The Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 191?-19??, 1919-05-10
SEPUBLICANS HAVE
OWN TROUBLES NOW
Friction Among "Progrsssives" and
"standpattsrs" Di.quiets j
Party Leaders.


mocratic administration, Republican
leaders in Congress are now facing a
situation that is full of disquiet and
difficulties for themselves They are
so engrossed in finding way out of
their present troubles that they will
no longer have so much time to de-
vote to criticism Of the President.
The reaction which followed sena-
torial attacks on the league of ma
tins gave Republicans shock and a
fright. They have begun to back a.
way. The wisest are silent. None
is brave enough to continue the OPP
position. The Ground robin is as
dead as Cock Robin" Beautiful pic
torial limitations of the Declaration
of independence, printed and ciriu-
lated at great expense to create SEN
timent against the league, have been
withdrawn. Practically all of the lit
erature now in circulation to foster
hostility to a league is anonymous.
Then daily statements from Republi-
can Senators who employed press
agents to herald their opposition to
a league and assail the President are
growing fewer and feebler.
There is new cause for alarm in
the relations between the Progress
sives" and the Old Guard. Congress
men representing districts where
Progressive" sentiment is powerful
and assertive are receiving warn
ings against their affiliating with the
"standpatters." There is fear of a
clash when Senators Lodge, Smoot
and Penrose try to organize the SEN
ate along reactionary lines.
Harmony Not In Sight.
When Congress adjourned, "Pro-
gressives" and members Of the Old
Guard were fraternizing. Senator
Penrose and Senator LaFollette, for
instance, rode down from the Capitol
in the formers big red automobile af-
ter the gavel fell. 1t was commended
that the opposition to Senator Pen
rose as chairman Of the finance com
mittee had ceased. Everything seem
ed lovely. But then came the muir
murs from the folks "back home
Progressive" Senators were caution.
ed to beware of the "standpatters. >
Clifford Pinchot raised a hue and cry
against Penrose and all his works
and pomps. Congressman Longwortl
gave aid and comfort to the fight
against the reactionaries on the va
rious committees in the House Of
Representatives.
But it appears that those warn
ings and protests are fruitless. Tit
Old Guard will organize the Senat,
and dominate the SixtysSixth Con
gress. Most of the "Progressives,
realize that their utilization with thu
"standpatters" will condemn. them al
home. But to remain aloof from the
Old Guard will deprive the "Progres
sives" of power and prestige and pa
tronage. The promises of chairman
ships and other preferments are yer!
tempting.
NepuDnC8hS NOW NCSPOublOAcs
In the last Congress the Republi
, cans could sit in judgment on Demo
cratic activities. Their responsible
; ty was only that of minority. The!
could obstruct and critic and dis
credit almost as much as they chos
so much as they gave a fair impress
, sion of patriotism. So they mad
the most of their opportunities. The,
| loudly commanded Committee Of
, the conduct of the war" Then the,
urged a "war cabinet" Next the,
pleaded for a secretary of aircraft.
Then in turn they wanted "ministe
of munitions" and a minister o
, transportation" All these proposals
it was represented, were to "help tn
President" But the speeches mad
t in favor of them were filled wit
luminosity and partisanship.
None of these additional agencie
was established, and yet the war wa
, won. America received large shar
9 of the credit for ending fighting ths
r was costing millions Of lives. Amel
lean casualties were relatively few
!. The management of all the depar
ments that put and maintained A
100000 men in the army and nav
!. was incomparably better than an
+ other in history. Not only the pc,
f pie of the United States, but thos
of all the other countries in the We
S more particularly Germany-kno
). that.
r Finally, after unproductive el
deavors to hamper the President
d conducting the war, Republics
e leaders in Congress began to hamp,
i him in concluding peace. They o
? posed league of nations and ga
ie aid and comfort to those beligeren
% which favored the old system of usiI
l. victory as means of spoliation. B
4 the people of Europe and the Peep
m of the United States have COMPEL,
70 acceptance of President Wilson's pl;
here and abroad.
al Now that responsibility for leg
TX lation in critical period of the cou
,e try's history is placed on their oy
= ,bo,,lJa,.c par,1 h1icanq in Conorre