New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-04
An Unfit Leader

given the certificate OF election 70 MI
Scullv. the Democratic candidate. 1t is
spparent now that the Republican mem
bership of the next House Of Representa-
tives will not be able TO organize that BODY
without fusing with the small group OF
INDEPENDENTS which holds the balance OF
power. We take it that no Republican
whom a party caucus would nominate IN
der ordinary conditions can be elected
Speaker when the new Congress meets.
There is little TO grieve over in situs-
ton which will preclude the election as
Sneaker of James R. Mann. Mr.. Mann
has been minority leader for the last six
wears. and would naturally be the choice
of his party for the Speakership were
there a working Republican majority.
He is an expert parliamentarian- de IS
an admirable Watch Dog of the Treasury
No other member of the House occupies
himself SC closely as Mr.. Mann does with
the minutie Of legislation. But his in
tense application to details seems to have
crarped and narrowed his point of view.
He lacks the vision and prescience OF
real leader. His leadership has failed dis
astrouslv on many occasions because ne
has talked first and measured the effect OF
his words afterward. He has been the
victim, Of rash impulses. He has gwen
bastv expression to his own ''stand-pat'
opinions. instead of feeling carefully ahead
and TRYING to reflect the broad trend OF
marty sentiment. Many times in the last
six wears Mr.. Mann has led, but large
nercentage Of the Republican membership
Of the House has refused TO follow HIM.
His recent blanket Endorsement of Pres
ident Wilson's peace note pointedly Illus
trates his failings as party leader. Many
undoubtedly a majority-of his Repuo-
1ican colleagues now deplore his indiscre-
tion IN saving: 81 believe the whole people
Of this country warmly congratulate and
commend the President in every effort he.
has made or may make to restore peace IN
the world
When Mr.. Mann gave out that sweeping
opinion nobody knew exactly what the
Presidents peace note meant. 1t had
caused great confusion in the public mind.
An explanation, greatly at variance with
its apparent meaning, was hurrledly put
forth by Secretary Lansing. Then that
exclamation was dramatically recalled and
supplementary, retroactive explanation
was issued.
There are limitations in the note-em-
nhasized by Mr.. Lansing's first official in
fermentation of it-that the Administra-
ton is planning to abandon the historic
principle of American non-interventon IN
the affairs Of Europe, and consequently
IN denature the Monroe Doctrine. Yet
without soberlv considering these large
questions of American policy-on which
there must be strong differences of opinion
among Republicans and among all classes
If Americans--Mr. Mann committed him
self in advance to that unnecessary in
6orsemept of the Administrations pro
gramme by Congress which President Will
son is now seeking.
In speaking so impulsively for himself
Mr.. Mann embarrassed his party in the
House and in the Senate. The Republi-
cans in Congress need leaders Of diff
ferent type-leaders who can be trusted
not TO forget that for what they say they
viii be held responsible not only as indi-
viduals but also as party spokesman.
MANY Republicans are also recalling Mr..
Mann's attitude last winter at the time the
McIemore resolution was tabled. The
Tribune believes that the Republicans in
h the House who followed Mr.. Mann on that
d occasion were justified in refusing TO APP
prove the hippodroming performance
staged by the Democratic managers.
President Wilson had asked the House to
vote directly on the issue raised in the Nc
Lemore resolution--whether or not Ameri-
can citizens should be warned by our gov
eminent against taking passage on bel
Hgersnt merchant ships, unsrmed except
for defence.
The House leaders we're unwilling TO
allow that question 10 be voted on directly
They squirmed out of an unpleasant politi-
cal predicament by going through the
farce Of taking the McLemore resolution
out Of one parliamentary funeral vault
and recommntting it Immediately TO an
other.
There should have been no division in
the Republican ranks as to the humbug
and cowardice Of this maneuvre. Yet Mr..
Mann failed utterly to unite the party in
onnosition to il because many Republicans
distrusted his motives as well as his
strategy. They knew that he sympa-
tbized with the purpose of the McLemore
resolution and were reluctant to be con-
nected with movement TO force direct dis
cYssion of the resolution and to Kill 1t
openly, after free discussion instead OF
liuinp it through parliamentary evasion.
Mr.. Mann is not now and never has
'- and pro-