Norwich bulletin., 1920-03-24
WASHINGTON AFFAIRS
Especial to The Bulletin.l

Washington, D. C.. March 23.-Watch your step-is to be the slogan for both political parties in congress from now to adjournment, which is tentatively fixed for early June, so all who de- sire may attend the two great na- tional conventions. Party control in the senate is held by the narrow mar gin of two republican votes. Next No- vember 32 senators are to be elect ed in as many states for terms of six years each. That makes one third of the senate come up for election, be- sides any vacancies to be filled which may occur by death or resignation in the meantime. The swing of the pen dulum need be but very slight to bring the senate back into democratic con trol. It is not likely the situation will remain exactly as now so one or the other of the two parties will unqueS- tionably increase it's senate member ship which means added majority for the republicans or return to demo- cratic control Should there be tie election-that is, should the 96 sena- tors be equally divided in party poli- tics, the deciding vote would fre- quently rest on the vice president. The new senate does not come into pow CT until new president takes office the fourth of March, so the political complexion of the vice president can- not be determined until after the No venber election. There are fifteen re- publicans and eighteen democrats now occupying seats in the senate who will come up for reelection or election of successors in November. Already the wheels of the senate and house com mittees having oversight of the com ing campaign for their respective par ties are turning friskey and both sides may look for old fashioned steam roller methods to keep the parties in line, if it becomes necessary.
 | Side steps that may impair party solidarity are drowned upon by con- 1 gressional leaders of both parties. : There will be three or four things, 1 however, that it is hopeless to count i on as keeping within party lines. They are prohibition, the league of na- 1 tions, the aftermath of woman suf- 1 frage and labor vote, and military 1 training. On those each man has his
 own decided opinion. It will be i'm 1 possible to get men to follow the plat
 form which may be laid down in ad- vance by party leaders. Wet men will ] not stand the dust raised by the rig 1 i'd enforcement act; dry men won't l wade through policy of light wines l and beer: the league will split party
 ranks wide open, and as to the woman | vote, no one can foresee where it will land Hundreds of thousands of
 women will cast their ballots and ii is not in the political forecast that they will abide by. party lines.
 | Suffragists have already announced 1 their intention to vote against can didates who opposed tRem. Antis fee I just as keen a resentment for candi- dates who drew them into the position
 of voters; and the labor question 1 grows more formidable every day. Al
 of which has put congress on the aler
 not to stir up any more strife, ant
 an early adjournment is looked to to
 keep further vexed questions out O l. the path. Then, too. the great ques Ii ton of universal military training vii not be overlooked when presidentia ' candidates range themselves up befor' $ election
 : Ten of the eighteen democrats who's : terms expire come from the so -calle, solid south, and there is but little ex pectation of cutting into those states
 These elections are due in Kentucky
 Louisiana. Florida, Oklahoma, Vir ginia, Arkansas, North Carolina
 Georgia, and Alabama. The othe = eight come from debatable ground ;, Take Oregon for instance. Senate : Chamberlain, democrat, has a yer n strong hold on his people and more ', ! over Chamberlain is very much like t. 4 and respected by the republicans u congress. It is doubtful if anythin s more than a half hearted effort wi Il be made to defeat hin-and still nor
 doubtful if his defeat could be accom- e plished under any circumstances, al : though he is not high in presidentis T favor, on account of his independer - views.
 Ill The other debatable states no, s sending democrats whose terms ex - pire, are Nevada, California Colorad /. South Dakota, Maryland, Arizona an U Idaho. On the whole the outlook fc e 8 republican gain in the senate is cor h sidered very good. It is not regarde s as possible they will lose out in u
 states of Vermont Iowa, Kansa: h North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Illinois ;+ and Connecticut, but New Hampshil .' and New York are ranked as close ar > even doubtful. by some of the effici d forecasters. The doubtful states, at re Ohio, Indiana, Utah, Missouri, ar SC Washington. But in these the repul as licans are hoping to hold their ON r. and perhaps gain, having in mind r - cent republican successes in Kentucl u which heartened them tremendousl n The vexed question of anything like er reliable forecast is greatly hampers le by the uncertainty of the woman vol ss (which will be very large, if suffrage Sa ratified before the November electio os Politicians out here are standing ha 9s in hand, before prospective wom IL voters and kow-tow low as they pa or by.
 as In the house, Congressman Fe, ce chairman of the republican congre
 sional committee predicts a big ga
 that will run the majority from Al
 to 90 On the other hand demoera
 house leaders predict the tide will tu an in their direction before Nevemb
 and that they will regain control.
 fact the tempting bait of again | to coming speaker was held out
 Champ Clark as an inducement to
 main in the house rather than run 1 D. the senate. Republicans are out ad gain everything in sight, however.
 Massa sachusetts they are making g sI
 cia1 drive at the Seventh distr
 which Phelan, democrat, now repl or sents. That is the home district h. Senator Lodge and they are looki u- for his direct or indirect help
 carry them along, counting on his T,
 ord as senate leader to have mt It weight.
 heI There was some talk that the r mt Massachusetts district would De
 over to the republican line but Rit
 ard Olney, democrat, now represent
 it is both popular with his repuf U can colleagues in the house and W me his republican constituency at hol jet so there is little to be but little if 2
 special effort to get his seat. Tn
 was talk of a big effort to capture