Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-12-12
With Other Editors
The Last Ditch.


Autocracy in the senate is fearing some severe
jolts.
In fact anything having an autocratic leaning is
apt to be hunting for place to light
The world war has started great crusade against
autocrats-no matter whether they are occupying
places thrones or occupying seats in delfberatve
bodies.
The senate big four" has not been noted recent
ly for any humble democracy. Penrose and Lodge
and smoot"and Warren have not been the most demo-
cratic individuals in the country In fact they have
possessed some autocraHc qualities and powers
which have classified them as leaders of the reac
tionaries,
Those people who keep posted on Washington af-
fairs are apt to see some unusual Developments at
this session Of the senate.
As the stalwarts are organized so are the insur-
gents.
And when the big four" attempt to dictate the
course Of government the insurgents are apt TO rise
and show their force
If the seniority rules hold as they have in the
past Warren Will be chairman Of the agriculture and
forestry. appropriations, military affairs. public
buildings and grounds committees He will also be
the rules committee
Penrose is slated for chairman of the naval af
fairs finance postoffice and postroads. and the ex
penditures in the department Of state committees
He will also be on the education, labor and immi-
grafton committees.
Lodge will be chairman Of the foreign relations
committee and viii be member Of the manufactures
naval affairs and finance committees.
smoot viii be the chairman Of the public lands
printing and expenses of the SEE committees, and
will be member of the appropriations finance pen
sions and civil service committees
All of which means that VIII Hayes. director Of
the republican policies, will have difficult lob on
his hands.
While the big four" senate leaders are asking for
continued power in their party councils the insur
gents are also claiming loudly that the Republican
party is not party Of reactionaries and that con-
sequenty the reaconaries should not be allowed to
dictate the Republican party's program and course.
The progressive wing Of the party, led by Borah,
Johnson, Norris and Kenyon, is as strenuousIv on
posed to Penroses in the senate as the INSURGENTS
few years ago were opposed to Cannonism in the
house
Just keep your eye toward Washington and Won
are very apt to some political sktrmishes which
win be interesting. Autocracy in the senate is fight
ing for It's very life. It that autocrats are
making their last stand all the world It seems
that an autocrat IS far from being popular with the
people. But that ageold desire for power is so fas
cnating that autocraey would not give it up without
a fight TO the last ditch
The interlocting directorate principle IN the SEN
ate is stiI in operation Under the old autocrattc
system so eeBt OF the membership is prohibited
rom participating in the consideration given To /
much Of the most important legislation. Senator |
Norris who has already spoken out In meeting saws.
'My resolution weuld make it impossible for this i
mali eoterie or senators to control the senaes con-
liberation Of the most important bills. Other mem
ers OF the senate besides those few would partici-
ate''- Peoria journal,