
over Weaver. Democrat, by 10 majori-
ity.
Whatever happens. Republicans can.
not control legislation in the next
Congress because the new senate will
be Democratic by a safe working ma
jority of II. In this situation little
partisan legislation can be looked for
during the first part of the new VIII
son administration. Because of this
administration leaders will exert every
possible effort to complete the Demo.
cratic legislative program before
March I next, when the S%ixty-fourth
Congress will end.
Wilson Wins Washinoton bv 11.oo0-