The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-11-10
Neither Major Party Has Ma
jOrity in the House.
Must Gain Support of Five In
dependent Votes.
OVERCOME DEMOCRAT LEAD
Now Stands Republicans 216,
Democrats PA in House.
But Administration Has Clean
Majority in Senate.

New York Nov. 1O.-The balance OF
power in the next congress will actual
ly rest with five representatives with
Independent affiliations, so far as the
Democrats and Republicans are con-
cerned, on the face of returns available
this afternoon.
The Republicans made such gains in
the election Tuesday that the Demo-
cratic majority in congress is cut to
the point where even the speakership
might be affected. Present returns in
dictate the Republicans will have two
more representatives than the Demo-
Gratis. The success or failure of 1egis-
lation that is proposed will therefore
result with the votes of a Socialist, a
Prohibitionist with Democratic lean
ings, a Protectionist and Independent
and a Progressive.
First Woman Congressman.
In addition a woman will sit in con-
gress for the first time in history. She
is Miss Jeanette Rankin, of Montana,
who on latest returns, is apparently
elected.
Following is the next house lineup
on returns gathered by the United
Press up to noon today:
Republicans, ZIG; Democrats, PA;
Independents, 5.
Democrats, 229; Republicans, 1877;
Progressives, 6; Independent, 1; So
cialist, 1.
A majority in the house is 21S 1t
takes that many votes, therefore, to
elect a speaker, or to enact legislation.
Either big party, therefore, must get
the good will of those five men who
are aligned with smaller parties be-
fore it can do business in it's own way.
And. incidentally, these five independ-
ents will be more question marks than
will the first woman in the world, .
to be seated at Washington. Miss
Rankin was chosen on a Republican
ticket, but Democrats point out that
shes a woman, nevertheless
The "Balkan'' Quintette.
T. The five men who, on present ap-
Enearances, will be the balance of pow
kefsor the Balkans of the house." as
ffftSas termed here today, are:
CHI Randall. Prohibitionist, Cali
fornia; w. P. Martin, Protectionitt
Louisiana; Meyer London, Socialist
New York; Thomas v. Schan, Pro-
gressive, Minnesota; A. J. Fuller, In
dependent, Massachusetts.
Randall has had a rather hybrid
political career. He has been a, Re-
publican. Progressive and a Democrat.
He ran on a Prohibition ticket Tues
! day with the Democratic endorsement.
| Martin is the first man not a Dem
ocrat to be elected in Louisiana in
| twenty-five years. He is described as
being basically a Democrat, with a
strong dash of protection.
| Meyer London had a bitter fight and
was reelected by less than 200 votes.
He has so far consistently kept away
from any hint of favoritism toward
either Republicans or Democrats.
| Schall is an "unreconstructed rebel -
as the dyed-in-the-wool, refuse-to- die
| Progressives call themselves. He can
be counted on to favor only the party
that puts up what he thinks is the
most progressive legislation and the
best man for speaker.
Fuller is said to have grown his In
dependent faith from the political
emanations of former Democratic
Governor Foss of Massachusetts, who
has frequently hoped back and forth
from Republican to Democratic sides.
Many Notables to Return.
Uncle Joe Cannon, the Danville,
Ill, sage of the long cigars, good
stories, parlor and otherwise, will be
on hand as usual Republican Leader
Mann vanquished his Democratic op-
ponent Nick Longworth, of Ohio,
son-in-law of Colonel Roosevelt,
triumphed.
Speaker Champ Clark and Claude
Kitchin have been returned. The
bobbing Adams apple of Cyclone"
Davis of Texas, will not return Davis
was eliminated in the primaries Clyde
Tavenner of Illinois, associated with
! Henry Ford in the campaign against
military preparedness is behind in his
district.