Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-12-17
Democratic Leadership

IRON time to time reports Of dissatisfac-
ton with Senator Underwood as leader
OF the Senate minority have come out OF
Washington. A piece of special correspond
ence carried In the columns of Tho Times
Dispatch Friday. leaves the agreea bic I'M
preston that the rumors of revolt were only
rumors after all and without more subst an
''ai basis than feeling of vexation here
ana there over the Alabaman's readiness
10 cooperate with the administration. THE
whole affair was more or less a tempest in
teapot. we read: and 1.-The upshot of it
all is that no caucus seems likely at the
present time" Senator Underwood so the
story goes, was ready to call a caucus, and
surrender the post of party leader without
struggle This expression from him ap-
Parehtly has cleared the atmosphere, dis
ciosing The meagerness and irresoution of
the opposition
Whatever lack Of satisfaction with Under
wood leadership may exist arises from con-
saoerations largely, if not wholly, unrelated
u the broad policies of the Democratic
party. IT proceeds in part from the feeling
that Underwoods methods are too quiet and
unaggressive; in part from annoyance over
Els readiness to work on terms of friend
iiness with the Harding administration. In
snort, those who question his fitness want
what they call lighting leader"
There are diverging conceptions OF what
constitutes ideal qualities in a congressional
leader. II is to be said in behalf of the
types exemplifed by Senator Underwood that
ms own public career has done much to
1ahe IL popular. Without going in for
pyrotechnics or denunciation, he has man
aged to put in some mighty effective ticks
lot MS party and his country, both in the
House and in the Senate, both as an indi-
vidual working member and as a shrcwd.
oienihed and untiring leader. The real test
OF leadership, in Congress or out of Con-
sress, is not methods but results: Under
WOOD methods have never been spectacular.
Dht underwood results have been substan
tial
mere Is room for perfectly honest diff
ference OF opinion concerning the adyisabi1i
- OF Mr' underwood's acceptance OF a place
IN the conference on ornaments hut Z, is
difficult TO understand how the ASSUMPTION
o, that position has made him a defaulter
on the responsibilities of his post within tho
party. newspaper readers will recall re
marx created 10 the Alabama Senator at
'he 'ime OF his acceptance; party lines he
A"iu IN erect should not be permitted TO
e.teho beyond the three-mile zone That is
10 say, he does not regard the prohlems NJ
inc washington conference as legitimate
sources OF domestic political issues. He
taxes the view held by at least few mil
non intelligent Americans during the league
o. hauona' night that few things are moro
fepFehensible than the injection OF partisan
poAtcs into the handling OF matters pri-
manly affecting our relations with the res,
o, the world
20 occasion for a falling out among
'EAocratc Senators can be found in Sen
-So' Lhce'"oot's connection with the con-
S'eAc=. Hs iS there-and he insists upon
.aE me same OF his associates of the
2ik .D0F NOT as party man, but as an
statesman In the Senate such
|tbirtA.s as may come from the conference
tnoEh De accepted or rejected as tbev
1i+1,e. or offend the principles. not tho noli.
10, .. me Individual members.