The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-11-20

chance II Mr.. Nevberry had
( sflred earlier but the IFS" Of the
- are not material now. The
,oftant fact is that Mr.. New
( IN has disposed Of : controversy
! La was hurting his party and
- was threatening ito delay
miaic business.
sfhe Democrats are naturally
teased that the fight which they
Z company with q group Of Repub-
IN progressives waged in the
\ raate has been successful but
4 - the resignation Of Mr.. New
nv will not make the Democrats
\ - that 1t was with Mr.. New
ny's vote that the Republicans
"a a majority Of one in the United
rates senate In the spring Of 1919,
"a that by that vote the Republi-
ans were able to organize the SEN
~ and put a majority of their own
number on all the important COM
nittees Had MIR. Newberry been
ousted or resigned three years ago
IN Democrats would have been
able to name the committee chair
man. Mr.. Lodge would not have
teen at the head of the senate for
elgn relations committee and the
Versailles treaty withsthe League
Of Nations covenant in it might
have received more friendly treat
ment in the senate. While opposi-
ton to the treaty developed later
even among the Democrats, the
chances are the organization of the
senate b. the Democratic party
would have prevented many hos
tile moves and President Wilson
might have been prevailed upon 10
compromise the issue on wnat he
considered embarrassing rescr-
yations.
Demos Are Pleased.
All this is history now, but the
Democrats will naturally make the
most of Senator Newberry's resig-
nation and join Mr.. LaFollette and
bis colleagues in the radical group
10 the framing of legislation to pre-
vent excessive expenditures.
1t will always be a matter Of
speculation as to whether Mr.. New
berry resigned because he was
sure 10 be deprived of his seat by
the congress just elected or be-
cause he was personally tired of a
controversy about an office which
he didn't seek in the first place ana
which has embarrassed so many
Of his close friends in the second
place. Hindsight is always better
than foresight but there are few
who will disagree that if Mr.. New
berry intended to resign his seat
al all the time to have done SO was
Immediately after he won the right
TO his place by margin of votes
in the senate. Having been vindi-
Gated from his viewpoint. he might
have retired gracefully and posi-
bly, saved Senator Townsend, an
other Republican. from defeat, and
deprived the Democrats of an is
sue in many states.
Coolidge Reads Resignation.
Washington, Nov. 20.-tBy the
Associated Press. Vice Presi-
dent Coolidge was expected to read
into the senate record today the
resignation of Truman H. Newber-
ry as senator for Michigan. For
warded to Governor Groesbeck OF
Michigan under date of Nov. IS
Mr., Newberry's resignation, to be-
come effective Immediately, was
made public here last night.
Although declaring in review
Of the bitter controversy over his
right 10 a senate seat since his
election over Henry Ford. four
years ago, that this right had been
fully confirmed, Ne. Newberry
said he had been impelled to re-
tire because his Republican col
league, Senator Townsend. was de-
feated November Z. In discussing
the controversy which was an is
sue in elections in many states
Mr.. Newberry expressed conviction
that fair analysis of the vote in
Michigan and other states will
demonstrate that a general feeling
Of unrest was mainly responsible. d
Further Service "Futile."
The present situation, however,
he said, rendered futile" further
service, since it meant he would
continue to be hampered by par
tisan political persecution" Should
future opportunity present itself,
Mr.. Newberry said. he would not
hesitate to offer himself to his state
and country.
Before the case passed as an is
sue into the recent campaign the
senate had upheld Mr.. Newberry's
Title to a seat by FIVE votes. but il
appeared the fight was again to be
resumed in this session.