New-York tribune., 1920-10-30
By William Howard Taft

The people OF the United States have
already assured themselves Of the cleo
tion Of Mr.. Harding. The thoughts Of
those who are looking ahead to the
performance by him of the task which
lies before him are now directed to the
question what control the Republicans
Will have in the Senate
The great vote that VIII be certain
lor Mr. Harding assures Il large ma
lorlty IN the House Of presentatives
10 support ms Administration, bNt m
the Senate this is by no means so
. clear. Only one-third Of the Senate
IS to be elected this year, which is
tnlrty two. OF the thirty two who re
tired, fifteen are Republicans and
seventeen are Democrats. In addition
to TINS there are two Democratic
vacancies to be filled, which makes the
number Of Democrats TO be elected
nineteen. Of the nineteen, however, a
majority are in the Southern states.
There Is little or no hope that Re
publlcans may be substituted for them
The Republican majority in the pres
ent Senate is merely nominal. The vote
IS forty-nine Republicans and forty
seven Democrats. But when 1t is con
sldered that III that forty-nine Mr.. La
Follette IS counted Republican and
that the forty-nine also includes Mr
Norris sof Nebraska, and Mr. Johnson,
OF California, and Mr. Borah, of Idaho,
none Of whom has manifested particu-
lar party loyalty and who Mr. Borah
has assured us are not to be counted
3. following the Republicans Of the
finance committee in matters of taxa
/ tlOn, including the tariff The import
ance Of adding to the Republican ma
! Jority enough votes 10 secure Republic
can control becomes clear.
Conditions in the West
1t is necessary, therefore, in order
TO carry out Republican measures OF
reconstruction not only that additional
/ Republicans shall be elected but that
those who are seeking reelection shall
be retained
In campaign trip the writer has
visited Michigan, Indiana, Illinois,
Iowa and Utah In Michigan there is
no Senator to be elected this year. In
Indiana Mr. Watson, the present Sen
ator, is running against Thom4s Tag
part, who Was short time III the
Senate by appointment. There have
been reports from Indiana By CORE
spondents that the state is doubtful. as
TO the national ticket and still more
doubtful IS TO the Senate. The esti-
mates of conservative Judges, however,
do not Justify these doubts
There is no reason why Indiana
should not feel the tremendous trend
in favor Of the Republican ticket
which is apparent in the neighboring
states of Ohio, Illinois and Michigan
The chairman of the Republican State
Committee is confident that Indiana
Will give majority Of $4,000 and that
Mr.. Watson VIII fan but little behind
this Fractional differences in the Re
publican party Of the state have been
accorded too great effect and 1t has
been supposed. without foundation,
that the Governor and his supporters
would not give genuine assistance IN
securing the election of Mr.. Watson.
Mr. Watson opposed the retention OF
the present chairman OF the state COM
mttee because he was Goodrich man,
end was defeated in his effort to elect
another but this chairman is doing
very loyal and effective work.
Source of Detection Rumors
And the rumors Of detection from
Mr.. Wataon's candidacy are due raThe
to the expression Of anxious fears OF
Mr.. Watsons friends than 10 any real
cause.
MIR. Watson is one Of the best stump
sneakers in the United States, and
there is nothing in his candidacy and
his standing before the voters Of lndl-
ana that should. from him amy Of
those who expect to vote tor MI. mar
ding. On the other hand, Mr. lag-
CARTS wet proclivitles and the VIDE
spread impression that he has IN the
past been associated with and prohted
by 4 Monte Carlo at French Lick
Springs are likely TO arouse against
HIM a GOOD many of the women voters
of the state without regard to party
OF course. Mr.. Taggart has been before
the voters OF Indiana before, and these
charges are old ones, the constant use
Of which wears down their influence,
because in politics, as IN everything
else, novelty is an important element
in fixing public attention.
In Illinois the election of William
b. Mckinley, at present a Congressman
and the Republican candidate for Sen
ator. is assured He was on the Low
den primary ticket and defeated Frank
Smith, another Congressman. VINO was
supported by Mayor Thompson. But
this Democratic opponent IS not well
known and the factonal troubles in
that great state are not making them
selves felt in the Senatorial or Presi-
Dental canvass.
The Fight for Governor
The issue between the Republican
factions appears in the contest for
Governor between Len Small, eX-State
Treasurer and the candidate supported
in the general urinary by the Thomp-
son faction. against Governor Lowden' s
candidate, Lieutenant Governor Ogles-
by Mr. Small won by small majority
and he is not being backed by The
Chicago Tribune. which is supporting
the rest Of the Republican ticket. His
Democratic opponent is James Hamil-
ton Lewis, who The Chicago Tribune
is supporting and who is making an
extended canvass of the state.
John Marshal Harlan, son Of Mr.. Jus
tice Harlan, an effective StCNper has
announced himself as an Independent
candidate The reports. however. as to
the vote on the head of the ticket arc
so favorable to the Republicans and in
dicate such a large majority that the
> election is likely to he sweeping VIC
tory for the whole ticket. Certainly Mr.
Mckinley is not in danger.
In Iowa the railroad brotherhood
4 and Mr. Gompers are eXertilg al thoil
influence to defeat Senator Cummins
and to elect Ny Porter, the Democratic
candidate, because Of MIR Cummins'S
great service in putting through the
q Esch- Cummins bill A circular has been
sent to all the railroad workingmen in
the state signed by the presidents of
their brotherhoods, urging that rail
road men vote against Mr. Cummins