The Ocala banner., 1922-06-30
FAIR AND WARM ER


The opening week was for the mo
ment fairer with political sunshine for
the Republican picnic, the tempered
breeze more redolent of balm and
blossom; but the barometer is still
in variable" and trembling toward
"a fall It will be wise for the Elder
Statesmen to enjoy the respite while
It lasts.
First of all, there was --aine. Not
that there was ever any danger of de-
feat for Senator Hale. but it is a CON-
fort, after a series of primary reverses
each more disastrous than the last, to
find one State standing fast and stand
ing pat, ready to stamp with it's ap-
proval the entire party programme,
with an especially approving eye Of
thrift upon the ship subsidy. The an
ticipated victory of Senator Kellogg
in Minnesota was another CHEEKY
note. Mr. Kellog was once enough
of a Progressive to appeal still to
mildly dissatisfied members of the
party, and he is now enough of an
Old Guard adherent to be handy in
Washington To crafty those who
must have good and bad luck run in
groups of three, Samuel W. McCalrs
statement that he never had any in
tention of seeking Mr. Lodges Senate
seat is grateful to lovers of party
peace.
Procedure for the next two months
in Congress has been decided upon.
Senator McCumber, who has an i'm
pending primary upon his hands and
mind, made gallant stand to have the
bonus take the right of line. But
with the super-lobbyists guiding
Juggernaut, it is useless for DIR. Nc
Cumber or any one else to throw his
devoted body in the path, uttering
piteous cries and hoping against hope
for miracle of mercy. The G.. o. P.
may be assailed by signs and portents,
beset by doubts and fears. The Best
Minds may be at loggerheads. But
where the tariff is concerned there is
no lack of oil to soothe or coal to urge
the faithful old steam-roller.
So the bonus waits The Legion is
resigned" like the gentleman on his
death-bed, it has TO be. There is
promise from the minority of an oc-
casional attempt to upset on behalf
of the bonus the decision that the
tariff shall have the floor, but it is no
light matter for any one not, like
Mr.. La Toilette, recognized nave
rick, to defy the caucus herd-riders.
In this temporary shelving of the
bonus is seen the influence of Presi-
dent Harding, who has never ceased to
demand that no Bonus Bill shall be
passed that does not carry tax that
shall pay the cost In the spirit of COM
promise Mr.. Harding agrees that his
favorite ship-subsidy measure shall
go over, perhaps until August. 1t was
natural in the circumstances that Sen
ator Edge should remind his colleagues
that the President is the most valu-
able asset of the party. 1t is the truth.
Throughout the country Mr.. Harding's
prestige and popularity, how
ever they may have declined from the
high hark of Election Day, shine by
comparison with the kind of Congress
he has ION his hands," as Grover
Cleveland tersely put it.
The path is clear, though tortuous
and hedged with pearls. Barring ac-
cidents and the unforeseen, Congress
k @,ws what lies before it for the next
few weeks. The tariff, the bonus, the
subsidy, have their place in line. What
the people may think of the precious
trio-that is another matter 1t is a
reflection to chill the blood even in a |
lull of fair and warmer weather. There
may be more sudden thunder-storms
in the primaries SOON And cold and |
keen may be the November wind for
many statesmen who have taken part
IN this midsummer love-feast of har-