The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1916-04-27
THE SENATORIAL ELECTIONS.

THE SENATORIAL ELECTIONS.
These days one often hears the
statement that the entire country will
90 Republican this fall. Most of these
are mere statements expressing the
individual desires of the person MAX
ing them. Deep students of the polit-
ical situation do not, however, make
such sweeping deductions, for such
are not borne out by an exhaustive
review of the actual conditions. Out
side of the presidential possibility of
Wilson retaining his seat, and the
uncertainty of the issue at this time,
one has to take look at the large
majority in the lower house 1t would
seem at this time as if a landslide
must take place, if the republicans
carry that branch of Congress. There
is no evidence of any landslide at
present. 1t may happen, and we hope
it will happen, but if it does the re-
publican party must put up a strong,
aggressive fight, until the last min
ute. At present, with prices on every
thing soaring from the impetus of de.
mand caused by war, the tariff will
generally be lost sight OF, tho the ,
stopping of the war would at once
make it vital issue, and perhaps a
triumphant one for the republicans. !
But granted that these both may come
to pass, take a look at the complex
ion of the Senate, for moment. This
is the body that finally settles all
grave and important matters. They |
have the last say on all matters of ap-
preparations, the tariff, and the con-
frmation of appointments. This body
is composed at present of So men,
bers, and the democrats have at pres
ent majority of 16, not large num-
Der to change, at first sight. One
man says nine senators defeated
would do the trick. Is this borne out
by the facts. Let us see. Only one
third of the present Senators are re-
tired each two years, to be exact, 81
retire this year with one democrat,
making 80, which leaves GO Senators
undisturbed. Therefore these seats
will not change. Of the 33 to be elect
ed, 16 seats are now held by Republl-
cans and II by Democrats. This
leaves at present the 60 remaining
divided as follows, Demo-
Gratis 80 and Republicans "a, or ma
jority in the Democratic favor of 10,
prior to election. Of the II seats now
held by the Democrats, there are va
cancies in Arizona, Florida, Indiana
(Sen. Kern, Maryland, Mississippi,
Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New
Jersey (Martine), Nevada, Tennessee,
Virginia, West Virginia, which are
Democratic states, counted upon as
absolutely safe by the Democrats and
are so conceded, in the majority of
cases, by prominent Republicans all
over the United States. Of the bal
ance of the II states, the following
now held by Democrats are considered
as doubtful, and may be carried by
Indiana /, (vacancy
caused by death of Senator Shively), II
Maine, New York (OGorman), Texas
(on account of dissatisfaction, with
the Presidents Mexican policy, MAX
ing four in all, and if the Republicans
carry these four and in addition the
sixteen they hold at present-and
which seems likely-the 33 Senators
to be elected this fall would be divided
as follows, Republicans 20, Democrats
10, or gain of Republicans, and the
final standing Of the Senate would be.
Democrats 50, Republicans IA, or a
clear majority of 8 for the Democrats,
so that he who says that change of
nine Senators will give a Republican
majority, had better revise his figures.
1t surely does look as if the Demo-
Gratis will be able to hold firm grip
on the Senate, in any event, no mat
ter how the President or Congress
fight does, unless landslide develops,
Of which there is no apparent sign at
present. 1t looks to US as if all Re-
publicans should get busy and not loaf
on the job this election year, if things
are to be changed. Of course, as we
said before, perhaps the issue is not
yet born that will decide the elections
this fall, and in the present age, and
especially at this time, with the for
eign situation SO unsettled, events
move quickly, and conditions change
over night, so who can tell what will
happen? Moreover, party ties are
still visibly weakening, and the per-
of the candidates is likely to
work much more heavily than the
party label. Partisanship cuts even
less than the usual figure, in the is
sues that are crowding to the fore
these days, II
r