New-York tribune., 1918-10-30
The Next Senate

Inc Donate became DGmOCrdJlC III
1912. In that year of schism the Pro-
gressive faction of the Republican party
carried six states and the Republican
faction two states. In a three-cornered
fight control of Congress and the Presi-
dency passed into the hands of the
minority party.
The Republican breach was not healed
in 1914. The Senate remained Demo
cratic. In 1916, however, it would have
become Republican again except for the
unexpected "he-kept pt-us-out- of war" fer
ment which developed in the states west
of the Mississippi. The Republicans lost
enough Senators in that region to make
valueless their gains in the East. But
the Democratic margin in the upper
house remained abnormal and accden-
tai. There are more naturally Republi-
can states in the Union than there are
naturally Democratic ones. That is why
President Wilson and the Democratic
campaign managers are so extremely
nervous about next weeks elections.
A glance at conditions in the Senate
will show what good cause there is for
this nervousness. There are at present
fifty 1.-TWO Democratic and forty-four Re-
publican Senators. The terms of thirty
two Senators expire and there will be
~ %
caused by death. The Republicans need
to gain only five seats to obtain major
ity.
In two states--Illinois and Kansas
Republican gains are almost certain.
New Hampshire is to elect two Senators
next week--one to fill out Mr. Calm
gers unexpired term, the other to sue
ceed Mr.. Hollis, an outgoing Democrat.
Mr.. Gallinger easily carried the state in
the last Senatorial election. In Idaho,
also normally Republican, a successor to
Senator Brady is to be chosen, his seat
being now occupied by temporary ap-
pointee, who is a Democrat.
In two more states-Delaware and
Nevada-there is an excellent chance for
Republican gains. Delaware is normally
Republican, although because of faction
al quarrels she now has two Democrats
in the Senate. Hughes carried the state
two years ago. Nevada is very close
politically. The Republican candidate
for Senator this year is Representative
Roberts, who had an easy victory in
1916, when running for the lower house,
although Mr.. Wilson got the electoral
vote. Roberts has been a candidate for
Congress many times and has never vet
lost an election.
The Republicans are facing stiff
fight in Rhode Island and in West Vir.
ginia. Peter Goelet Gerry, Democrat,
slipped into the Senate two years ago in
Rhode Island, in spite of the fact that
the electoral vote went to Hughes. In
West Virginia two years ago the Repub-
lican electoral ticket won and a Republi-
can Senator was elected Davis Elkins.
former Senator by appointment, son of
Senator Stephen B. Elkins and grand
son of Senator Henry G. Davis, is the
Republican candidate He is a major in
the army on service in France.
In Kentucky Governor Stanley, the
Democratic nominee, has excited much
hostility by his veto of an act passed
by the Legislature prohibiting the teach
ing of German in the schools. He
claims to have got the inspiration for
this veto from Philander B. Claxton, the
Federal Commissioner of Education.
Stanley will probably run behind the
normal Democratic vote. There is
long chance that he will be defeated.
The Democrats elected Senators two
years ago in New Mexico and Wyoming.
This year Senators Fall and Warren are
candidates for reelection Both are
strong with their constituencies and con-
ditions within the Republican party have
greatly improved in these states since
1916.
Balancing the close states, it will be
seen that there is natural trend toward
an enlargement of the Republican mem
bership of the Senate. 1t is that trend
which Mr.. Wilson and the Democratic