The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-01-29
REPUBLICANS HAVE
TROUBLES GALORE
No smooth Sailing in Prospect In
Reorganization of
Congress.

Was ington, Jan e7--The politi-
ehl situation with regard TO the or
ganizatinn next congress grows more
interesting and complicated as il be-
comes Increasingly more evident that
President Wilson will be compelled TO
convene the next congress in extra
fsession some time IN the early spring
For the first time in years, tho Re
publicans md themselves In the posi-
ton o. being forced 10 assume the
reins of responsibility without hav-
ing any particular relish for the Job
Senate and house leaders OF the
party, admit that a mistake now in
the organization Of the houses may
cost them dearly in the next presi-
dental contest. The organiza ton Is
quite as important as the legislative
program, which may be adopted when
both houses are ready for work.
This is particularly true when APP
ity rule. If adhered to. would place
in control of all the important senate
committees a selected coterie of sem
ators aligned with what is politely
referred to as the ."old guard"
The Progressives among whom
are such men as Borah, OF Idaho:
johnson, OF California; Kenyon. Of
Iowa: Norrie, of Nehras ska. CGmmins.
, of Iowa. and La Toilette and Lenroot.
of Wisconsin, would not have a lookIn.
Furthermore. il would place in the
craftsmanship OF the importan; com
l..ittee on finance, Senator Boise Pen
! rose, of Pennsylvania: who. Senator
! Borah says, would never do irl.a post
OF such responsibility
Penrose insists In reply to all in
situation that Borah IL unreservedly
opposed TO him. that he will head tho
committee just the anne. He is now
one OF the conferees working OF the
revenue bill
In the house the Republicans also
have their troubles.
Representative Mann, of Illinois.
who has been regarded as having the
inside track in the speakership. is ill
| again and It appear unlikely now
that ne will continue In the race.
His retirement would leave the fight
an open one between Gillett, OF Massa-
chusetts; Fess, of Ohio: Madden, OF
Illinois. and Mick" Iongworth. Of
Ohio
! Longworth is looked upon as A dark
horse and Democrats who have been
watching the fight from the side Zines
have told him ne could beat the other
! favoritee--Mann and Gillett.
Martin Madden, Of Illinois. would
! not be a candidate so long as there
was a chance for Mann to continue in
the race. But IL Mann retires Madden
will become an active candidate. This
would make 1t n three -cornered fight
! between Longworth. Fess and Madden
for the vote of the Central West and
the Western states. where IL is con-
coded the bulk OF the votes must be
obtained.
The Republicans will have a saf e
working majority in the house Of
about forty-eisht vote, so when the
speakership question is eettled they
will be able to announce their pre-
gram and get down to work Champ
Clark. the venerable and revered
speaker now rounding out his fourth
term. will become leader OF the Dem o
cratic minority.
The threat OF the Democrats in
+, the present senate to decide whether
or not Truman III. Newherry Is entitled
to be seated as senator from Michigan,
is disturbing the Republicans to some
extent in view OF the fact that they
will have a majority OF only two IN
the next senate. Should Newberry be
unseAted and Borah decline to act with
the Republicans In the matter of or
ganization especially with regard 10
Penrose, the vote would be a tie and
Vice. President. Marshall would cast
Esthe deciding vote.
This might present the strange
anomaly Of bipartisan organixa-
ton with Simmons. OF North Caro-
lima, Democrat, at the head of 'ht
finance committee, and other D5yno-
Gratis elected to their chairmanships OF
some of the important committees.